Sudden death help

[KentuckyRooster]

So we've had a really rough go earlier this year with a horrible horrible coccidia strain that knocked out a lot of young babies and was utterly devastating to me. It's been gone some time now and every one has been well, I check breasts for wasting and have been watching for behavioral symptoms in the flock also. I hadn't noticed anything.

Tonight I saw my Sicilian buttercup seemed very slow. When I picked her up she was completely emaciated and breathing heavily, and she died in my arms shortly thereafter. Her comb seemed dark in color and she spit up water a lot as she was passing.

What could have done this? Coccidia again? I'm frantic if the coccidia is back I don't know how I am going to kill it I swear, it was a massacre. I checked thoroughly for signs of well, anything and there were none. She did not have external parasites, they were wormed right after the coccidia scare (so recently) and I checked all over for signs of injury. She was not yet laying but should have been. Her vent looked normal but shrunken probably due to starvation from whatever it was. This was a hen who was mature but young, an early spring baby from this year.

PLEASE help me. If it's a one off I can rest but if not, I have to get on it NOW before some more of my babies get sick

 

[BYCforlife]

Are your chickens vaccinated for coccidiosis? If not, are you feeding them medicated feed?

Sorry for your loss!

 

[KentuckyRooster]

They are not. They are past the age of being on medicated feed, but were when they got sick originally. They don't make medicated feed for adults, do they?

 

[BYCforlife]

They are not. They are past the age of being on medicated feed, but were when they got sick originally. They don't make medicated feed for adults, do they?

Are you sure they got sick, or were they overheated or chilled? They can overheat and chill easily when young.

Yes they do, and you are supposed to feed it to them always if they are not vaccinated.

 

[chickennducksqueen]

I'm sorry for your loss... and the death sounds strange. I hope you find what's going on. They are young and they are very sensitive. Hopefully it is not a massacre like before.

 

[KentuckyRooster]

They were sick, it happened over a period of weeks and they wasted very quickly one after another and the symptom progression was almost identical in each. Sometimes there were neuro symptoms, then death followed very fast. I was in contact with a vet during this time who helped.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry for your loss.

Where are you located?
What did you use to treat the Cocci?

If you are in the states - it would be best to send her for necropsy so you can get some clear information on what is causing you problems.

Wasting and having neuro problems sounds more like Marek's.

MAREKS
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq
Necropsy info:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

 

[KentuckyRooster]

I'm in Idaho and I used Amprolium (corid) to treat..

I can't afford a necro right now. If it were any other time I already wold have done it, but we've fallen on extremely hard financial times in the past month unfortunately.

 

[KentuckyRooster]

I necro'd her just now. She died of an impacted crop and gizzard...intestines totally empty. No sign of marek's or other disease thank god.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm glad you were able to investigate and find the cause.

I hope the rest of your flock remains happy and healthy