Today I have just had my beatiful buff Orp Tallulah PTS and two weeks ago my handsome blue frizzled cochin cockerel Bruiser died. I have a lavender leghorn and a Dutch braekel bantam remaining who at the moment look to be in good health. However, I am concerned this could change and don't really want to lose any more chooks. Also we were just considereing rehoming some other hens which will now be on hold until I can get to the bottom of what killed the others. This is where I would appreciate any advice from more experienced owners than I.
We got the four chooks together this time last year. The cockerel always seemed 'not quite right' and after a few months we very nearly lost him with a very sudden onset resp infection. Large vet bill later and he pulled through. He still failed to thrive though but having taken him to a general vet I got little extra help. Then he became more and more lethargic, stopped crowing & jumping on his girls but with no other clinicla signs. Next thing we found him dead. Tallulah then went a little off colour but as she had just lot her buddy & was moulting I didn't think too much of it. However, she quickly became lethargic, lost weight and went on to have greenish foul-smelling diarhoea. Vet put her on baytril but no specific diagnosis other than it could be coccidiosis. A day later she was v poorly and I called it a day.
I have had a faecal sample sent off but gather this may not be conclusive. In other people's experience does this sound like coccidiosis? What should I do to protect my other hens? They free range over 1/4 acre but obviously shared the hen house? I'm thinking I should clean the house with Bi-oo-cyst & perhaps treat with Coxoid? When might it be safe to add any other hens?
Sorry about the essay but I just want to feel like I'm doing something... Thanks.