What disease is this? HELP PLEASE! Chickens dying

[Light_for_Jesus]

An online friend sent me this email. She and her sister have had chickens a few years and commonly add new chickens. Here is what she says:

"The chickens are dying. Lost 3 yesterday with another one on the way out and more that are starting to look sick. It seems to start with one eye kinda runny or scabby looking and then they stand there and open their beak and sorta gulp with head up in the air. Like they can't breath very well. I have no idea what to do. Am afraid it is going to wipe them out. The only thing different that we've done is feed them japanese beetles. It's also been horribly humid with high heat but they have had water and shade. Any idea what is going on?"

Can you help?

 

[Judy]

The best thing to do is contact their state vet or ag college and see about having a necropsy done, for a definite diagnosis.

There are several respiratory diseases it could be. It also sounds kind of like gapeworm, though I don't think that would explain the eye symptoms.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...w-soon-can-you-eat-the-eggs/0_20#post_9670372

 

[MrsBachbach]

I'm kind of curious what it could be also. I have one hen with similar symptoms, the standing around and occasionally opening the beak and gulping for air. No other symptoms other than that. She is kind of fat, is not currently laying that I have seen, but is still eating. I looked in her beak and didn't see any worms. I have just found her behavior strange because she is hanging around the chicken house more than normal. Normally, she is out and about with the others.

 

[vickiesingleton]

Im having the same problem and have lost serval chickens and turkeys all with the same problems.

 

[Light_for_Jesus]

It could be gape worm that can be killed by Ivermectin. Of course, I do not know yet, what it is. If she finds out, I'll post.

 

[Terri O]

Smell in the mouth. If there is a really horrible smell it is probably Corzya. Terribly contagious by common waterers. You can treat with powdered tylan50 but cured birds become carriers.

There are so may illnesses that mock each other though. The person that said necropsy is dead on.
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[dawg53]

It could be gape worm that can be killed by Ivermectin. Of course, I do not know yet, what it is. If she finds out, I'll post.

Your friend is dealing with a respiratory disease introduced by adding new birds to her existing flock...she failed to practice biosecurity.
The disease will infect all her birds. Cull all of them, disinfect everything, and wait several months before getting new birds.

 

[Light_for_Jesus]

She emailed today and said she had talked to other people in her area that have chickens. They are all experiencing the same things. Apparently it is from GNATS. Huge swarms of gnats have hatched out and are attacking the chickens.

So, she has bought something to keep them away from her birds. That is all I know for now.

I delivered all your information to her previously. I know she appreciated your efforts to help. I do too. So thanks again.