A few questions: How are their poops? Normal, or are they a wierd, color, consistency or smell? Are they eating and drinking normally?

Check them over (the well ones too, for comparison). Pick them up and inspect their vents for dirty, poopy feathers. Feel their breastbone (keel) to check for weight loss. Pry open their beaks and look inside for anything unusual (chickens have deep grooves in their upper palate which is normal) such as growths, worms, etc.

Have they been exposed to any toxins--liquids (like antifreeze), anything they could have eaten, like a poisionous plant? Have they been wormed recently (or ever)? Do you suspect Coccidiosis?

Until you figure out what is wrong, you can give the birds supportive therapy in the form of giving them unflavored Pedialyte (from the grocery store baby aisle) to drink, it boosts their electrolytes. You can also give them goodies to eat to keep nutrition in them, such as cooked ground beef, scrambled eggs, diced tomatos and grapes and live mealworms. The idea is to keep them going until you can figure out what is wrong.

I doubt by now if it is simple stress from being relocated, after two weeks. Based on what you've said, I'd lean towards Coccidiosis (a protozoa-caused illness). If that's the case, you need to move quickly to get some medication into them. You can get Sulmet (a coccistat) or a comparable medication at most feed stores over the counter, you mix it with their drinking water. If you treat your flock, treat them all, not just the sick ones. Used to be that one of the symptoms of Coccidiosis was bloody poop, but it isn't always the case anymore. If you Google it you'll learn more and see if it fits.

But really I'd like it if you can give us as much info as you can, it would help. You can click on this link to read my chicken info site, which also might help.

http://home.earthlink.net/~velvetsparrow/VSChick.htm

Good luck! :)

Velvet ~:>

thank you velvet! i'll check the site!
no... poop looks fine... their eyes look fine... no weight loss.. and the hen looks better tonight... the rooster is hanging tough... got himself into the shed tonight.... this is the weirdest thing i've ever seen... or heard of! i don't have any toxins sitting around either... no poisons or antifreeze or sprays...
i'll check your site... and i thank you so much!
in peace from iowa,
lj