Help, a few hens are dying.

[Mrs. Foghorn Leghorn]

Hello. The past 2 wks, I've had 4 hens get sick with something (mystery). The first hen has survived and making a come back. Hens 2 & 3 died last week. I thought we were in the clear, but yesterday, I sense something was off with a 4th hen. Today, she's barely existing.

Here's what I've tried already for a week:
Corid for coccidiosis (although we're in our dry season in FL), in the water jug.
Ivermectin for mites in the armpits
SafeGuard for worms, down the throat.
Colloidal silver and Apple Cider vinegar in their water jug.

I'm running to Tractor Supply for chicken electrolytes and VetRX today. I'll be cleaning out the coop too (although it was just cleaned last month).

Nothing has changed with their diet. I did add 5 pullets to the flock (merged with a fence for 3 wks), but now together as of last week.

I do see a little bit of dirty butts, so maybe diarrhea.

I don't know how to take a temp. But, essentially, they go off of feed. Start standing more, then laying more, then they become listless. Not a lot of drama, just a slow fade.

I was scared to make this public but I hope you guys can help provide insight. I've been a chicken mom for about 12 years. Never had this before.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi,

Sorry about what's happening here. You didn't mention their age, but if you've kept chickens that long, then you'd already know they're not dying of old age.

While you're at TSC, I'd grab some Poultry Cell vitamins and probiotic powder if you don't have any.

Have you thought of sending one in for a necropsy? Here's a link to the state labs. Do Control +F to find yours.

 

[Sarajobe]

I wouldn't be doing any meds since if they don't need them, it'll be too hard on their bodies. We prefer hydrohen electrolytes and so do our hens, they won't touch the purina one. Feed with a dropper if needed. Do they show signs of respiratory issues? Vet rx probably isn't helpful otherwise. We like to give ours tuna when they're sick and the hydrohen. Were the new birds from a safe place? I'm so sorry. :-(

 

[Rose the Legbar]

Can you check for mites in their butt fluff? Some kinds of mites prefer to hide out around their vents and not around their upper body. Just because you mentioned the dirty butts and mites love dirty butts.

 

[Mrs. Foghorn Leghorn]

Hi,

Sorry about what's happening here. You didn't mention their age, but if you've kept chickens that long, then you'd already know they're not dying of old age.

While you're at TSC, I'd grab some Poultry Cell vitamins and probiotic powder if you don't have any.

Have you thought of sending one in for a necropsy? Here's a link to the state labs. Do Control +F to find yours.

Ok, I got the vitamins and probiotics powder. It's too late for this latest victim. Came home to her dead. There is a lab not too far from me. (1 hr) and $50. Thanks. I hadn't thought of it.

 

[Mrs. Foghorn Leghorn]

Can you check for mites in their butt fluff? Some kinds of mites prefer to hide out around their vents and not around their upper body. Just because you mentioned the dirty butts and mites love dirty butts.

Ok, I just went through all the feathers around the vent area. No mites. (I guess that's good I can check that off the list.)

 

[Mrs. Foghorn Leghorn]

I wouldn't be doing any meds since if they don't need them, it'll be too hard on their bodies. We prefer hydrohen electrolytes and so do our hens, they won't touch the purina one. Feed with a dropper if needed. Do they show signs of respiratory issues? Vet rx probably isn't helpful otherwise. We like to give ours tuna when they're sick and the hydrohen. Were the new birds from a safe place? I'm so sorry. :-(

I bought a 3-in 1 one, not Purina One. She and the others had no respiratory issues.

The chicks were from a local feed store, then lived 2 months or so in the house before I let them go live in a section of the big hen run (they had their own space). I just lost the 3rd one when I came home from Tractor Supply and errands.

 

[SourRoses]

How is the temperature in the coop overnight, and do they have shade during the day?

We've been getting quite hot here in central FL, and sometimes runny poo can be from heat stress. Heat stroke often kills slowly with few symptoms besides listlessness.