Very sick Rooster

[VaBoy]

I've been having trouble for about 12 months now. It started with some peeps from a large hatchery. I had them in the cage in the basement and they were dying 1 or 2 a week for a while. That stopped and when they got several months old I added them to my flock. Then as they matured I would loose one every month or so but it was species specific. Being somewhat new to chickens I just figured it was weak chickens from the hatchery. Then I started loosing my seemingly healthy adult birds from my original flock. I took one of the dead birds to a State Lab and they said they would get back to me if it was a serious contagious condition. That was 3 months ago and I've heard nothing. I forgot, if I did notice a lethargic bird I would separate it from the flock and treat it with Duramycin-10. In most if all cases the bird would recover and I would then introduce him back to the flock. I've cleaned and disinfected the coops and for the asst 3 months there has been no deaths. Yesterday I noticed one of my mature Light Sussex roosters was acting funny and this morning he looked worse. He's very lethargic, comb is pale and not bright red like the others, and he seems to be drinking large amounts of water. I've noticed a dribble of water or saliva coming from his mouth but it could also be nasal, it's had to tell. He seems to be trying to swallow while he's just standing like something could be coming up from his stomach. Tired of going through this every month or so.

Thanks for your help.

VaBoy

 

[kidcody]

You need to contact the state lab again chickens don't just start dieing for no reason. I've not had a adult chicken die in years. I'm not saying they don't die but you have had to many die, thats not normal. Something isn't right. I can't really tell what could be wrong. But you can start with the basic check list, food, water, exercise, worms, lice, mites etc. I hope you can get this turned around I know you are frustrated!!

 

[chkn]

I would go on a good worming and delousing program if you haven't already. Those things can definitely slowly take your flock down.

 

[VaBoy]

I have not done anything with lice but I wormed them a few months ago. Any suggestions for lice?

 

[kidcody]

try dusting them with "Sevin 5 " found in your garden section, lightly dust making sure you get down to the base of the feathers, make sure you dust there living space. Sometimes it is very hard to see those little critters