Noah Way Farm
Songster
Hi - wondering if anyone can offer any insight here. I have a flock of cochins ranging in age from 11 - 15 weeks. These have been very robust chicks. They were moved outside to the main coop about 3 weeks ago. They were started on layer feed last week.
This morning, my husband went out and found one of my two barred pullets talking to God. He rushed her in, and she was pale, cold and dehydrated, laying on her side, eyes closed. I immediately gave her warmed subcutaneous fluids, some karo syrup, and a b12 injection. A short time later, I gave her some baytril and some albon, and applied some frontline, to cover all my bases.
She has steadily improved throughout the day, is now standing and eating some eggs and chick starter.
However, at afternoon check, we found the other barred pullet in the same condition. This one we couldn't save, she died within minutes of being found. She appeared normal this morning, and seemed to be eating, but she too was very thin, and had an empty crop.
There are about 30 birds in that coop. We checked each one individually, all were good weight and full crops.
Is there any reason anyone can think of why both barred hens were affected, and no one else? There is a barred cockerel, and he seems fine. All of these birds came from the same source, and were between 1 day and 2 weeks old when I got them. The barred birds were actually kept in two different brooders in the same room before going out to the main coop together.
I have noted nothing at all abnormal with the surviving pullet except extreme weight loss - no diarrhea, no respiratory signs, she isn't neurologic and I have checked her over really thoroughly for parasites.
Is it possible some bird has taken a dislike to the barred birds and was chasing them off the food? It just seems so odd for both to go down on the same day.
I have not been out to the coop in a couple weeks myself due to a badly sprained ankle, but my husband hasn't noted anything unusual going on in terms of behavior.
Thoughts anyone?
This morning, my husband went out and found one of my two barred pullets talking to God. He rushed her in, and she was pale, cold and dehydrated, laying on her side, eyes closed. I immediately gave her warmed subcutaneous fluids, some karo syrup, and a b12 injection. A short time later, I gave her some baytril and some albon, and applied some frontline, to cover all my bases.
She has steadily improved throughout the day, is now standing and eating some eggs and chick starter.
However, at afternoon check, we found the other barred pullet in the same condition. This one we couldn't save, she died within minutes of being found. She appeared normal this morning, and seemed to be eating, but she too was very thin, and had an empty crop.
There are about 30 birds in that coop. We checked each one individually, all were good weight and full crops.
Is there any reason anyone can think of why both barred hens were affected, and no one else? There is a barred cockerel, and he seems fine. All of these birds came from the same source, and were between 1 day and 2 weeks old when I got them. The barred birds were actually kept in two different brooders in the same room before going out to the main coop together.
I have noted nothing at all abnormal with the surviving pullet except extreme weight loss - no diarrhea, no respiratory signs, she isn't neurologic and I have checked her over really thoroughly for parasites.
Is it possible some bird has taken a dislike to the barred birds and was chasing them off the food? It just seems so odd for both to go down on the same day.
I have not been out to the coop in a couple weeks myself due to a badly sprained ankle, but my husband hasn't noted anything unusual going on in terms of behavior.
Thoughts anyone?