What is wrong with my chickens?!

[Wyorp Rock]

Many thanks to everyone who gave advice, but I am ashamed to say that I have figured the probable cause of this sickness whereby the food is not digesting, and their breastbones are just covered with skin.............I had used some old window screens to separate them away from the door so I could get to another flock of chickens and they started pecking on the screens. When I finished with the other flock the screens had large holes in them! They were EATING screen wire. No wonder their food hasn't digested! So far, I've actually lost only 2, but most of the others are still sick. I hope I don't lose all. Oh, well, a costly lesson learned! Never use screen wire where chickens have access to it!!

Oh no, I'm so sorry

I would encourage you to have a necropsy if you lose any more or if you are up to it, inspect the crop, gizzard and intestines just to make sure it's the wire that is causing the death. Here's a link to your state lab system https://www.clemson.edu/public/lph/cvdc/index.html

The metal can impact their future health. Ingesting metal objects is fairly common in chickens and it's call Hardware Disease.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/hardware-disease-in-backyard-chickens/

 

[lifetimechicklover]

Oh no, I'm so sorry

I would encourage you to have a necropsy if you lose any more or if you are up to it, inspect the crop, gizzard and intestines just to make sure it's the wire that is causing the death. Here's a link to your state lab system https://www.clemson.edu/public/lph/cvdc/index.html

The metal can impact their future health. Ingesting metal objects is fairly common in chickens and it's call Hardware Disease.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/hardware-disease-in-backyard-chickens/

THANK YOU!!

 

[lifetimechicklover]

I have 9 bantams, Spanish black with white face, 10 w/o. About 3 days ago I noticed they weren't drinking or eating much. Upon watching them closer, I noticed that some of them were lethargic; ie. sitting with humped back, sleeping......then the combs turned a death yellow. Even 1 of the roosters' pretty red comb paled and sort of cracked looking. Today, I saw that one of the pullet's crop was very large. I caught her, and her breastbone is sharp from lack of nutrition. I felt the crop & was astounded that it filled up my hand! I started to massage gently and held her upside down. I would venture to say that 3/4 to 1 cup of undigested food and slimy liquid came up. It did not have any odor to indicate and infection. I did the same for my affected rooster. It seemed to perk him for a few minutes, then he was asleep. I started yesterday to add the vitamin & electrolyte powder to the water. Please! if anyone knows what this is, please let me know. I'm so afraid I'm going to lose them! Thanks in advance..........

UPDATE! I lost 2 already; others some better, but still a long way to go. Food is not digesting, tho' they're eating and driinking. Very skinny. Still adding electrolye & vitamin powder to the water, asa well as garlic pwdr. Could I give them something like metamucil which says it promotes good indigestion?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do they have a source of grit (crushed granite)?

When you say, that food is not digesting - do you mean that their crops are still full in the mornings before eating/drinking?

With them ingesting the wire, I would think the gizzard/digestive tract and/or intestines are damaged. The only way you will know for sure is to have a vet perform xrays, they should be able to see if there is wire in there. http://articles.extension.org/pages/65376/avian-digestive-system

Metamucil is a fiber supplement that is commonly used to treat constipation or add bulk to the stool. Personally, I would not use that.

Give your chicks Chick Starter made into a mash, this is probably the easiest thing to digest. Just put the feed in a bowl and add water to make a paste-I would make it a bit watery for them, but play with the consistency the see what they like best.

 

[lifetimechicklover]

Do they have a source of grit (crushed granite)?

When you say, that food is not digesting - do you mean that their crops are still full in the mornings before eating/drinking?

With them ingesting the wire, I would think the gizzard/digestive tract and/or intestines are damaged. The only way you will know for sure is to have a vet perform xrays, they should be able to see if there is wire in there. http://articles.extension.org/pages/65376/avian-digestive-system

Metamucil is a fiber supplement that is commonly used to treat constipation or add bulk to the stool. Personally, I would not use that.

Give your chicks Chick Starter made into a mash, this is probably the easiest thing to digest. Just put the feed in a bowl and add water to make a paste-I would make it a bit watery for them, but play with the consistency the see what they like best.

Thank you so much for the advice. And yes, they are in a run where they can scratch in the dirt. Let me correct the statement re. food not digesting; they are eating and drinking. The crops are not full in AM. But, their bodies are so thin. Sharp breastbone, etc. I am feeding DUMOR 20% Starter/Grower. Some of them have runny poop. I am baffled, and don't know what else to do for them !

 

[Wyorp Rock]

9 bantams, Spanish black with white face, 10 w/o

Thank you so much for the advice. And yes, they are in a run where they can scratch in the dirt. Let me correct the statement re. food not digesting; they are eating and drinking. The crops are not full in AM. But, their bodies are so thin. Sharp breastbone, etc. I am feeding DUMOR 20% Starter/Grower. Some of them have runny poop. I am baffled, and don't know what else to do for them !

These are Bantam White Faced Black Spanish correct? Do you have photos of them.
I'm no breed expert, but believe these fall into the Mediterranean class of poultry. They will be smaller/more streamlined (thin) and not "meaty" or "chesty" like large fowl "heritage" birds.
The best way to gauge if they are losing weight is to weigh them. Write it down and weigh them a couple of times a week.

