2 week old chicks are unable to stand

[maineiac]

Is anyone experiencing recovery of any of these sick chicks? I hate to invest the time and resources into them if the end is certain. None of mine are getting better, and none are dying (save one), yet they don't seem to be getting any worse either. Contacting the hatchery today to see what course of action they recommend.

 

[maineiac]

I spoke with MMH this am, and they gave me this much info:

Birds hatched the week of March 1st were affected.
They don't know what the problem is.
Treat whole flock with Terramycin for 5-7 days.
Isolate birds with symptoms.
Take a body count when I determine this situation has run its course and advise them if I want a refund or replacement.
They were extremely courteous and accountable for the problem.
No other info is available.

 

[jmromani]

Our birds arrived on 3/3 so that explains alot. Thank you for the information. I'm leaving now to go get Terramycin. I know others in our 4-H club have tried it, with little result, but it's worth a try.

 

[Robdoc]

Thanks for this information. I came to this site last night because our chickens (arrived from same hatchery on March 3, vaccinated) were sick with exactly the same problem so many others have described here. I will call the hatchery and talk to them also, so they know how widespread the problem is. Though this is very disheartening, it's absolutely wonderful to be know it's not something we screwed up, and to be able to draw from others' experiences. Thanks everyone.

 

[TheFunnyFarm]

Quote:
Mine seem to be eating and drink alittle better on their own today ,still unable to stand properly,but at least it's something.

 

[maineiac]

I just got off the phone with the Maine Dept. of Ag Vet, and we arranged to have my sick birds tested tomorrow (at no charge). I am driving the live birds to the U of Me. in Orono to meet with a retired avian vet that specializes in this area. Apparently there is still some avian bird flu money available to cover this. Will update with results ASAP.
If anyone in Maine needs the info please PM me.

 

[therealsilkiechick]

if u are taking birds to be tested they need to be alive, with symptoms or to the lab chilled not frozen within 72 hours. they will need both alive and dead birds. if they go for testing they will be destroyed to be anilized. u need tests from at least 5 different states or more(to show it is a prob and compair results and to report it to the usda. one report from one state is enough but that will show this is a pattern.

in pa they will test for free if u have less than 300 birds in ur entire flock for disease prevention and control. i live 2 hour round trip to the closest dept of ag lab if anyone in pa has this prob pm me and i can help. if u can get ur birds to me fast enough and help with a little gas money i will personally take them to the lab and have tested for u. they will call me with any and all new info as well as fax me first results within 2 days. they will call for every report after includeing final report which takes about 3-4 weeks to get finals in and will mail me all paper work for everything. if in pa i can help but i'm only liseanced by pa dept of ag i cannot help outside of the state other than to help u get to the right people for help with testing. in pa since i'm a tech i can get results faster than just a breeder they will immediately call me anytime on my cell during tests even.

i assure u this is not normal there is a poblem somewhere, i do not think it is the buyers faults and i do not believe it has anything to do with vaccines or all would have it. i also do not believe the weather is the cause of this it is happening all over the country and this is not the only forum i have seen these probs on there is others.

if anyone needs help pm me i'll do anything i can to help. someone needs to help these people and their birds more are dieing or getting sick by the day. i have gotten chicks from the same company a few years ago through my feedstore and have not had a prob with them and had awesome birds. i don't have anything against them but i do find it ignorant they are not on this prob immediately look at all the little lives being lost it is just not right. i also find it funny the woman saying she has been there for 20 years and they only ship healthy birds, i do not believe that. there is thousands apon thousands of birds through hatcheries year round and it is possible some were not noticed. they r breed for quanity and supply and demand not quality like private breeder work so hard for, then they wonder why there is issues...

i'm not blaiming anyone here or pointing fingers at anyone it's the case with any hatchery it is always a risk with diease and contamination because there is so much stock involved and cause they are piled with orders so bad rushing to get them out for the demand. mabe someone wasn't doing their job right inspecting the birds or didn't catch something was wrong, cross contaminated something who knows. i can see saying to ur knowledge nothing like that has happened before that u know since u have worked there but to say it is impossible to happen is a lie we r human and man does make mistakes anything could happen as an accident or not been noticed till too late. i find it ignorant they r not responding except the cheap way to get out of it...

 

[therealsilkiechick]

i do not agree with giveing them antibiotics for an illness unknown either. anytime u make a call log the info date, time, what was said and who u talked to and what dept they work in for any company, vet, dept of ag ect. if the hatchery told u to use antibiotics and they die or r still sick then they are responsible for that outcome and to compansait for that loss cause u followed the hatcheries instuctions and they died as a result of it.

 

[thebiggerkin]

I am having the same problems. I posted a concern on this site last week and then again last night. Not only are the new chicks effected, but for some reason my laying flock has had two issues in the past week. I did not have a death before last week and I had those hens for almost a year.

What is MM doing for you? I called them yesterday and they told me to give the chicks terramycin. They asked me to call them back in a week.

Any thoughts?

 

[huskyzzz]

I too have chicks from MM and they are dropping like flies. All exhibiting the same symptoms as listed. We have Araucana's. 25 ordered, 9 left. 2 starting the wobbly legs, weakness and gasping now. I am hand feeding but does nothing. I am going to treat for Cocci tomorrow. Only thing I can see even similar to what I am going through and what others have posted.

Mine are 2 weeks old now. Helpless and lost. Has anyone heard anything yet? I wasn't given any information when I called MM.