"Mystery" Illness. Need Some Help Please.

[marymas245]

Hi All. Over the past year, I have lost two hens to a 'mystery' illness. It started with one hen who had a poopy butt. I treated her for a few things. The first was fungal. Even ordered Nystatin for her orally. It did not help. I then tried to deworm her. Also, did not help. Last resort, I tried Corid. She ultimately passed away. I took fecal sample to the vet to check for worms and it was negative. I never knew what it was. I lost another hen to this a few weeks ago. There was about two months between the two. I now have another hen with the poopy butt. It has been about three weeks since the other hen passed. Not all my hens have this. I am treating them all with Corid right now, but I am really at a loss. It is my understanding that Coccidiosis does not kill with so much time in-between. Does anyone have any thoughts on what this may be?

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[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. How old were the hens? Did they lay eggs and were their eggs normal? Were they eating and drinking? If I have a sick hen, I will check them for lice and mites. Then early in the morning I check their crops, to make sure they have emptied overnight. Then I check to see if the lower belly below the vent is enlarged, which might be a symptom of water belly or egg yolk peritonitis. Pictures of the droppings may help. A good way to learn what might have caused a death, is to have your state vet do a necropsy where they also test for diseases and cancer. Some of us do home necropsies which are not as complete, but you sometimes can see some clues of certain conditions.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi All. Over the past year, I have lost two hens to a 'mystery' illness. It started with one hen who had a poopy butt. I treated her for a few things. The first was fungal. Even ordered Nystatin for her orally. It did not help. I then tried to deworm her. Also, did not help. Last resort, I tried Corid. She ultimately passed away. I took fecal sample to the vet to check for worms and it was negative. I never knew what it was. I lost another hen to this a few weeks ago. There was about two months between the two. I now have another hen with the poopy butt. It has been about three weeks since the other hen passed. Not all my hens have this. I am treating them all with Corid right now, but I am really at a loss. It is my understanding that Coccidiosis does not kill with so much time in-between. Does anyone have any thoughts on what this may be?

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Can you post photos of the hen, her butt and her poop?

How old is the hen, when was her last egg, is her crop emptying, does she have lice/mites?
What did you deworm with?

 

[LaFleche]

What exactly are you feeding them, how old is the feed?

Do they have granite grit and crushed oyster shells available free choice?

What kind of water do you use fot your birds?