Urgent please help

[Suechooks]

It depends on the mite powder! If it's diatomaceous earth then it will in theory treat all parasites as it is abrasive to them and breaks down the outer layer. If its not then you need something that says it will treat lice. You can get Louse powder but make sure its ok to put on the birds (as opposed to treating the coop). I use Frontline spray but its not licensed for poultry so you may not want to chance it particularly as they're young and vulnerable. My vet does recommend it but not everyone agrees - I know Richmond doesn't.
I do hope you get these poor little souls sorted - then give yourself a pat on the back for dedication to duty!

[RichmondHens]

As Sue says, Diatom will work on mites and lice alike and beyond being careful not to breathe it in, it is perfectly safe. A specific louse powder I like is Barrier Louse Powder, although it's more expensive than Diatom. But again it is safe to use around eggs, chicks etc relying on natural products to repel the lice. If you choose to go down the chemical route, be certain to check whether you need to withdraw eggs - although if your birds aren't laying due to shock this may not be an issue for you right now. I have also found Johnsons Anti Mite and Insect Spray a good louse killer, although there is an egg withdrawal period. The active ingredient is Pyrethrum (a natural insecticide derived from chrysanthemum, not to be confused with Permethrin, which is a synthetic alternative) which breaks down harmlessly in the environment.

[julesapple]

This is an awful thing, poor you Munch!

I've only just seen the thread as we've had our power off for the blown up gas boiler to be replaced. Anyway, I wanted to say that electrolytes are a good thing to have on hand. We have them because they're in a falconer's first aid kit as standard if the falconer's got their head screwed on.

The best way to administer them is a crop tube (we used drinking straws) but you do have to know exactly what you're doing with a crop tube so never try it unless you do.

We also discovered a while back, by accident, that our chooks will drink hot sugary tea! Last week the neighbour's Staffie grabbed Barbara, feathers everywhere but luckily Barb was just shocked and not bitten, and we put down a big bowl of warm very sugary tea for the other girls, treated Barb with electrolytes solution and, apart from Poppy laying a few soft eggs, they are all fine now.

I don't know if there's a YouTube video for crop tube use or a diagram, but DD is just saying that it's easier to do to chooks than BoPs. It's a bit like sword swallowing, head right back and hold on to the lower beak, insert the straw smoothly as you can. On a large fowl the straw goes in about 4 or 5 inches, until it reaches the crop. Once you've inserted the tube or straw, the fluids can be put into the tube using a syringe.

Chicken First Aid Kit

Backyard Poultry Info Centre • View topic - Crop Tube Feeding Instructions

The above are a couple of helpful websites.

Jules

[petal]

Not been on here for a bit as life has been taken over by work. What a nasty shock for you and odd. My initial thought was poison- but must be shock- is it possible a mink or similar creature was threatening them? you have done all the right things, warmth, boiled mashed egg. The bubbly eyed one indicates mycoplasma- like RH says brought on by stress. Nip to the vets and get some tylan?

[Munch]

And the Sebright saga continues!!

Little miss Sebright is now displaying respiratory problems I THINK!

She ha an open beak most of the time and tipping her head back with eyes shut.

Am I right? ... she is going on auction in 2 days

Help? again? please? sorry?

[Suechooks]

I'd be getting her some Tylan from the vet. She sounds as if she is having breathing problems. The vet probably won't prescribe without seeing her though. She certainly sounds unwell.
Doubt she'll be at the auction - don't you have to declare that they're in good health? Never sold at auction so no idea really.

[RichmondHens]

Please don't put her in the auction, she is obviously not well. I would definitely get a vet's opinion.

[Munch]

The Sebrights have now been officially with drawn from the auction and replaced with 2 light sussex x leghorn hens!!

Her breathing seems to have improved, still not great, but better none the less. I have also notice that she is a bit 'weird' on her feet, she is walking like she has massive feet and her balance is all a bit scoo-wiff! It is a little bit like she is drunk.. any ideas?

Im wondering if, the shock (she was very bad) could have bought on some kind of brain damage? is that possible?

She is eating and drinking normally and there is no other sign of illness. (poo, eyes, comb all fine)

[julesapple]

Sounds like stroke symptoms. I guess, in a chicken, it might be caused by shock. When one of ours was like that it turned out to be a swollen spinal injury, but within a few days she was right as rain - probably because the swelling went down. We very nearly dispatched her though because we thought she might be suffering. Glad we didn't.

Jules

[petal]

Finally caught up with the thread, you can't possibly take anything to auction with all this going on- eradicate the suspicion of mycoplasma or other illness first? Sorry to be so blunt but what if its mareks or.....?

[Scarlet]

Yes, sorry I agree with Petal. I would forget the auction until you know for sure that what you have within your flock is not contagious.

[Munch]

We did not go to the auction, although the rest of the flock seem tot be fine, the Sebrights and pekins have were in there own seperate enclosure. The pekins are back to normal but are still isolated in a smal run and coop.

The Sebrights are still in the brooder cage in the kitchen. The Sebright cock is showing no signs of ill heath. The hen, although seems to be getting better by the day, her breathing is much better but her beak is still gaping every now and then. She is still wobbly on her feet, almost as if she has not enough strength to stand tall and walk properly! She is still eating and drinking normally.

I have Tylan on order.

Fingers crossed it has been a result of something bought on by the shock, no signs of it spreading .....(so far)!

[Scarlet]

Have you looked at gape worm? Shaking of the head is a common symptom as is gaping asif they are gasping for breath.

[RichmondHens]

Agree with Scarlet. When were they last wormed? I think now as it's a week since the attack these latest symptoms can't really be put down to shock .......... but chooks are funny things.

Flubenvet 2.5% will get rid of gapeworm. If you only have the 1% which is what is sold as standard for small scale keepers then double up the dosage.

[Munch]

I have now read that it could be Mareks

I am now really worried I am going to loose the rest of my flock, Some of my hen were bought POl and were vaccinated. But what worries me the most is that we have just had to move all of our 5-6 weeks old chicks (Orpingtons, Wyandotte Bantams and a Hubbard) down in the coop and enclosure where the Sebrights were. Along with the 3 Pekins that were in there with the Sebrights.

She is still with the cock and he is not showing any signs of ill health, so thats a good sign right?

This is all just so stressful, I didnt think chicken keeping was so hard!