Liquid Diarrhea and Sneezing

[breadary]

In the past I've had a LOT of problems with the chickens I've had. The first batch of chicks I ever got, I got 5 and only one survived. I got 2 more chickens to keep it company only to later find out that the chicken that survived was in fact a Rooster. So I gave him away to my one friend who also has chickens and their rooster had recently died and they were looking for another. Happy end to my chicken failures right? Wrong. Last Sunday one of the 2 chickens I kept from the first fiasco, died. The day before she died she seemed to have some watery diarrhea, so I thought it was from me feeding her water Rooster Booster(before that my other chicken had seemed to have a very slight mild case of wry neck so I was putting Rooster Booster in their water so she would get better(she doesn't do anything that the other bird doesn't. They were inseparable so I fed them the same))So, seeing the diarrhea I changed their water back to normal and thought she would be fine. The next morning I woke up to find her at the door to the coop dead. So I brought the last one in the house so she wasn't left all alone out there in the coop(she's in the big cage I kept them in when they were pullets)
and she had been seeming to kind of sneeze even before the one that passed away, but when she got in the cage I thought I'd feed her a bag of feed I was saving when they were done but because it sounded like it was really healthy for them I fed her it in hopes that she would get a little bit better with the sneeze and it would keep her healthy, but then she recently had been having diarrhea that was very liquid. Once she even pooed what looked like actual water. Like it was clear and liquid with nothing in it. She isn't lethargic, she only gets sleepy at night, I gave her some apple cider vinegar I was told that helps with diarrhea. After I gave her that her poo the next morning was more solid but she still has diarrhea. Please let me know if you have had this happen before or know what's happening.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The day before she died she seemed to have some watery diarrhea, so I thought it was from me feeding her water Rooster Booster(before that my other chicken had seemed to have a very slight mild case of wry neck so I was putting Rooster Booster

The next morning I woke up to find her at the door to the coop dead. So I brought the last one in the house so she wasn't left all alone out there in the coop(she's in the big cage I kept them in when they were pullets)
and she had been seeming to kind of sneeze even before the one that passed away, but when she got in the cage I thought I'd feed her a bag of feed I was saving when they were done but because it sounded like it was really healthy for them I fed her it in hopes that she would get a little bit better with the sneeze and it would keep her healthy, but then she recently had been having diarrhea that was very liquid. Once she even pooed what looked like actual water. Like it was clear and liquid with nothing in it. She isn't lethargic, she only gets sleepy at night,

Welcome to BYC, I'm sorry to hear about your loss.

How old it the chicken that is having problems?
Can you post some photos of her and the poop?

You mention you had a bag of feed that you were saving - what type of feed is it and how long have you had it - can you look for a manufacturer's date on the bag?
What do you normally feed your chickens?

How often is this one sneezing? Can you look at the nostrils, are they clear of mucous and debris. Look inside the beak for any obstructions. Any facial swelling or watery eyes?

I would also check her crop to make sure it's emptying overnight.

Look forward to more information and your photos.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings breadary,

Diarrhea in a chicken is a symptom that occurs for many reasons. Infection somewhere in the body is usually the cause.

When a chicken is sneezing continuously, this may indicate an upper respiratory illness. And, this can cause the chicken to have diarrhea, as well, as to urinate. This is the water you are seeing. It is not normal for a chicken to urinate liquid.

There is no way to know for sure, if the chicken's illness is caused by a virus or bacteria. But, administering a broad spectrum antibiotic will treat the infection, if it is caused by bacteria. It is also helpful in protecting the chicken from a secondary infection, if the cause is a virus. Food and ACV, are not medicines that will treat infections.

Keep the chicken out of drafts and well fed, and hydrated. If she has diarrhea, you should put electrolytes in the water, for 3 days, instead of ACV, then, fresh water.

There are many antibotics that can treat a respiratory illness: Tylan, Baytril, Doxycycline, and Denagard (Tiamulin hydrogen fumarate) are the most common. A keeper must know how to administer these medicines, safely. Some cannot be administered with other medications, and most have an egg withdrawal period.

Because you have had so many deaths trying to keep chickens, you should try to find an Avian Vet, or an Exotic animal Vet, to help your chicken. They will be better equipped to accurately diagnose and provide you with a course of treatment.

Chickens usually do not recover from respiratory illnesses on their own. This is why most of your chickens have died. The first chicken that died, passed the infection to your second chicken. Many chicken illnesses are infectious. That's why a keeper must be vigilant and ready to treat illness in the flock. But, you must first have a reasonable diagnosis, then, appropriate medications for the chicken. Supportive care is also very important. It is good you brought you chicken into the house.

If you cannot take the chicken to a vet, you will have to obtain a broad spectrum antibiotic yourself. You can check the local farm/feed store for a medication.

These are my thoughts on your chicken issue, I hope I have been helpful.
Other members will have advice, please consider them too.

God Bless