why are my chickens dying

[Chocolate_Chick]

4 weeks ago 2 of my chickens had a respiratory infection. This was treated with antibiotics from the vet, the whole folk was treated. About a week later one of those chickens died. He had some sort of fit and couldn't breath and died within 15 minutes. Prior to that he had been running around, eating and drinking etc. The other chicken that had the respiratory infection was still rattly and was giving a different antibiotic by the vet. The vet wasn't sure what would have killed the first chicken. This evening, within half an hour, one of my other chickens went very sleeply and limp, and then also had some sort of fit and died quickly. I have two chickens left, one that has the respiratory infection and another that isn't showing any signs of illness at the moment.

I'm scared I'm going to lose both to this mystery illness. I phoned the vet and as the other two aren't dying, they're not considered an emergency so won't be seen during the Covid-19 restrictions. They vet also can't do a postmortem for the same reason. Any thoughts on whats going on or how I can help?

 

[OlympicChick]

I am so sorry. How are they doing now?

 

[Chocolate_Chick]

One of the chickens left is on some anti-fungal medication. The vet has seen her but doesn't know what she actually has. She said I could end up spending £1000 if we started testing to know whether it was a bacterial or fungal infection and it would involve putting the chicken under anesthetic which would put her respiratory system under more stress and so she may not survive it. As she's already been on two lots of antibiotics I decided to try and treat her with the broadest anti fungal treatment and hope for the best. She's not getting worse, but also isn't showing signs of improvement. Though it could take another week before you notice the medicine is working. The other chicken seems her normal self, but neither are laying which makes me think she isn't as well as she seems. Fingers crossed the treatment works

 

[jsr5]

Does the sick chicken have any kind of discharge from its beak or nares? does it have a strange odor when it exhales? I have treated for yeast infection of the crop before with 1/2 pea size doses of cream used for vaginal yeast infections once a day. How old are they? I know folks here will help but they need alot more info like age breed, pictures of their enclosures. what they are being fed etc etc any details will help you get help.

 

[OlympicChick]

I take it you are in England maybe? That's a lot of money for treatment It's great though that you have a vet who will see chickens. Like what jsr5 said, post pictures and give lots of detail.

 

[Chocolate_Chick]

The one that is ill is a Serama. The two that have died are a Serama and a Pekin. The Pekin was 2 years old and both Serama's are a year old. There's no odor are discharge from the nose. She isn't sneezing. You can hear a raspy sound when she breaths. The vet said the infection was far back in her respiratory system, but also wondered whether the infection was in her air sac. They are fed on layer pellets from Pets at Home - biggest pet store chain in UK.

They are kept in an Omlet Coop, which is cleaned with poultry disinfectant weekly. Their bedding is Easy Chick bedding which is dust free.

 

[Chocolate_Chick]

This is the chicken that is ill. She came in for a quick snooze. She is a little sleepier than usual. Her comb is also quite dry and flaky. I did ask the vet about dry pox but she didn't seem to know much about it.

 

[OlympicChick]

Poor thing. I don't know if it would help at all, but you could consider giving her a probiotic like Chick Boost https://www.chewy.com/animal-health...7a9aZQENwpP1eWUW_Idx7ku-ttUYmrCAaAkHfEALw_wcB

or Nutri-Dench https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/nutri-drench-poultry-4-oz

These things won't cure what is wrong with her, but could give her immune system a boost.

 

[Chocolate_Chick]

 

[OlympicChick]

Interesting. Her eyes seem clear and there is no discharge from her nose.