Some in our flock is going crazy and foaming at the mouth

[The Yakima Kid]

It seems birds may have antibodies to rabies; whether or not they get the disease itself isn't clear in the article.

http://www.jwildlifedis.org/cgi/reprint/12/3/392.pdf

 

[BackToMyRoots]

Hmm...let's pretend that rabies doesn't exist so we don't get stuck on one solution. What else could it be? Is this the kind of thing that could come from microscopic mold spores in the feed? Could it be botulism? I think I recall hearing something about that being a problem with some puddles and compost piles, and the bacteria from botulism do create neurotoxins that cause similar symptoms in humans. What does chicken botulism look like? Just some thoughts from a newbie

 

[Matt A NC]

Quote:
Those are some of the exact symptoms of botulism, but also that of other toxins.

Matt

 

[welasharon]

There's no where they could have gotten into rat poison or poisoned rat droppings, is there?
sharon

 

[Afrochicken]

wow thats really scary. i think its rabies/toxins. good luck!

 

[Mrs. BJ Hensley Jr.]

my critters get white foamy stuff when they're dehydrated. Sometimes its so hot they wont leave their shady spot even to get a drink so i moved their water.

 

[The French Hen]

Do you have Buffo Toads.......we, do and very deadly to dogs...had to rush one to the vet and just made it to save her life.

see: http://www.healthyhomesforkidsandpets.com/articles/bufo.html maybe they affect chickens too !!!

 

[thegoldengirls]

So sorry for your situation.
Sounds like they all had a very traumatic experience. Could be a combination of things related to the attack. If they are totally stress, they may not drink or eat which may lead to the dehydration and foaming. Also, it may be something that was left when the dogs were dumped. If someone was trying to get rid of them, they could have also thrown out food which could have either been tainted or just gone bad. We caught someone dumping kittens near our place, and they left a pile of cat food with them. After a day or so, it got nasty.
I would look around for something they all may have had access too. The toad seems plausible, but that means they all would have had to catch one.
Lots of water.
Wish you lots of luck with saving the rest of your flock.

 

[BackToMyRoots]

I don't have much knowledge to add, so I'm sending healing thoughts instead. I hope your flock recovers soon!