 

[Mr.Universe]

try backing off the protien a little and see if the poops solidify more., can administer something for an intestinal bug. apple cider vinegar in the water. 2tblsp to a gallon, try to get the knotts, has the pulp in it still, best stuff IMHO.

also try the yogurt, i just tried greek plain with my recovering wounded girl and 2 bantam blues i have, they seemed to enjoy it, atleadt what little of it they ate, i think vanilla is a better option personally. more appetizing to them, or do plain greek and mix in strawberries chopped to about 5mm square cubes, leave the seeds and skin.

also try some squash, you can suppliment in broccoli and spinach as well as rodichio lettuce and remove current feed and see if conditions change any.

i was recently chasing the runs and after they started getting fresh greens the poop solidified right up, they may also just be drinking far too much water which can cause the runs as well.

are you giving tap water? are you on city water or a well?

city water can contain high amounts of salt depending on the treatment process to balance PH (basically indistrial baking soda) which isnt really good for your girls. if on well water realize that E-coli can breed in wells, when was the last time if on well water it was bleached out?

NEVER BLEACH A WELL IF RUST IS PRESENT, can tell by taking a magnet and placing it under a glass of tap water for 24 hours, you will see sediment that react to the iron in the morning.

bleaching is easy to do. mix a gallon of bleach in 5 gallons of water, pour down well access and let sit for 24 hours. then run a exterior hose the furthest from the well head till the bleach smell goes away, during this period of time DO NOT DRINK OR USE WATER. it may be beneficial to shut off the water heater to prevent damage to the coils from the bleach being heated. during this period use potted water or buy several culligans from your local walmart at the refill center (those refill centers use a reverse osmosis filtration system and is actually cleaner then distilled water is) and see if conditions change any.

another contributing factor if on city water can be the use of flouride, its not good for us or our birds in the quantitys some states introduce to our water supplys and this may also be a cause.

heres a link for you to call and check to see what process they use to filter drinking water if you are on city water. this may lead you to a cause to this madness, i hope this helps you

https://www.google.com/search?q=sou...tment&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1-ab

 

[lifetimechicklover]

These are Bantam White Faced Black Spanish correct? Do you have photos of them.
I'm no breed expert, but believe these fall into the Mediterranean class of poultry. They will be smaller/more streamlined (thin) and not "meaty" or "chesty" like large fowl "heritage" birds.
The best way to gauge if they are losing weight is to weigh them. Write it down and weigh them a couple of times a week.

Thank you so much for your reply. It makes me feel better to know that they are not supposed to be fat. I don't have a photo, but the breed you asked about is the exact one I have.

 

[lifetimechicklover]

try backing off the protien a little and see if the poops solidify more., can administer something for an intestinal bug. apple cider vinegar in the water. 2tblsp to a gallon, try to get the knotts, has the pulp in it still, best stuff IMHO.

also try the yogurt, i just tried greek plain with my recovering wounded girl and 2 bantam blues i have, they seemed to enjoy it, atleadt what little of it they ate, i think vanilla is a better option personally. more appetizing to them, or do plain greek and mix in strawberries chopped to about 5mm square cubes, leave the seeds and skin.

also try some squash, you can suppliment in broccoli and spinach as well as rodichio lettuce and remove current feed and see if conditions change any.

i was recently chasing the runs and after they started getting fresh greens the poop solidified right up, they may also just be drinking far too much water which can cause the runs as well.

are you giving tap water? are you on city water or a well?

city water can contain high amounts of salt depending on the treatment process to balance PH (basically indistrial baking soda) which isnt really good for your girls. if on well water realize that E-coli can breed in wells, when was the last time if on well water it was bleached out?

NEVER BLEACH A WELL IF RUST IS PRESENT, can tell by taking a magnet and placing it under a glass of tap water for 24 hours, you will see sediment that react to the iron in the morning.

bleaching is easy to do. mix a gallon of bleach in 5 gallons of water, pour down well access and let sit for 24 hours. then run a exterior hose the furthest from the well head till the bleach smell goes away, during this period of time DO NOT DRINK OR USE WATER. it may be beneficial to shut off the water heater to prevent damage to the coils from the bleach being heated. during this period use potted water or buy several culligans from your local walmart at the refill center (those refill centers use a reverse osmosis filtration system and is actually cleaner then distilled water is) and see if conditions change any.

another contributing factor if on city water can be the use of flouride, its not good for us or our birds in the quantitys some states introduce to our water supplys and this may also be a cause.

heres a link for you to call and check to see what process they use to filter drinking water if you are on city water. this may lead you to a cause to this madness, i hope this helps you

https://www.google.com/search?q=sou...tment&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1-ab

THANK YOU! I am on well water, but I rent my house and the well is not on this property. I will be heading out to get some Knotts ACV and Greek yogurt. I must say that they seem to be doing some better today. I am so thankful for that, and for all the wonderful members of BYC who are so eager to help each other with problems. Keep up the good work!!!

 

[Mr.Universe]

advice. there is a CDC center in your town or nearby. take water samples. 3 samples from 3 taps, kitchen, outside, and whatever source you are using to supply water for youre girls. they test samples for free or i believe 20 dollars. get a full pathogen test done.

now that i know you are on well water. do you know where the well head is located? is there livestock in that area (meaning cattle/horses specifically) if so, is there a barn or holding pen within 100 feet of the well head?

it is possible the well was placed on a underground spring, as such as weather changes and the seasons dry it sinks all the top soil into the ground.

e-coli imparticular is not something that gets filtered through natural means till it hits the stream and is entirely possible this could be the cause. we have to fight our well due to the dumb neighbors horse stalls basically directly on top of our well head (less then 20 feet and illegally constructed) and they do not muck out the stalls properly which causes a butload of issues for us atleast