- Feb 8, 2011
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I have a flock of 16 chickens. Three weeks ago in the morning, we found one dead outside the coop (they hadn't been counted that night). Last week in the morning, we found one dead inside the coop. And tonight, my son brought one to me and said that he found her outside the coop without the strength to climb up the ramp to go inside. These are all adult birds at least 2 years old.
I've read everything I can about Marek's and Botulism and I'm not sure how to figure out what to do next. Tonight the hen was holding her head up and when my son put his hands under her feet she was able to stand. But I don't know if it's just because this has just started - I believe she was roaming around like normal this afternoon.
It's been a wet summer here, so it's possible that botulism is the cause. All the chickens have been free ranging over our 3/4 acre yard for the past couple month, so plenty of fresh air and scratching. I have a small compost pile (3X3 and probably 6" deep) that they have access to that is probably wetter than it should be. And it's also possible that the water inside their coop has not been as fresh as it should be (changed every couple of days).
I'll also add that I haven't noticed any changes in stool - it's a fairly large coop and they are free ranging all day, so not easy to track changes.
I'd welcome any advice as to what to do next. I'm also wondering if eggs are safe to eat since we don't know what it is?
Thanks in advance.
Edited to add: there have been no signs of trauma. There was no predator involved.
I've read everything I can about Marek's and Botulism and I'm not sure how to figure out what to do next. Tonight the hen was holding her head up and when my son put his hands under her feet she was able to stand. But I don't know if it's just because this has just started - I believe she was roaming around like normal this afternoon.
It's been a wet summer here, so it's possible that botulism is the cause. All the chickens have been free ranging over our 3/4 acre yard for the past couple month, so plenty of fresh air and scratching. I have a small compost pile (3X3 and probably 6" deep) that they have access to that is probably wetter than it should be. And it's also possible that the water inside their coop has not been as fresh as it should be (changed every couple of days).
I'll also add that I haven't noticed any changes in stool - it's a fairly large coop and they are free ranging all day, so not easy to track changes.
I'd welcome any advice as to what to do next. I'm also wondering if eggs are safe to eat since we don't know what it is?
Thanks in advance.
Edited to add: there have been no signs of trauma. There was no predator involved.
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