HELP!! Sick Chickens!

[MIPatriot]

I have two hens that have the runs, one looks very bad. They both have wet rear end feathers and white watery stools. These are my first chickens since I was a child so don't have a lot of expereience with disease.....yet. Any help would be appreciated. TIA

[NHfreedom]

Add a little DE to their food. It helps with worms and other diseases.

[MIPatriot]

Thanks NH, but this is a sudden onset of symptoms in what have been trouble free birds from Murry McMurray hatchery. They are red stars about two yrs old. They are not free ranged and not exposed to other chickens. In fact they havent been outside in several weeks. I have been looking at websites about chicken diseases, but nothing seems to really fit.

I don't think one of them will make it through the night

BTW they are inside with a deep bed system and heated waterer, commercial layer feed, lots of space etc.

[justmedonna]

What makes you think they will not make it through the night?

I have 40 chickens...this is my third set in the last 8 years. I have had many birds get colds in the winter. Yet not one has died.

Birds get sick. They usually recover.

Blessings,
Donna

[grower]

They can still get worms. Try the DE...it won't hurt and it might help. (I'd say let them out of the hen house, too....but that's a personal preference.)

[Summerthyme]

Sounds like coccidiosis.

Do you have a tractor supply or similar store near you? What you're looking for is amprolium (Corid). They should sell a fairly small packet of it... it's still expensive. (but nothing like the gallon jug of liquid!!!)

Directions will be on the packet as far as mixing, etc.

If they look as bad as you say, putting the medicine down them PLUS some electrolytes with a syringe is vital... they can die very quickly from dehydration. Mix up some of the WHO formula (1/4 tsp EACH salt, Lite Salt, baking soda, and 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar to 1 quart water) and see if you can get a tablespoon or so down them every couple hours.

Cocci is an odd disease, in that they can sort of "carry" it and then have it "break" under stress. It sounds like you're doing everything right, but it happens...

Summerthyme

[Homesteader]

I think Summerthyme is right.

Another thing that helps sick chickens--apple cider vinegar in their water. I usually add a splash (1/4 cup or so) to a gallon of water.

It won't hurt so nothing ventured, nothing gained.

DE won't hurt them either.

Barley is also a good detoxifier for chickens. Substitute barley for their regular rations for 3-7 days.

[MIPatriot]

What makes you think they will not make it through the night?

I have 40 chickens...this is my third set in the last 8 years. I have had many birds get colds in the winter. Yet not one has died.

Birds get sick. They usually recover.

Blessings,
Donna

This ONE hen is very listless with her head tucked down to her chest, I have raised lot's of livestock in the past just not chickens. I can see it in her "lack of demeanor" she is very ill

[MIPatriot]

They can still get worms. Try the DE...it won't hurt and it might help. (I'd say let them out of the hen house, too....but that's a personal preference.)

Thanks. I will try the DE. And I have tried to let them out a couple of times and they just stay in. Not big fans of the snow theses girls

[packyderms_wife]

Thanks. I will try the DE. And I have tried to let them out a couple of times and they just stay in. Not big fans of the snow theses girls

Everything everyone said above esp. what ST said, and check their area for mice or rats. They could be eating rodent feces which is not good.

K-