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Post by thebean11 on May 27, 2010 16:47:51 GMT 8
I have just gone out to the run to discover our Silkie has passed away. We picked up our chickens on Saturday just gone . The Silkie was was approx 8 weeks old. I had noticed that the Silkie had been getting under the bigger hens and also pecking at there beaks when feeding. This morning when my daughter was in the run feeding and checking water the Silkie was kind of yawning and making a singing sound (the only way to describe it). Is any able to shed any light on what may have been wrong with the Silkie (long shot) and what I can do to make sure the other two hens dont fall ill. They seem very strong and not as fragile as the Silkie appeared....My daughter is absolutely devestated as she was so exited at the propect of ahaving a Silkie. Thanks in advance Leah
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Post by fluffychook on May 27, 2010 17:08:14 GMT 8
So sorry to hear about the loss of your daughters silkie, Leah. The yawning and singing could of been there was either something stuck in its throat or it has a respiratory problem. Was there any nasal discharge or sneezing. Another thing if you still have the bird is to check if it was thin, the breast bone will feel very sharp and did it have any food in its crop. Pecking at the hens beak could mean it was hungry you may need to put more food stations out for younger birds. Another thing is to contact the person you bought it from and let them know what has happened as they may be able to shed more light on the possible problem and if any of their own flock has had problems.
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Post by annieyokie on May 27, 2010 17:14:56 GMT 8
Chicks especially at that age can die from allot of things Cocci infestation from new soil and feed is one . You can have a chick or bird that is immune to the protozoa in one set of soil (where it came from) ..move them and they go down with something that doesn't worry the other birds . There are some of the cold virus's can hit in no time... The funny noise is a indicator something was brewing It may have been a weak chick or anything ,I find the silkies to be fragile when young but strong as adults . Are they still having chickie crumble or grower crumbles .? Is their bedding dry and do they still have night heat. Was it looking fluffed up ,head in ? Was it drinking alot? I would give them a little yogurt in their feed to build their strength and good gut bacteria .Have a look at my web site on health also I wrote a newsletter in cold and flue problems in chooks for Brendon's ..Egg exchange .Ill post the web site www.eggschangeauctions.com/newsletter/May%202010%20News.pdfRather than go on forever that will give you an idea of several possibilities
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Post by thebean11 on May 27, 2010 20:45:41 GMT 8
Thanks for you replies. ;D The Silkie had no nasal discharge and no sneezing but when we got the hens home I did notice that one of the other seemed to have little bubble occasionly forming on its beak/nostrils. It definately had food in its crop and did not feel bony. The hens are on grower crumble and are also getting scraps. There bedding is dry and I have been draping a blanket over the bedroom at night to keep any draughts out. The silkie was not fluffed up seemed to look vacant at time and I assumed it was a little younger than the other two?? I did not notice oif the Silkie was drinkng alot. Do you suggest I give the others yoghurt just in case? Do i just mix the yoghurt with the normal crumble? Thanks for the link anniyokie I will definatley make up some of the honey and garlic mix also sounds good for humans I fell like I have let the chicken world down with this happening as it is our fist time at keeping chickens...maybe older chicken would have been better but i wanted the chicken and my kids to bond
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Post by Bassomussiesandsilversussex on May 27, 2010 21:59:59 GMT 8
Sorry to hear about your loss.
Where did you get the chickens from?
I agree that contact the person you purchased the chickens from and see if any other chooks had any problems.
Keep an eye out for the others. Terry
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Post by annieyokie on May 28, 2010 1:49:50 GMT 8
It dose sound as though it had something going on in its system.I would say one of the many viruses or bacterias . They can hit a bird fast and you can have instant death .If it had a virus the extra stress/shock of moving could have weakened its imune system further. Standing by he water container and drinking alot is a give away something is not right. I would watch the others especially the one with the nose bubbling . Ask the people you got them from if any others have got sick recently Was it a breeder ? Doesn't sound like cocci so you don't really need to give yogurt or extra food but I like to give my chicks it occasionally (tablespoon watered down and added to handful of crumble to make a mash for 3-6 chicks/chooks depending on age )helps to build good flora in their gut . I would go to a stock food shop and get some dry garlic crumbles. They are cheap you can get 250 gms-500gms for a few $ s .,I buy 2 kg lots (more chooks)for $12.50 As they are natural antibiotics they can help prevent secondary infections if they do get a cold......also help prevent parasite infestations . Again I mix about a 1/2-1 tea-spoon per chook in the crumble when they are sick . I also do that regularly just for good health . :'(So sad to lose a chick it happens to the best of us .I hate it and always feel responsible but birds have very sensitive systems. I agree its good to get them young so they can bond and become more use to people contact but there is a risk .Its a catch 22 Day olds can be worse. Chickens of all types are so vulnerable . I still have night heat for mine in this weather until they are 9-10 weeks they don't always use it ,some like to roost early .
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Post by quambie on May 28, 2010 20:00:08 GMT 8
Boy Oh Boy Can I bring my chook to your place annieyokie thought I spoilt my chooks good on you we all do it If you remember when I first got my silky in I lost two one roo and a hen I think it was just the shock of moving to a new place com to think of it its just one of those things not nice but it happens Trev
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Post by thebean11 on Jun 3, 2010 22:05:08 GMT 8
I contacted the people I purchased the Chickens from and they mentioned nothing about any problems they have/had with other chicks.
I have now stocked up with goodies from the stockfeed and supermarket so hopefully I can rid my Wyandotte of her runny nose.
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