Silkie illness

[bonnieks68]

Thanks for the help. I think (pray) that it was an isolated incident. The rest of the gang seem OK.

Is it OK to put the A.C. vinegar in the water all the time to keep parasites away? A few drops to a water bottle? I also think I'll put tobacco in the bedding to keep the mites & lice away.

Thanks again. Bonnie

 

[MoodyChicken]

Yes, you can definitely put the ACV in the water every day. Put one tablespoon per gallon water. Add some cayenne pepper too to keep respiratory diseases at bay. Be careful with the tobacco, while it may keep the pests away, it can also make your birds really really sick and potentially kill them.

 

[bonnieks68]

I appreciate the advice. I've not been putting enough ACVinegar in the water. I actually made a cinnamon & ACV liquid that I've been putting in the water. I should be using cayenne instead?

I never did get the tobacco so I'll just pass on that. It's hard enough keeping them healthy without adding potentially dangerous substances to their daily life.

My large barred rock that was in with the Silkie hen that died is having diarrahae now but doesn't seem sick. She does not like roosters taking advantage of her & had been living segregated from the rooster & other chicken we already had until we got the 9 new ones & put 4 in with her. I noticed once last week & yesterday that the Silkie rooster goes after her & Randallette lays in the dirt like she's dead & he pecks at her neck - enough to draw blood yesterday my husband said. Do you think the stress of Romeo's advances are making Randallette stressed to the point of the runs? She absolutely wants nothing to do with males & I think will die first before she gives in. Thanks for all your help.

 

[MoodyChicken]

Cinnamon or cayenne, they both work very well.

That's possible. Animals frequently respond to stress in the form of diarrhea, so that could be it. Try clipping the roo's spurs and make a saddle for the hen, or separate them. Also, mix some whey powder in their feed to help with the diarrhea and give them probiotics too. Keep watching the flock for other symptoms though.

 

[bonnieks68]

Thanks very much for all your help Courtney!

I remembered, that I give the chickens hot peppers from my plant when I have too many to use & they seem to like them. I think I'll do that more often. I've increased the ACV to the correct amount. I have to get more food so I think I'll add the whey powder when I do. The diarrahae is occassional so hopefully it's an isolated occurence.

I'll have to look into the clipping of the spurs - my husband was attacked while working in the cage not too long ago & would appreciate them being gone. What's a "saddle" for a chicken?

Chickens sure are a lot of worry - one of my girlies now has a torn comb but, from what I've read here, it seems it's not too much of an issue if it stays semi attached - and isn't bleeding. I'll keep an eye on it & cut it off if needed. I sprayed it with a grapefruit seed extract wound spray I got at the health food store when we had a 'coon attack that killed 2 birds but the rooster, although only 12 wks at the time, survived the horrific attack. He was so freaked out after the incident (quit cockadoodling for 2 months) that I was only able to spray the medicine as he ran by but he healed up very nicely so I think I'll use it on the comb issue for now. I know that citrus isn't good for them to eat but it seems not to be an issue in the healing spray - any thoughts on this? I did look for something specifically for critters instead of people but they had warnings that offspring could be deformed or have cleft pallets so I figured that had to be some pretty bad stuff.

Thanks again. Bonnie

 

[dszanyi]

Hi!  I sure need some help.  I've had several chickens for a few years but just got some 4-H exotics @ the fair last month.  2 days ago I noticed my little white Silkie Juliet was acting weird.  Since she was new, I was way too slow in figuring out she was sick.  I got some advice yesterday but she died anyway during the night.  I was told she had what, in the pigeon world, is referred to as "going light."  He picked her up & purged fluid from her little body.  He said she was all bones.  I've read that Asthenia (going light) can be infectious but usually is more of a symptom of something else - but of what?!?  I separated her as soon as I figured out she was sick but I'm worried about my other chickens now.  Juliet was not eating, would only drink if the water was flowing out of the hose, had diarrahae, was making almost no peeps, walking like a woman with a bad belly ache, sitting by herself & very weak.  I gave her wheat germ oil twice yesterday - and she did a good job drinking it but was too weak to open her mouth for her evening dose.  I prayed to save her but she was in such bad shape, she passed during the night - she won't suffer now but she will be missed.  I noticed my huge Barred Rock had diarrahae today but I don't know if it's related.  Any ideas on how to protect the rest of the flock would be greatly appreciated.  Is there any healthy suggestions for preventative medicine - i.e. wheat germ oil in the water...?  Ever hear of aspirin in their water to cure what ails them?  Thanks very much.  Bonnie

 

[dszanyi]

So sorry about your little silkie. Your post has help me as my little silkie is displaying the same signs.. I am so scared for her. Ill put the cider vinegar in her water. Do you have any other suggestion that. Might use to save her.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

i need some help by someone that knows about chicken anatomy. I lost my pure little Powder yesterday. Not sure of the time of death. At 14:00 I opened her, removing the Brest plat and skin to see organs in place. The liver was large but not exsisive, color washed out, I assume that this was do to being refrigerated. Intestines were, I am sure, functioning will. However, the heart was in a sack of water/fluid. When I have butchered wild game, I scooped in interals out. If there was a water sack around the heart, I have never seen one. In human the heart surrounded by water is not a good thing! Is this a sign of heat stroke? She had one small egg about 2 finger widths from vent fully formed. There was 1 egg yoke started. I stopped here. I did not believe I would learn anything from the eggs. I have no idea about the lungs, they were pink and wet. Possibly they had water in them, I did not expect them to be so moist.

Question, did she die of the heat, or was she sick and the heat finished her?

 

[fabfarm]

I'd say she was sick and the heat finished her respitory problems maybe I lost a bird too coco same symptoms.....I am so sorry about your chicken