2 more Polish Chickens acting odd

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks for the results, I'll go look this up too very curious as to what it is, let us know when you here more. Thanks.

 

[GottaLuvChicks]

There are 2 things that are hitting me as odd with this diagnosis....first, it seems to be mostly common in commercial broiler chickens (these were Polish Laced ladies)....second is that it says it affects most birds by 25 weeks (these guys were about a year). Guess I have t wait until more test results are back. I hate waiting and wondering...
Also, this seems to be a contagious disease, so I have to find out from him how at risk my other flock of BRs are, as they share the same coop (it's a shed divided in 2), but not the same run.
Ugh. That's all I know to say right now.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Necrotic Enteritis

Extracted From:
A Pocket Guide to
Poultry Health
and
Disease

By Paul McMullin

2004
Click Here to
Order Your Copy
Introduction

An acute or chronic enterotoxemia seen in chickens, turkeys and ducks worldwide, caused by Clostridium perfringens and characterised by a fibrino-necrotic enteritis, usually of the mid- small intestine. Mortality may be 5-50%, usually around 10%. Infection occurs by faecal-oral transmission. Spores of the causative organism are highly resistant. Predisposing factors include coccidiosis/coccidiasis, diet (high protein), in ducks possibly heavy strains, high viscosity diets (often associated with high rye and wheat inclusions in the diet), contaminated feed and/or water, other debilitating diseases.

Signs

Depression.
Ruffled feathers.
Inappetance.
Closed eyes.
Immobility.
Dark coloured diarrhoea.
Sudden death in good condition (ducks).
Post-mortem lesions

Small intestine (usually middle to distal) thickened and distended.
Intestinal mucosa with diptheritic membrane.
Intestinal contents may be dark brown with necrotic material.
Reflux of bile-stained liquid in the crop if upper small intestine affected.
Affected birds tend to be dehydrated and to undergo rapid putrefaction.
Diagnosis

A presumptive diagnosis may be made based on flock history and gross lesions Confirmation is on the observation of abundant rods in smears from affected tissues and a good response to specific medication, usually in less than 48 hours.

Treatment

Penicillins (e.g. phenoxymethyl penicillin, amoxycillin), in drinking water, or Bacitracin in feed (e.g. 100 ppm). Treatment of ducks is not very successful, neomycin and erythromycin are used in the USA. Water medication for 3-5 days and in-feed medication for 5-7 days depending on the severity.

Prevention

Penicillin in feed is preventive, high levels of most growth promotors and normal levels of ionophore anticoccidials also help. Probiotics may limit multiplication of bacteria and toxin production. In many countries local regulations or market conditions prevent the routine use of many of these options.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How is it going today with your Polish have you heard anymore from the dr.?

 

[GottaLuvChicks]

For anyone interested, here is an update thread with results so far

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=439029

 

[RhodeIslandRedFan]

Quote:
GottaLuvChicks - Can you post the name and number of the avian vet? I'm from Duncannon and would love to have this information. Thank you, and good luck with the rest of your chickens.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hey RIRF your just up the road from Enola I use to live there, small world huh

 

[RhodeIslandRedFan]

Hey Miss Lydia

I know Enola well. I see you live in NC now. I'm terribly jealous. My husband and I love NC and hope to retire there some day

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi, RIRF, I am southern by birth, my Dad is from Enola, my mother was born in Ga. But I went to East Pennsboro high school. then we moved outside of Mechanicsburg, but my Grandma lived in Enola till she passed away in 2002, I loved that little township, that whole area is really nice. I love N.C. too it's a beautiful place to live, we'll be glad to have ya'll when ever you get ready to come down.

 

[RhodeIslandRedFan]

Quote:
You wouldn't be near the Duplin winery, would you? Every year when we visit NC I stock up LOL