Can anyone help me with my sick chicken?

In the past, I have prided myself in being able to keep my chickens healthy and well. I feed them organic, soy-free feed from Azure and though some get ill, I have always been able to cure them with my raw milk, colloidal silver routine.

Well, about 2 months ago, my 1 year old sexlink became lethargic, progressively getting worse. Symptoms: sleeping all of the time standing up, eating much less, no pruning, no dusting, and no laying, super watery poop, and extreme weight loss.

We found the little orange mites on her (feather lice) and treated her for that. She seemed to get a little better, then 3 days after treatment started, she died.

Now I have a 11 month old barred rock who is showing the same signs. Though she is still eating, and weighs a good weight, we found her this morning, laying in the coop, unable to get up. We fed her and got her going again, but she has other weird issues that existed before the lethargy hit. She has crooked neck and looks like a broken wing. She walks sideways and unstable. However, was still laying though crooked. I don't think she has laid in about 3 weeks, and the lethargy has really increased.

Do any of you amazing chicken raisers, or smart farmers know what I should do? Can I bring her to you for analyzing? I just don't want this to spread, though it really just seems to effect the already weak birds.

No worms in poop that I can tell, not egg-bound (again, that I can tell), but I feel so helpless and frustrated.

I did switch their food recently (about the time symptoms increased) to another organic soy-free but have switched back just yesterday.

Please please help me!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Karis on March 22, 2012 at 7:54am

Tylan is what I use, the good thing about it is that it has good activity against lots of different bacteria as well as microchorizal infections (which is what mine had.) If you only have time to try one medication with them, do Tylan.

Treat the entire flock with Tylan for at least 7 days, even better to do 10. C & H Haybarn on Cavecreek rd. is the only place I know of that will sell you syringes and needles over the counter. You will probably need 4-6 syringes and for needles (number of chickens X number of days of treatment.) I usually apply the medication subcutaneously under the skin at the back of their neck. i find its easier then trying to put it in the muscle. you can probably get away with a 20 guage needle because tylan is a bit thick. (do you have tylan, or did you order it?)

I have 9 hens. When I have to give medication to my hens, either my husband or my oldest daughter helps me by holding the chicken so that I can give the shots. you might consider wearing leather gloves to prevent sticking yourself, although you will probably still do it at least once.

You can do this. You're stronger than you might think. You are about to earn your animal healthcare badge.

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Permalink Reply by Andrea Vanderhule on March 22, 2012 at 8:46am

I actually do not have any at this point. I just didn't know if that's what I should use and if that's what used in this situation. The EE with the breathing issue this morning is not struggling, or listless. She is walking around eating and pecking, but more, it sounds as if something is stuck in her nose or throat. Every inhale and exhale is a wheeze. Does that sound like the respiratory issue or just something stuck?

Does the Haybarn sell Tylan? And I have 20 birds..do I still just need 4-6 syringes or do I need one per hen?

I am going to email you now so you have my address!

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Permalink Reply by Karis on March 22, 2012 at 9:07am

You can call the Haybarn and see if they have it. I ordered it from First State Vet Supply.

You can sterilize and reuse the syringes but not the needles. I'd call ahead to make sure that the haybarn will have 200 needles. Get the meds ordered today...

With a flock that size, I'd isolate any symptomatic chickens in a completely separate area from the coop.

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Permalink Reply by Suze Scott on March 22, 2012 at 5:00pm

Have you checked the ill ones (and others) for mites and lice? On the earlier one who had lice, how did you treat?

IMO, mites and lice are very common vectors for illnesses. You can give tylan orally as well as via injection. I agree with Rachel that coccidiosis would be a concern; also, when a chicken is ill, things like coccidiosis seem to take off as well.

The bleeding you describe would concern me--especially if you did not find injuries (you did not say).