2 chickens, 16 weeks old, scabs on head near cone and weak legs

[Linda Eubanks]

I have many different chickens and all appear to be healthy. However, I have 2 chickens that are ill. they started a few weeks ago with what looked like molting, then scabby. now they are week legged. I am thinking I need to take them down. They still eat and drink, but have no strength. I am puzzled. They are free range broilers of which I had 25. All but these 2 have done very well.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're happy you've joined us So sorry about the circumstances Can you post a picture for us to see?

 

[Linda Eubanks]

I am at work today. I can post tonight. Sorry.

 

[Linda Eubanks]

Here are 3 pictures of the 2 birds. You can see one is sicker then the 2nd bird. I have made a vet appointment for tomorrow. It is just sad to see them like this. First time in six years of raising chickens to have one sick. Feeling bad. Curious of your thoughts.

 

[duluthralphie]

Mareks in my guess. Open the legs (autopsy) there will be granular or rough muscles the nerve will hardly be found...Also you could have white tumors in the gut area and the eye lids should or could have red bloodshot spots on the inside of the lids..


Are the birds 14 weeks or so? Just on the verge of puberty?


Mareks is everywhere so do not think you did anything wrong.

 

[Linda Eubanks]

I thought I would give an update. You were all so helpful. I took our two sick birds to the vet. They both did die . However, we did send them off to the university to see what was going on and to rule out Mareks. As it turns out the illness was unrelated in the two birds. One had a tumor on her kidney. The other had a bacterial infection. I sterilized the coops for a couple of weeks and have seen no reoccurrence in other birds. . Thank you again for all your input.

 

[duluthralphie]

Did they say what caused the tumor?


I am starting to think of chickens as goldfish with wings and no scales that just like to die..

 

[Linda Eubanks]

No they did not. They did not seem concerned. I was so relieved it was not Meraks I did not think to ask.