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10:37 am
June 12, 2011
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Hi there everyone,
I've got a problem with my chickens. A few weeks ago I bought four Polish chicks, 2 months old. They seemed as healthy as any chicks I'd ever laid eyes on, and once I got them home, after the brief introductery period with the rest of the flock, they fit right in. They were the scrappiest little beggars, darting in and out arond the other chicken's feet, and getting more food than anyone other than the geese. Two days ago, I went out to let the chickens into the yard, and I found one of the chicks acting strange. She was holding her wings out a little from her body, like they were sliding off her back, and her head was drooping a little, and she kept kind of coughing or wheezing, sort of like she had dust from food in her throat. She wouldn't drink and had very little interest in food. I quarentined all four chicks in the coop (they can't be seperated; they'd pine for each other) and left them with food and water. By that afternoon, the chick was back to normal, and I had no qualms leaving them free in the coop that night with the others. Unfortunately, in the morning I found the one chick trampled and dead in the corner of the coop. The other chicks were still fine, and so I disposed of the body and tried to forget about the issue. Then, this morning, one chick didn't come out of the coop. She exhibits the same symptoms as the first chick did. The other two chicks that did come out of the coop are also acting like that (wings held out from the body a little, heads drooping, wheezing a little, etc.) but aren't quite as bad as she is. I have them in the coop in a large cage, so the other chickens can't peck them. What do I do? It seems to be a contaigeous disease. Will my other birds get it? It could be roughly three zillion things, and I have no idea how to help them. Thanks so much! 
11:33 am
February 10, 2009
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Well, you're right, it could be roughly three zillion different things… maybe four zillion! At the risk of sounding preachy, and yes, I know it's too late now, but it's always reccomended that all new birds be isolated for at least 4 weeks to be sure they're not carrying anything nasty. I know, shutting the barn door after the horse has run off, but this is really an example of why.
Yes I know it can be difficult if you only have one coop or barn, but it's key in keeping everyone healthy. OK, nuff of that.
Is there any blood in any poop? ANY? are they sneezing or wheezing? is there a bad smell around their beaks or heads? that could mean sour crop, or botulism if they are able to get into old compost or really nasty leftovers. or are they just generally being droopy and ill?
One easy thing is to pick up some NON-IRON Poly-vi-sol liquid baby vitamins (about $7-10 at Walmart which is the only place I can find it anymore! Usually I hate going to Wallyworld) and give them a couple drops in their beaks. This is tricky, they don't want you doing this, just be patient and you'll get it, or else you can put a good squirt in some water if they're drinking.
Sometimes I think this stuff is a miracle cure, sometimes I think it's nonesense, but it's doable and not harmful, and it does seem to help more often than not. just make sure it is NOT the kind with iron in it. Remember, NO IRON!!! It's very bad for chickens.
Also, you could try getting some sulmet, usually at a feed store or Tractor Supply etc. This is an antibacterial, not an antibiotic. Goes in their drinking water for 2 or 3 days, then half as much for a couple more.
You are only hoping that this will help of course. It's nearly impossible to actually diagnose them accurately. A Vet who specializes in Avian diseases may do well at it, but that's an expensive proposition and a $300.00 vet bill for a $4.00 chicken just isn't going to happen at my house… even for a dozen $4.00 chickens.
12:08 pm
June 12, 2011
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Yeah, I know I should have kept them isolated for a while before introducing them to the flock. I now have another barn opening up, so I can use that soon with any new birds. Sometimes this gal needs a bit of preaching to get it through her thick skull!! 
No, I don't smell anything and they don't appear to have blood in the droppings….I'll go check that out more closely though. They're just acting generally ill, which doesn't make it any easier to help them. I'll check at Walmart for the Poly-vi-sol….I don't like going there either, but if that's the only place to find the stuff, I'm willing to give it a go. The vet is definitely not an option because these chicks only cost me $20…and even that was too much! Every time I think I've got the whole chicken thing down pat, they find some new way to throw me for a loop. Thanks for giving me something to try.
4:14 pm
November 8, 2011
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Hi there Fowl Cholera is a fast hitting disease and usually the first sign is dead birds, they get stiff joints (the head back thing) and bluish combs and heads, increased water intake, difficulty breathing and generally acting ill. The suggested antibiotic is a Sulfas such as sulfamerazine or sulfamethazine. This info is from "Veterinary Guide for Animal Owners". I hope this helps.
5:41 pm
June 12, 2011
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I did lose another bird but the other two are looking better (eating and drinking again) so I'll just watch them and keep them isolated. The first one that died did appear to get better for a while, so I'm not getting my hopes up. At least the rest of the flock is still acting normal. Thank you BuckeyeGirl and Jenn777! This forum and the people here are a great place to go when disaster strikes in the coop. Even if it was my own stupid fault….
5:49 pm
August 24, 2011
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Don't blame yourself! I don't know nothin' bout no chickens. But I don't want you to feel bad. Poo happens. :(
6:54 pm
February 10, 2009
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Yep, chickens aren't exactly easy to figure out when they get sick, partly because they hide it so well for as long as they absolutely can so they don't attract predators. That means we often don't see things in time to help them.
As far as the quarantine thing goes, it's hard to do it all the time, it's often a matter of time, space, and not enough equipment, plus they just wanna be with their buds! Like Cassie said, don't kick yourself over it! It was just as likely things would have been fine, or else they actually picked something up from your old hens that affected them, not that they brought something with them. Your old hens may have an immunity to whatever it is, but the new ones were susceptible. Not something anyone can predict. 
Just gotta move on!
10:31 am
June 12, 2011
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Well, thanks for the help and encouragement, guys! One of the remaining two chicks isn't going to make it, but I have high hopes for the other one. She's acting totally normal and appears to have gotten over whatever it was (let's hope!). I'm very thankful that my silkie pullet, who appears to have some maternal instincts even at the age of 5 months, didn't catch whatever the chicks have. She came with the chicks and was 'mothering' them. I'm starting to learn why silkies are so often regarded as pets rather than livestock. She's so so sweet. 
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