Two young pullets died within1 week

[4Rotts]

We have had chickens almost 13 years.
Our chickens are semi free range. They have a fenced in area 100 feet by 50 feet "L" shape. Their yard is lined with very tall white pine trees. We have 5 older hens 3-5 years of age, 1 pullet 5 months and now 7 very young pullets right at 4 months.
We have several breeds Barred Rock, White Rock, Americanas,Universal Reds, Buffs & Rhode Island Red.
We have used Aureomycin 3/4 tsp. per gallon of water for respiratory infections in the past. Only med we have ever used. We have never used a wormer.
When Hubby cleans their houses (they have 2) he cleans them every week, & puffs sevin into them.
They eat cracked corn & egg layer. I also give them a can of green beans now & then. When it's very hot outside they like cornsicles (frozen corn). This summer they have also been eating leftover tomatoes & cucumbers. Earlier in the Spring they would also peck at the watermelon & cantaloupe rinds.
We have always given our chickens scraps/leftovers. On weekends they loved pancakes & waffle leftovers, too. Hubby always says..."those chickens would kill for a cake donut".

Nothing new has happened or gone on in their yard. No changes.
Just so you know...these chickens and all our chickens from the past, are very spoiled rotten & they all have names.

First Americana pullet started acting slow and 1 eyelid was closed. She was eating & drinking. A few days later, she had both eyelids closed & couldn't hold her head up or get up & move on her own..
When I opened her eyelid, her eye was clear & moving. She was eating & drinking up to this time. Gave her water by syringe (1cc.)
She swallowed it fine. A few hours later she died.

Another young pullet (not sure what breed, she was brown, we called her Brownie). She started to act a bit slow, she was eating & drinking, by next AM she had died.

Only other thing we can think of is... in the last year our chickens just don't lay eggs like they have. I know a couple are getting older...but it's more than just that. Something is going on there (???).
We've checked for bugs, nothing found on any of them. None of them even scratch. Something else is these chickens don't take dirt baths anymore, isn't that a bit odd ???
Our oldest chicken lived to be a little over 11 years old. Yes Eleven. So we must be doing something right.

We thought about tilling up their yard, but I thought I would check with you to see if that would be a good idea.
I've tried to think of everything you might need to get a feel of our chickens home, any other questions I would be happy to answer.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you

 

[mame1616]

I've lost a few to those same syptoms - I just call it chicken disease, because I don't know what happens. I usually have ACV in the water. They are wormed, they get greens and scraps. They have plenty of room and I keep their coop and run clean. But this summer everyone just seemed a little more blah, even as cool as it was. I had a terrible rat problem that seems taken care of now - I don't know if that was it.
Last time I was at the vet for something else I mentioned it and they said they would have to see the bird - well, by the time I notice anything, they've died! I can't afford a necropsy, or to drive across the state for the DoA to do one for free. At this point I just figure it's "one of those things."

 

[4Rotts]

Is ACV the same thing as Aureomycin ?

What would be the best wormer for older hens plus 4 month old pullets ?

When worming...should I throw away their eggs (if they lay any) after a certain amount of time ?

Is there a miracle drug that de-worms them & would get rid of any mites or lice ?

Sorry but we know nothing about worming hens/pullets.
Thanks again for any advice.

 

[DIMBY]

I've had a hen, Rose, with somewhat similar symptoms for about four weeks now. Hangs about, one eye closed a good deal of the time. I have posted and got advice about changing from straw to wood shavings, admin. antibiotics, soaking legs in epsom salts (she has a slight limp), disinfecting, etc. I have done all.

She is 'OK' but not really thriving and obviously this is not contagious because my other seven hens are doing just fine.

Rose eats, drinks and poops just fine, but at about 29 weeks now, no eggs. She dust baths -- in fact, today, she gave herself a good one -- and she has good days, bad days, and better days. No pain, she tolerates my poking and proding. No lumps, no swelling, no bumblefoot, no lice.

