Sick Hens

[ggrap]

Hello. I have about 50 hens, all 2 or 1 yr olds. Over the past week I noticed 4 of them lying down a lot acting lethargic. One of them sounded like it had raspy breathing.

In between they would act fine. This morning raspy breather was found dead in coop. Two of the others will not get up, and I noticed a little blood around one of their beaks. The fourth is running around like there is not a problem in the world.

Everyone else seems fine so far.

Coop has dirt floor with pine shavings, pine needles and fall leaves in there as bedding. It is a little dusty, but not bad. I have been trying the deep litter and coop smells better. There is some concentrated manure under the perches. Ventilation is pretty good, and it hasn't been very hot and dry yet at all.

I have never really had a worming program and wonder about that, but haven't had a problem in 10 yrs (that I know of).

Anyone have ideas?

Thanks

 

[Judy]

Can you have your vet do a fecal exam for worms?

 

[Celtic Chick]

There are a lot of respiratory diseases that chickens can get. Quarrantine the sick ones immediately, or you could lose them all!
Here's a link to chicken diseases & symptoms.
http://www.raising-chickens.org/chicken-ailments.html

Air Sac Disease
Cholera (chronic)
Infectious Bronchitis
Infectious Coryza
Infectious Laryngotracheitis
Influenza (bird flu)
Newcastle Disease