Something is killing my chickens......

[moonladyisis]

Some people lose birds to fertilizer. The birds peck up the pellets and over time it builds up and eventually kills them. That’s a thought too. Or any kind of pesticides or herbicides being used could be suspect.

Only fertilizer on the farm is composted horse manure.

E coli is a bacteria. The fact that you have standing water can also contribute greatly to E coli outbreaks. Every symptom you have mentioned points directly to E coli. First and most important is to clean their coop and the surroundings as good as you can. You need to use a good disinfectent and if it can be mixed with bleach mix in bleach with the disinfectand and thoroughly spray down the area. Make sure to replace all bedding as well. Giving them Corrid at this point isn't going to help. You need to be treating them with with chlortetracycline . One name for this drug is Aureomycin. Also be sure to give the chickens lots of probiotics. This is extremely important any time you are treating them with any antibiotics or even corid. The probiotics will also help them resist the E coli.
You should do every thing you can to get the area where they are dried up. There are a few products on the market, like stall dry that will help absorb some moisture. Then be sure to clean and disinfect their waterers and add some chlorine and some titratbable iodine to the water.
You can vaccinate against E coli but if your chickens are already weakened by it it probably won't be effective.

Here is the weird part: Their coop stays dry and is bedded with wood shavings, cleaned weekly. The attached run is on raises ground and gets wet, but doesn’t hold water. It’s the REST of the property and where they free range. At this point, I don’t know if I should add the oxytetracycline to their water and keep them with that as their sole water source and assume all are infected or treat as they show symptoms. The sulfa drugs (Bactrum) that the avian vet prescribed didn’t work on the one bird, oxytetracycline didn’t work on the next. I did find baytril and if any others get sick, they will get that right off the bat.

 

[moonladyisis]

E coli is a bacteria. The fact that you have standing water can also contribute greatly to E coli outbreaks. Every symptom you have mentioned points directly to E coli. First and most important is to clean their coop and the surroundings as good as you can. You need to use a good disinfectent and if it can be mixed with bleach mix in bleach with the disinfectand and thoroughly spray down the area. Make sure to replace all bedding as well. Giving them Corrid at this point isn't going to help. You need to be treating them with with chlortetracycline . One name for this drug is Aureomycin. Also be sure to give the chickens lots of probiotics. This is extremely important any time you are treating them with any antibiotics or even corid. The probiotics will also help them resist the E coli.
You should do every thing you can to get the area where they are dried up. There are a few products on the market, like stall dry that will help absorb some moisture. Then be sure to clean and disinfect their waterers and add some chlorine and some titratbable iodine to the water.
You can vaccinate against E coli but if your chickens are already weakened by it it probably won't be effective.

Where do you get the Aureomycin? I can’t get it without VFD here and no local vets are willing to give one for a small, local flock.

 

[chicken danz]

https://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/...ons-and-treatments/528-aueromycin-powder-6-oz
This is not the company I normally order meds through but this one has it. The reason these meds are restricted now is because they are used on animals used for meat. Pigeons aren't considered meat. Sometimes parrot supplies will have these type medications as well.
Don't forget to treat the drinking water with chlorine and titratable iodine as well. Since the E coli is flourishing there you need to treat all the chickens in that coop and keep them confined in the pen, and give them lots of probiotics, plus disinfecting daily to keep conditions as clean as possible for them. Otherwise you will loose them all and or you might infect your other group of chickens.

 

[Jrose]

E Coli may be the bacteria present, and may be what is eventually killing them. But E Coli will not flourish in a healthy body without there being a stress factor. Something is allowing this bacteria to flourish in their systems. And since it's not because they're standing knee-deep in sewage, then they are being exposed to something very stressful. Their immune systems are not about to fight it- and a healthy bird should have no trouble fighting the odd bit of bacterial exposure.

Just my $.02. Treat the E Coli, yes, but to me it would be imperative to find out WHY the birds are being killed by a bacterial infection so further infection and death can be stopped.

 

[moonladyisis]

I just dropped some suspicious matter off at the state lab for an organic compounds screening. I found what looked like chicken feed with a strange purple substance mixed it that had a strong chemical smell. I will update when the screening comes back and with any new information. The lab was so suspicious, they are sending the sample to a lab out of state.

 

[lilmillefleur]

Wow, I wonder what happened! I'm going to watch this one! Good luck and I hope you find an answer.

 

[moonladyisis]

Lab results from the University of Pa came back positive for an inorganic compound. My suspicions were correct, we also have video evidence. Animal control/the county is handling the criminal/animal abuse side of things while my lawyer handles the civil side. I can’t give too many details, but I will say that if you have suspicious neighbors, security cameras work great.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Lab results from the University of Pa came back positive for an inorganic compound. My suspicions were correct, we also have video evidence. Animal control/the county is handling the criminal/animal abuse side of things while my lawyer handles the civil side. I can’t give too many details, but I will say that if you have suspicious neighbors, security cameras work great.

Wow, I would involve the police as well and bring the hammer down on the neighbor. I would not leave criminal charges to animal control. Keep us updated.

Gary

 

[lilmillefleur]

Glad you figured it out. I hope those neighbors get sorted out.

 

[moonladyisis]

Our animal control is county sheriffs, so they are attached to the police. Very handy in situations like this. I will keep you all updated!