dead cockrell

[shez]

I had 5 ex batts and a cockrell then 6 weeks ago we introduced an older rhode island red and 6 chicks then over the next couple of weeks 4 more hens. As this was happening the ex batts stopped laying and one of them has been losing feathers on her back and has lost quite a few now also another ex bat had a closed eye and was slightly puffy although we have cleaned her eye and she seems to be slowly getting better, we put it down to stress but over the weekend sadly we found the cockrell dead in the corner of the run. For the week before when he did a poo he puffed up his body and kind of looked constipated and then did a runny poo. 2 of our new hens are laying, 2 arent quite old enough we think yet and one ex batt has started laying but am concerned that the ex batts arent laying because of something more sinister than stress. We are really concerned have checked for lice and treated them all with red mite powder although we cant see anything in the coop or on the birds. I just wondered if the puffing out of the cock then really having to squeeze his poo could mean anything. When he died his rear end seemed really swollen and had faeces stuck in it. Poor thing any ideas I am really concerned for the other hens.
thanks Sheryl

 

[Davidd]

Hello, it sounds like the new additions have brought something in with them- you should really keep new arrivals separate for a few weeks to make sure they are healthy.
As it's too late now to do that you can just watch to make sure all is ok- at the first signs of illness you need to take them to or call a vet- they will probably need antibiotics for the whole flock. A dirty bottom is one sign of lice but if you have powdered the birds recently then that should rule them out.
sometimes birds will just die and without a p.m. you will never know the cause. As long as the others are eating/drinking and acting normally then just watch for signs of illness and act asap. sorry i cant be of more help Birds have a tendency to hide symptons of illness and when they appear it can sometimes be too late- you need to act as quickly as you can .Hope the rest of your flock is ok.
regards, David

 

[shez]

Thanks so much David. I think the old broody hen we got with the chicks may be the one who brought something as we have since bought 4 other hens ppoint of lay and 2 have started laying yet the other two still look very young but really healthy and one ex batt out if the 5 we have has started laying so I don't understand how only some seem sick not all. I am quite new to the whole thing but I luv my chickens!!! I think we may take the old broody back to the farm we bought her from and maybe take the 2 ex batts that look a bit sick (the one losing her feathers and the one with the poorly eye) they look after them there and I can visit. What do you think do you think that is ok?
Sheryl x

 

[Davidd]

Hi, why not just keep them?- the damage, (if any, is already done) If they have settled in and seem happy them i would let them stay getting any more new birds you risk re-infecting your flock- just my thoughts
regards, David

 

[shez]

I am going to keep all the new birds it's just the sickly ones I was going to take to the farm as they have more experience looking after them and I would hate to put them at risk by doing something wrong or not notice if they are in any pain. Although the only symptoms they have is that they have stopped laying and one has lost alot of feathers and the other one a closed eye although after bathing it in warm water it seems to be getting better. If we haven't given them antibiotics could they just get better on their own again and start laying I am so scared of going out one day and finding my ladies dead I just want to do what is best for them.
Thanks so much for all the advice x

 

[Davidd]

Hi, if they have stopped laying and are losing feathers they are probably moulting- nothing to worry about-and no illness they will moult out the old feathers and grow new ones every year. Also, if her eye is getting better then that's good- it should improve on it's own
regards, David