White comb on a dead chicken and another showing signs of same thing...thoughts appreciated!

[plantchild]

Hello! We are kinda new to the chicken raising thing. In 2013 we purchased 12 peeps in various breeds for our boys to raise and take care of and sell the eggs. They have been a lot of fun and really a lot of joy for our boys! Anyway, last week we noticed that one of our brown leghorns comb was fading and turning white. Yesterday I noticed she didn't seem right and looked thinner. Today when then boys went to let them out and change water etc they found poor freckles dead. We now see that another brown leghorns comb is doing the same thing.
Any thoughts? I am very worried we have something going on.
Here is a bit more info.
1. we had 20 birds total (12 older ones separated in the coop) and 8 we just got this year. They have their own outside runs and are separated inside but can see each other
2. we move the coop weekly so they have fresh field to eat from
3. We use straw inside the coop....change and add as needed.

Thank you in advance for any help that you can provide.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is the comb becoming pale or actually white? Fungus on combs will show up as white powder. If the comb is just pale, that can be a sign of anemia from mites or worms. I would suggest worming all chickens with SafeGuard liquid goat wormer 1/2 ml and repeat in 10 days. Look for signs of mites especially under the vent area, and dust with permethrin or sevin dust. The coop should also be ceaned out and treated if mites or lice are found. Here is a picture of fungus or favus on a comb: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/154624/favus-on-rooster-comb-please-help

 

[hildar]

If they are dying maybe it is Coccidiodosis. One sign is the comb and feet turning white or light colored

 

[plantchild]

Thank you for your reply. My husband opened up the dead chicken and did not see any signs of worms. We also inspected all the chickens in coop for mites (I grow plants and when they have mites you can see them and webbing....is this the same with chickens???).
I called our local extension agent and they thought that maybe foul ticks, (they said older birds dont tend to get coccidiosis).....
but the more experienced Dr. on staff was not in and was going to call me tomorrow. They recommend to dip the birds in a pyrithoid solution.
I don't know what to do....another friend said if it coccidiosis we could feed them the starter food that we have for our "teenagers".
I am very stressed out about this as I am afraid that the second chicken fluffy will not make the day and now it seems like another may be showing the same signs!
Thank you for your reply!

 

[hildar]

Thank you for your reply. My husband opened up the dead chicken and did not see any signs of worms. We also inspected all the chickens in coop for mites (I grow plants and when they have mites you can see them and webbing....is this the same with chickens???).
I called our local extension agent and they thought that maybe foul ticks, (they said older birds dont tend to get coccidiosis).....
but the more experienced Dr. on staff was not in and was going to call me tomorrow. They recommend to dip the birds in a pyrithoid solution.
I don't know what to do....another friend said if it coccidiosis we could feed them the starter food that we have for our "teenagers".
I am very stressed out about this as I am afraid that the second chicken fluffy will not make the day and now it seems like another may be showing the same signs!
Thank you for your reply!

I would say to give them some gatoraid, or electrolyte solution along with the 1 1/2 tsp per gallon of water of Merial Corid Powder mixed in. Along with giving them all the medicated chick feed. It can't hurt to treat them all with it.

 

[sepaditty1]

If its cocci, the sooner you treat the better. If it isn't, the Corid shouldn't hurt them.

But when mine had cocci they also acted lethargic & kept their wings puffed up. Are your girls doing that?

 

[Farmer Ken]

Unfortunately the more chickens you have the more you risk losing. I am sorry for that fact.

Until you can nail down the issue get some medicated feed you need to boost the immune system of you other chickens.

GET YOUR SICK CHICKENS away from the rest of the flock. I wish there was more to say but until you know what too treat for that is the best you can do. Protect and contain.

 

[Eggcessive]

Thank you for your reply. My husband opened up the dead chicken and did not see any signs of worms. We also inspected all the chickens in coop for mites (I grow plants and when they have mites you can see them and webbing....is this the same with chickens???).
I called our local extension agent and they thought that maybe foul ticks, (they said older birds dont tend to get coccidiosis).....
but the more experienced Dr. on staff was not in and was going to call me tomorrow. They recommend to dip the birds in a pyrithoid solution.
I don't know what to do....another friend said if it coccidiosis we could feed them the starter food that we have for our "teenagers".
I am very stressed out about this as I am afraid that the second chicken fluffy will not make the day and now it seems like another may be showing the same signs!
Thank you for your reply!

Coccidiosis could be a problem if you have added new birds recently. Medicated feed will not treat an active outbreak--it only helps to build up gradual resistance to it. Corid or amprollium would be the treatment for 5 days, and it is not harmful to use if they don't have it. If your husband looked at the intestines, they should have looked swollen, and may have had blood inside them if there was coccidiosis. This is a pretty graphic picture of severe cocci:

 

[Farmer Ken]

How are your chickens doing?

I pray they are doing better.

 

[subhanalah]

Coccidiosis could be a problem if you have added new birds recently.  Medicated feed will not treat an active outbreak--it only helps to build up gradual resistance to it.  Corid or amprollium would be the treatment for 5 days, and it is not harmful to use if they don't have it.  If your husband looked at the intestines, they should have looked swollen, and may have had blood inside them if there was coccidiosis.  This is a pretty graphic picture of severe cocci:  

can you explain this to me? The bag says it is not intended for the goal of immunity to cocci but I keep seeing people saying it helps build the resistance.?