I have a chicken dieing!

[painteddaisy]

Long story short;

We had really weird weather here today. It was warm and raining this morning, did the usual feeding, put the waterer outside (it was warm). By noon the temp had dropped dramatically and all the birds went into their house, the wind blew the door shut and I didn't think any more of it.
When I went out at 4:00 they were all in there super thirsty ofcourse, but one, my Sassy, wasn't doing good, week and lethargic, so I brought her in thinking it was just dehydration.
But now she's failing, I think she'll be dead by morning She has very watery stools and her head is down and clear liquid pouring out of her beak. Poor girl, I wish I knew what to do to help her!
All the others seem fine, was it my fault? Does it sound like a bug? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

[auntieemu]

www.nda.agric.za/docs/poultry/poultrydisease.htm

There are many different types of organisms that can cause diarrhoea, which include:

* Bacteria (Salmonella, E. coli, Pasteurella)
* Viruses (Newcastle disease, gumboro disease)
* Parasites (coccidiosis, worms)
* Fungi (Candida, Aspergillus)

Treatment

* Use an antibiotic or coccidiostatic drug in the water that was recommended by the animal health technician or veterinarian in the water for 3 to 5 days.
* Stress preparations that contain electrolytes, vitamins and minerals can be added to the water.

UPPER RESPIRATORY DISEASES

Signs in sick chickens

* The sinuses of the chicken (the area between the eye and the beak) are swollen. These may be swollen in such a way that the eyes are closed.
* Tears and wetness often occur around the eyes and nostrils. The discharge from the nostrils may look like clear water in the early stages but can become cloudy and yellow when secondary bacterial infections cause complications.
* Sneezing
* Coughing
* Difficulty in breathing. They breathe with an open beak and you can hear a snoring or clicking sound
* Loss of appetite
* Weakness
* Weight loss

Signs in dead chickens

* A very red windpipe and throat
* Fluid in the windpipe

Causes

There are many different types of organisms that can cause disease in the upper respiratory tract. These include:

* Mycoplasma
* Bacteria (E. coli, Pasteurella, Haemophilus)
* Viruses (Newcastle disease, influenza, infectious bronchitis, infectious laryngotracheitis)
* Parasites (mites and worms)
* Fungi (Aspergillus)

Treatment

* Use an antibiotic drug that was recommended by your animal health technician or veterinarian in the water for 3 to 5 days
* Stress preparations that contain electrolytes, vitamins and minerals can be added to the water

[painteddaisy]

Well, Thankyou for your info Auntieemu, but she's gone, no time to get antibiotics. Whatever it was swept through her fast! She was gone in 6 hours.

Poor Sassy, she was a real pet!

I will pick up some bird medicines on Monday just to have on hand in case something like this ever happens again!
The thing I hate the most is it's so hard to tell what it is, so many diseases have the very same symptoms!

[bobclark]

not trying to push the dope, but you may want to concider a low dose to all your birds as a preventative. I chose not to because I dont like anibioticsbut they do work

[Deleted]

Put apple cider vinegar in the water for the next few days. Not sure why it works but it does. It's the "duct tape" of poultry.

[auntieemu]

Yeah, from what you said I figured it would be too late. I'm really sorry. On the up side, you are going to do what you can to be ready if it ever happens again. That is a responsible, caring attitude to have about your livestock and I praise you for it.

[painteddaisy]

Thanks everyone!

I wonder how much Apple Cider Vinigar do I put in the water? Just a few Tablespoons?