Water belly, tarry loose stool

[Cj Tracker]

i just buried one hen yesterday. I've lost 2 others in last 2 months and i know the water belly feel and symptoms. i can tell two more hens have it. one is still resting normally, walking around.. the other has one day left i just know it, if i can't resolve it.

i don't have pictures since time is limited I'm going to tractor supply as soon as they open for syringe and not sure if they have the right gauge needle. one of my hens i gave antibiotics too and it helped her tremendously, freshers got better she was more energetic than ever. she started them losing weight over a period of a few weeks them died yesterday.

so given the above, my question is specific about the water belly, tarry stool, walking gingerly around almost dazed, in the roosting box after she drank water this morning ( its been very hot, I've put ice in buckets and changing water several times a day)

please help. these are young hens all under 3 yo. wyanndote, and easter eggers

thank you!!

 

[Cj Tracker]

i just buried one hen yesterday. I've lost 2 others in last 2 months and i know the water belly feel and symptoms. i can tell two more hens have it. one is still resting normally, walking around.. the other has one day left i just know it, if i can't resolve it.

i don't have pictures since time is limited I'm going to tractor supply as soon as they open for syringe and not sure if they have the right gauge needle. one of my hens i gave antibiotics too and it helped her tremendously, freshers got better she was more energetic than ever. she started them losing weight over a period of a few weeks them died yesterday.

so given the above, my question is specific about the water belly, tarry stool, walking gingerly around almost dazed, in the roosting box after she drank water this morning ( its been very hot, I've put ice in buckets and changing water several times a day)

please help. these are young hens all under 3 yo. wyanndote, and easter eggers

thank you!!

also i did have two young ducks suffer from poisoning. crazy neuro symptoms, couldn't move but still had a heartbeat so i worked on flooding them with water w charcoal. they made s full recovery. while it could be anything in wondering if water belly could be associated with something they are finding free ranging so I'm not letting anyone out the next few days.

i heard in NJ last year they were approving a airplane drop of rabies pellets to control raccoon out breaks but no idea if they startd the progrsm this year and nothing when i search

 

[Eggcessive]

Ascites (water belly) is a common finding in hens who suffer from reproductive infections or cancer, and I have also seen it in one hen with fatty liver disease. Heart failure, seen more in meat birds, will also cause water belly.

I had infectious bronchitis, a common respiratory disease, in my flock years ago. All hens recovered after a month, but many went on later to have egg laying issues and reproductive problems. Many died young of those problems. Have you ever seen respiratory infection in your chickens, that involved sneezing for several weeks?

The best way to get a diagnosis of what is happening, would be to get a necropsy by your state vet lab if you lose another one. Keep the body cold, and take it in, or send it overnight by FedEx. Call them on a week day and find out details before it happens. Here is a list of the state vets to contact in your area:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[Cj Tracker]

thank you so much for the response .. i found the culprit horsenettle and possibly my Japanese Yew shrubs.

https://www.cacklehatchery.com/18-weeds-that-are-toxic-to-chickens/

I've been on a weed and yew digging frenzy.
Gave my hens water of charcoal powder, b vitamins and other electrolytes. when my ducks were poisoned, but survived w the charcoal water irrigation, i was hoping just offering only water for her today is the best option. she's drinking and I'm hopeful since she seems more alert