Two of my chickens are dying suddenly

[Meshella]

I have 1 1/2 year old chickens and we suddenly had a drop in temperatures in the 30-20's. They have a heat lamp in the coop to stay warm, and was fine up until a few days ago, a couple days after the temps started changing. I noticed two of my girls just standing fluffed up, that night not able to get in coop, and they would stand or lay with eyes closed as though they was sleeping. They could open their eyes, but very sleepy eyed. With in 24 I have had to bring them in. They cannot move or sit up on their own, and one has wiry neck and their eyes are puffy and closed. They can open them but then close them back. I have put antibiotic ointment on the eyes I got from Tractor supply, I have given them water with a syringe, they cannot drink on their own, I have given them nutradrench vitamins as well, I have never seen anything like this in my flock. The poop was normal and loose, and it just breaks my heart seeing them go down hill. Any ideas what this could be. Unfortunately I don't feel they are gonna make it. I have others in the flock and I don't know what's wrong with these two and or how to treat the other hens to prevent this from happening to them. Could it have been the changes in temperatures? I am just at a loss right now. Thank you for any suggestions on what could be wrong. Here are two pictures of their faces with the puffy eyes. Like I said they was fine a few days ago, acting completely normal.
Also want to add I have two flocks, I have babies that are three months old in a separate coop on the other side of my property, these older girls was from a flock of 30, now 13, I had purchased chicks and brought them into my flock last year that unfortunately unknowingly was carrying Meresks, so these girls are exposed to that but I know some can have it and only be carriers of it and still live a healthy life. I am not sure if that could be what's attacking these two girls or if this is something completely different. My new flock has been vaccinated. Any suggestions on what this could be would be very appreciated. I am worried.

 

[AGeese]

So you've got them insolated right? and one has Wry neck?

 

[Meshella]

So you've got them insolated right? and one has Wry neck?

Yes, but one of them just passed. The one with wry neck is still alive, but she can't really move around, but she will drink when I give her water with a syringe. I have not seen anything like this, I wonder if it could be from the cold weather. We went from hot to cold over night.

 

[AGeese]

Well, I believe you can treat for Wry Neck, there may be an article on that here. If that's the case I think you would treat the whole flock.

I'll stand to be corrected on this.

 

[Meshella]

Well, I believe you can treat for Wry Neck, there may be an article on that here. If that's the case I think you would treat the whole flock.

I'll stand to be corrected on this.

Yes that can happen from a vitamin decency that is why I am giving her extra vitamins, but she can't even walk and her eyes are puffy but she will open them when I am giving her fluids. I feed them good feed, scratch, healthy fruit and veggies, there is no reason for her to be deficient but I am trying to cover everything and they get vitamins in their water once a week. No signs of mites or anything like that either. I wouldn't think that would be a issue in the cold weather though.I am at a loss.

 

[2ndTink]

A few questions for you:
What feed are they on?
How is their body condition?
Did these two differ from the other breeds or in growth rate / size from the others in the flock?
Is it correct that these two were not Mareks vaccinated?

The one that passed, can you get a necropsy done? This is 100% the best route to go to know what happened for sure. Can you feel her body and see if you can detect any lumps or bumps that shouldn't be there?

In the meantime we will of course try to help you treat your remaining sick hen!

For wry neck she will need Vitamin A and a B complex. I like to poke a hole in the end of the Vitamin E pill and have them drink the liquid for the first week if at all possible, then you don't have to worry about whether or not they are breaking the pill casing down.

 

[Jeff_Stone]

I'm so sorry to hear that your chickens are ill.

Based on your description, it's challenging to pinpoint a single cause. Some potential possibilities:

*Respiratory infection*: The sudden onset of symptoms, such as puffy eyes, wiry neck, and lethargy, could indicate a respiratory infection. This might be exacerbated by the temperature drop.

*Marek's disease*: Given the history of Marek's disease in your flock, it's possible that these two girls are experiencing a flare-up or complications related to the disease.

*Cold stress*: Chickens can be susceptible to cold stress, especially if they're not acclimated to sudden temperature drops. This might weaken their immune system, making them more vulnerable to infections.

*Other potential causes*: Other possibilities include bacterial infections (e.g., conjunctivitis), viral infections (e.g., infectious bronchitis), or even parasites (e.g., mites, lice).

*Monitor the rest of the flock*: Keep a close eye on the other chickens in the flock, watching for any signs of illness or stress.

*Maintain biosecurity*: Ensure that you're following proper biosecurity protocols to prevent the potential spread of disease between the two flocks.

In terms of supportive care, you're already providing some excellent care.

*Continue offering water and nutrients*: Use a syringe to provide water and nutrients, like nutradrench vitamins, to help keep them hydrated and supported.

*Keep them warm and comfortable*: Maintain a warm, draft-free environment to help reduce stress and discomfort.

I hope this helps a little, and I wish you and your flock the best during this challenging time.

 

[Meshella]

They are on Nutrena layer feed, and scratch, as well as meal worms once a day.
Their body condition has been good up until about 48 hours ago. They are both Blue Lace Wyandotte's, I had three in my flock and now just two, the sick one and one other, the others are different breeds. The other Wyandotte is doing fine.
Yes, these two and with 11 others are not vaccinated. My other flock which is separated are vaccinated after my heart breaking experience with Meresk taking most my flock from this flock early last year.

I will get the vitamins, I have been giving her nutradrench. I don't know what this could be, I will add the first thing I noticed was her just standing with her eyes closed all fluffed up and acting sleepy, then she lost control of her neck in less than 24 hours, and couldn't get around without help. I am not sure if it could be the cold weather, or the Meresk or something different.
Thank you for your reply and help.

 

[Meshella]

I'm so sorry to hear that your chickens are ill.

Based on your description, it's challenging to pinpoint a single cause. Some potential possibilities:

*Respiratory infection*: The sudden onset of symptoms, such as puffy eyes, wiry neck, and lethargy, could indicate a respiratory infection. This might be exacerbated by the temperature drop.

*Marek's disease*: Given the history of Marek's disease in your flock, it's possible that these two girls are experiencing a flare-up or complications related to the disease.

*Cold stress*: Chickens can be susceptible to cold stress, especially if they're not acclimated to sudden temperature drops. This might weaken their immune system, making them more vulnerable to infections.

*Other potential causes*: Other possibilities include bacterial infections (e.g., conjunctivitis), viral infections (e.g., infectious bronchitis), or even parasites (e.g., mites, lice).

*Monitor the rest of the flock*: Keep a close eye on the other chickens in the flock, watching for any signs of illness or stress.

*Maintain biosecurity*: Ensure that you're following proper biosecurity protocols to prevent the potential spread of disease between the two flocks.

In terms of supportive care, you're already providing some excellent care.

*Continue offering water and nutrients*: Use a syringe to provide water and nutrients, like nutradrench vitamins, to help keep them hydrated and supported.

*Keep them warm and comfortable*: Maintain a warm, draft-free environment to help reduce stress and discomfort.

I hope this helps a little, and I wish you and your flock the best during this challenging time.

Thank you, and it is very challenging, it has been so heartbreaking loosing my flock throughout this year. I am hoping some will survive and but only time will tell. I am using terramycin ointment on the eyes, and my new chicks are in their own coop on the other side of my property and vaccinated. She does drink the water as well. I am starting to wonder if it could possibly be the cold stress as well because that is when this started. I just don't know, but I am doing all I can and I appreciate the advice.

 

[Meshella]

Have y'all heard of giving chickens something called magic water? Apple Cider Vinager, honey and garlic?