Staggering, sitting, falling over, yellow runny poop - what is it?

[cokid]

So just this afternoon I noticed two of my Buff Orpingtons with the symptoms in the title. They can walk reasonably well, but frequently stagger, and occasionally "sit down" or fall over. Both also have runny yellow poop - almost entirely liquid and borderline explosive. Nothing showing around their vents or or butts, relatively clean there. They don't seem particularly lethargic or depressed, but possibly not moving around as much as usual.

Based on this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-loosing-balance-tail-down-stands-alot.1665470/ I tried to give them some electrolytes and mushy boiled egg and feed. We tried to use dropper to get electrolytes in them, but were only marginally successful. I've read several threads and getting a LOT of ideas, but nothing very definitive. They are about 2.5 - 3 years old, and still laying so far as I know (at least until recently). I don't really keep track of which birds are laying and which aren't! They are in a large henhouse - about 12x24, with a 4x8 coop housing another 9 birds. They have a 30x30 outside run as well. I will admit I don't keep the coop as clean as I should, so it's certainly possible they picked up something there.

So far I've isolated them (together) along with the food mix and water with electrolytes. I've also cleaned the coop (yes, the horse already left the barn, but it can't hurt). Obviously hoping my other birds don't get it, whatever it is!

HELP! Any ideas very welcome. Should I start them on antibiotics? Probiotics? I am pretty certain I have no local experts to rely on, so hoping I can find some here.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I noticed two of my Buff Orpingtons with the symptoms in the title.

Staggering, sitting, falling over, yellow runny poop - what is it?​

They can walk reasonably well, but frequently stagger, and occasionally "sit down" or fall over. Both also have runny yellow poop - almost entirely liquid and borderline explosive.

They don't seem particularly lethargic or depressed, but possibly not moving around as much as usual.

They are about 2.5 - 3 years old, and still laying so far as I know

Welcome To BYC

Can you get a video of their actions? Upload video to Youtube and provide a link.

Photos of both hens and their poop?

With 2 of them with similar symptoms - what have they been eating, have they had access to compost, moldy feed, maggots, etc.?

When was the last deworming?

Are they getting to food/water o.k. and not other birds are keeping them from eating or bullying them?

Do you have a rooster?

I'd focus on getting them hydrated. Electrolytes or sugar water are fine. Wet soupy feed is good.

Are they new to you or have you brought in new birds recently?
Changed feed or bedding? How old is the feed?

 

[cokid]

Welcome To BYC

Can you get a video of their actions? Upload video to Youtube and provide a link.

Photos of both hens and their poop?

With 2 of them with similar symptoms - what have they been eating, have they had access to compost, moldy feed, maggots, etc.?

When was the last deworming?

Are they getting to food/water o.k. and not other birds are keeping them from eating or bullying them?

Do you have a rooster?

I'd focus on getting them hydrated. Electrolytes or sugar water are fine. Wet soupy feed is good.

Are they new to you or have you brought in new birds recently?
Changed feed or bedding? How old is the feed?

Thanks for the reply! I hadn't fully joined last night so I thought this post hadn't actually posted - unfortunately I posted another one a few minutes ago before I saw this, I'll try to delete that.

I'll try to get video shortly. I still have them confined to a crate for now, until I get a separate fenced area set up. No compost, other than the dirt floor of their henhouse (not really compost, but lots of poop ground into dirt of course). The feed is run of the mill Purina Layers. Fresh bag as of a few days ago. I do feed table scraps, primarily veggies, nothing other unusual lately. No they're not getting bullied, yes I do have a rooster. Haven't seen any maggots, nor even many flies this summer. No changes other than integrating the pullets with the bigger flock a couple weeks ago. A couple days ago I did start using a hanging feeder I had in the henhouse, switching from an outdoor feeder, but the hanging one was only slightly dusty at the bottom - nothing much. I did switch back this morning, just in case. Oh, and I've never had them dewormed! Honestly didn't even know that was a thing.

This morning they do seem a little better. I'm feeding the mushy feed and diced hard-boiled egg, they are eating well, and drinking the sugar/soda/salt water. I did not see any fresh poop so far this AM.

Thanks again for the reply!

 

[cokid]

I don't have a YT account, but here's a link to a couple vids and a pic of the poop on Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/fBG1o4pDEXoWgYuQ8.

One girl now seems pretty much 100% normal, and the other is much better. The poop also is almost normal, though runny. Not really yellow at all, more white/clear. Still feeding egg with mushy feed and electrolytes, though they aren't drinking much. I'm going to put regular water in with them now in case they just don't like the taste?

Really happy they're better, but puzzled, of course.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is your other thread where I replied:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-over-runny-yellow-poop-what-is-it.1667919/

 

[cokid]

So as of this morning, they both seem totally normal - walking, eating, drinking, etc. Poop consistency and appearance is normal, though still with a yellow-ish mucus covering. I don't know that either has laid any eggs yet, but I just collected five, so there's a good chance! I guess I'll consider it some mysterious malady that they recovered from, but I'd sure like to know what it is/was. Obviously I will be keeping a close eye on the flock for a while.