I am going to deworm the bunch in the next week or two, so would be interested in your replies about keeping or discarding eggs.

 

[DIMBY]

Oh, should have mentioned, I'm calling it "Old Hen Syndrome."

 

[mame1616]

ACV is Apple Cider Vinegar. It helps them maintain the good bacteria in their gut. Get the one with the "mother" in the bottle - not the clear one. Try a health food store.

With worming, I worm everyyear, but I've never had a problem. I use piperazine.

I don't eat the eggs for two weeks after i worm them, nor do I feed them back - I just toss em.

 

[risfawnser67]

I lost 2 pullets over about 3 weeks in late July/August with those symptoms and under the same conditions, except that mine free-range over a larger area. I also have had chickens for years and years. When the first one died, it was very fast - I noticed she was listless with one or both eyes closed in the a.m., I isolated her and fed her Quick Chick with electrolytes through a syringe but she died early in the afternoon. I chalked it up to ??? and thought it was just an isolated fluke. About 10 days later, same thing happened to an Ameraucana pullet of about 4 months. When she died I took her to the Georgia State Ag Dept. for a necropsy...her liver was slightly swollen, but nothing definitive. They sent slides of all her organs to University of Georgia...meanwhile, one of my Silkie pullets got symptoms and a Blackstar mature hen, but I'd had it. I got Tetracycline and electrolytes and Poly-Vi-Sol and fed everyone Southern States Gamebird medicated starter mash and they have all recovered and I have not lost another bird. I have been doing this for 2 weeks now and have have not had symptoms in 9 days. The University of Georgia's diagnosis was: acute and isolated hepatitis. They told me there was no cause and no cure...but I'm here to tell you that the antibiotics absolutely DID help!!! The UGA vet said that my supporting them with antibiotics, electrolytes and vitamins might have boosted their immune systems to the point that they were able to fight the ??? whatever hepatitis. I wonder if anyone else has had hepatitis - it is NOT vibrionic hepatitis. Good luck!!!

 

[4Rotts]

risfawnser67...

Thank you so much for your input.

Bad news tho...this AM...another americana pullet(4 mo) died. I just cried & cried & cried. I know to some people (they are just chickens) nobody around this site better not think that. These little kids as I call them are such a joy. So that is 3 pullets I have lost in a little over a week.
I have 1 americana pullet left. I sure hope she stays healthy.

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Does anyone think the antibiotics we are using is the right one ?Aureomycin 3/4 tsp per gallon of water. ???

If any of the older hens or the Barred rock that is almost 6 months old, ever lays any eggs, should we toss the eggs, or are they ok to eat ???

What about tilling up their 100'X50' area ??? Would that be a good idea???
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We want to buy more pullets...but were waiting to hopefully find out where we stand. I don't want to buy more if they are just going to die.


MAME1616...
How do you give chickens ACV ? In their drinking water ??? Like the antibiotic ???I haven't a clue. I wouldn't think they would like ACV.

Thank everyone for your help. I just hope we don't lose anyy more chicken babies.

 

[mame1616]

I put the ACV in their water - I try to remember to do it 2-3 days a week, since they get fresh water everyday. I just pour a couple of "glugs" in there. They drink it.

 

[kathyinmo]

ACV is apple cider vinegar. It is the organic kind, with the mother in it. Not the distilled vinegar in the grocery isle. I use a tablespoon per gallon of water. I use it every other day.

Using antibiotics without knowing what you are treating can cause more harm than good, from what I have read. I am certainly no expert, but if you want to go with supportive treatments: try giving PolyViSol (Enfamil brand infant) vitamins, 3 drops a day. Feed yogurt (plain unflavored) mixed with egg yolk, add some cooked oatmeal, and some applesauce.

Honestly though, I think I would worm them. Might be worth a try.
Good luck. I am sorry for your losses.