I've had some personal experiences this week that I learned some lessons from that I'm hoping to share with you all to prevent some problems. I'll give the short version of the story. One bird got sick a few days ago, couldn't stand, very listless, poop was runny and pale yellow (like a cooked egg yolk). The poop is an indication of problems laying (swollen oviducts, internal laying etc), she was not eggbound, I checked. :( I quarantined her and gave her apple cider vinegar water, yogurt, vitamin E and calcium (liquid vitamins-- squeezed out into a cherry tomato) she has gradually been getting better over the past few days, though not out of the woods. Then last night I saw my weakest, bottom of the pecking order (also mildly retarded I believe) hen sleeping in the middle of the pen on the ground. I thought maybe the other birds wouldn't let her in the coop so I picked her up and tried to put her in and she couldn't stand, her legs were paralyzed etc. I put her into a small cage I had, did the unpleasant egg-binding checks, after I finished that, she had the same runny yellow poop indicative of laying problems. She died sometime during the night.I considered having a necropsy done, but the lab is in Tucson and she'd already been dead for some time. I did however speak with the doctor/vet at the county lab down in Tucson trying to figure out what the problem was. We still aren't completely sure, but his best guess is that it's really just a fluke (he ruled out a lot of potential culprits), it got hot fast which will stress out the birds and the weaker ones are more prone to illness, the pale yellow poop/egg problem could even be something secondary. BUT one thing we did talk about was botulism. I had been doing some research since one of the main symptoms in poultry is that the legs become paralyzed and it moves up the body. He said that it probably wasn't botulism, but just to be on the safe side, not to allow chickens into the compost. (Spoiled food is an awesome way of contracting botulism) Someone asked a similar question about this at the last chicken class and I didn't have a good answer at the time. I know there are lots of us that like to integrate our chickens and compost, and they do an awesome job of tearing it up in there, but it might be better to do things like have their roosts over the compost bin, but to have some wire mesh or something separating them so they don't have access to the actual compost. I know lots of people have really great chicken/compost set-ups and haven't had any problems with illness, but for those of you that are just getting into chickens I wanted to post this so just so you would be more informed and better able to make an educated decision that seems right for you.
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Hi Rachel,
Man....I am so sorry about your hens. I hope your other is recovering well. I have a poop question....how runny is runny? My laying hens vary from pudding to soft cookie dough with a white cap. When it is a bit runnier, it is a goldish brown color. Should I be concerned?
Maybe you can have a class on summer chicken maintenance...maybe invite the nice DVM, Nathan Scholten to give us some advice...you have quite a following and I know I wouldn't miss the opportunity. We could start a chicken user group where we can share our stories and see in person how we all cope with 'chickenhood' oh, and of course we could do the 'egg-themed' potluck for sure!....=0)
Good luck,
Susan
I would love to have a class just on "Poop" (just kidding, but Chickens part 2 would be great) I am confused too about what is normal & what is not. My chicks seem to have every consistency too; runny, firm w/ white cap & a few mucousy w/ red??? !!!
Thanks Susan, the first hen is recovering well. She's acting completely normal, I'm just waiting to see if she begins laying again. Though I wouldn't expect anything for a few weeks because of the stress of illness.
The poop you're talking about all sounds within normal range to me. Variations in diet and hydration and probably a few other things can do that, just like people. When I said runny, it was basically the consistency of oil (even before I did the egg-bound check) and the pale opaque yellow color of a cooked egg yolk.
I try to cover summer maintenance in the regular chicken class, I don't know if there's really enough info to take up an entire class. I have been thinking about a Keeping Chickens part 2 class, that sounds like something that could be included. I would be more than happy (thrilled even) if Nathan wanted to talk about the health/disease/treatment aspect in a class like that.
Hi,
sorry to hear about your two chickens.
FWIW I posted a synopsis of your email to VIN (Veterinary Information Network) avian/poultry. Hopefully,
they will be able to shed more light on the situation. In the future, if you need a necropsy done drop me a line.
I have a boarded veterinary pathologist that leases space from me and I can get you the necropsy done at cost.
If you need routine cytology, fecals, etc I can do them in house at no charge ( I will just work them in during my spare time).
Respectfully,
You are most welcome. The offer also applies to other poultry keepers in this group as well.
Jane Doyle > Nathan ScholtenMay 12, 2009 at 12:39pm
Nathan, you are a very kind and generous soul. When I saw before that you were a DVM, I knew you had to be way cool. Now you've gone and proved it. :o)
Beth Kramer > Nathan ScholtenMay 12, 2009 at 12:38pm
Replies
Man....I am so sorry about your hens. I hope your other is recovering well. I have a poop question....how runny is runny? My laying hens vary from pudding to soft cookie dough with a white cap. When it is a bit runnier, it is a goldish brown color. Should I be concerned?
Maybe you can have a class on summer chicken maintenance...maybe invite the nice DVM, Nathan Scholten to give us some advice...you have quite a following and I know I wouldn't miss the opportunity. We could start a chicken user group where we can share our stories and see in person how we all cope with 'chickenhood' oh, and of course we could do the 'egg-themed' potluck for sure!....=0)
Good luck,
Susan
The poop you're talking about all sounds within normal range to me. Variations in diet and hydration and probably a few other things can do that, just like people. When I said runny, it was basically the consistency of oil (even before I did the egg-bound check) and the pale opaque yellow color of a cooked egg yolk.
I try to cover summer maintenance in the regular chicken class, I don't know if there's really enough info to take up an entire class. I have been thinking about a Keeping Chickens part 2 class, that sounds like something that could be included. I would be more than happy (thrilled even) if Nathan wanted to talk about the health/disease/treatment aspect in a class like that.
You will see me in another chicken class soon...
Thanks,
Susan
sorry to hear about your two chickens.
FWIW I posted a synopsis of your email to VIN (Veterinary Information Network) avian/poultry. Hopefully,
they will be able to shed more light on the situation. In the future, if you need a necropsy done drop me a line.
I have a boarded veterinary pathologist that leases space from me and I can get you the necropsy done at cost.
If you need routine cytology, fecals, etc I can do them in house at no charge ( I will just work them in during my spare time).
Respectfully,
Nathan J. Scholten D.V.M.
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