4 month old chickens dying.

[pulp2paper]

Last 3 days I have lost a chicken. Today I have 3 that are walking drunk legged and none of them have food in the craw. But all are drinking. Lost 3 2 weeks ago and started sumlet for 8 days and they all seemed healthy til 3 days ago. Dead bird each day. I wormed them about 8 weeks ago. No new chickens to flock. No mites that I can see. Well veltilated coop and yard.

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm sorry to hear that.

If it isn't worms, coccidia, or mite, then it is probably something viral. Check to make sure they have plenty of fresh water, that their food isn't moldy, and that their coop is clean. Make sure they are warm enough (but not hot) and offer electrolytes. Are they acting like they are developing paralysis at all?

 

[pulp2paper]

Yes. They act like they have paralysis in the neck or legs.

 

[GitaBooks]

Then it could be botulisim, marek's, or a number of other diseases. I hope this helps: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

 

[StashWithChicks]

I'm having a similar issue with my poor 4 month old Silky hen. A month ago I noticed her limping from one leg, and a few days later I noticed she was sort of crawling around, not using her legs, but walking on her knees. Both feet were curled together, so I figured it could be a vitamin deficiency. I started giving her several doses of B2/B12 (Riboflavin) drops per day, in which I noticed the toes uncurl and she started using her legs a bit better again, however with not a lot of balance...

Since its been a few weeks without much improvement, I also started her on a chicken mix of vitamins and electrolytes, and continued her on the B drops, but still no improvement. This week I've had to give her two baths since she's been covered in her own poop sad.png I've been keeping her separated from the others for the most part, but when she goes to free range, she crawls into the bushes to stay by herself. Sometimes the rooster tries to jump on her head!

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to fix her? I don't think it's mereks, since the other chicks aren't sick and she doesn't have any other symptoms. Eating, drinking, and pooping very normal. Help me help her!

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm having a similar issue with my poor 4 month old Silky hen. A month ago I noticed her limping from one leg, and a few days later I noticed she was sort of crawling around, not using her legs, but walking on her knees. Both feet were curled together, so I figured it could be a vitamin deficiency. I started giving her several doses of B2/B12 (Riboflavin) drops per day, in which I noticed the toes uncurl and she started using her legs a bit better again, however with not a lot of balance...

Since its been a few weeks without much improvement, I also started her on a chicken mix of vitamins and electrolytes, and continued her on the B drops, but still no improvement. This week I've had to give her two baths since she's been covered in her own poop sad.png I've been keeping her separated from the others for the most part, but when she goes to free range, she crawls into the bushes to stay by herself. Sometimes the rooster tries to jump on her head!

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to fix her? I don't think it's mereks, since the other chicks aren't sick and she doesn't have any other symptoms. Eating, drinking, and pooping very normal. Help me help her!

Reasons behind paralysis in chickens: full article is https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq
Vitamin Deficiencies can cause weakness or paralysis, for example, and those can be reversed with careful supplementation. If you are experiencing paralysis or weakened muscle control in your chicken(s), be sure to explore this possibility: http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou..._poultry/vitamin_deficiencies_in_poultry.html Note that B vitamin deficiencies can especially look like Marek's disease, due to the interactions of B vitamins with a healthy nervous system. If you experience leg/foot problems, lameness, paralysis, etc... with toe-curing especially, be sure to investigate B2 deficiency: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/217/vitamin-b2-deficiency The body's need and ability to use vitamins to maintain general and immune health is complex, and can stem from simple problems such as old feed that has lost nutritional value over time (several vitamin complexes break down quickly with age!), to incomplete feed, to a deficiency in the bird's mother (which is passed onto the chick through the egg), to complex genetics that interfere with the uptake of vitamins. The good news is that vitamin deficiencies are sometimes correctable, and may save a bird's life. _____(I might add, if it does get very bad sometimes they don't heal all the way, or so I have heard).
Heavy Metal Toxicity in chickens (and other fowl, such as ducks) can look very similar to Marek's paralysis. Lead toxicity seems to be the most common for birds like chickens, that unlike other pet birds such as parrots, generally do not chew on metal objects but may swallow small metallic objects whole. Lead shot, BBs, pellets, (etc) are often mistaken for stones and ingested to aid the bird in digestion. A single BB or piece of lead shot is enough to cause serious illness in a large fowl chicken, or even eating old lead paint flakes, or finding them in the soil is enough to harm a chicken-sized bird. Heavy metal toxicity is one of the leading medical problems that vets and wildlife rehabilitators see in ground dwelling birds such as chickens, ducks, and geese, so it can be somewhat common. Symptoms include neurological issues such as partial or total paralysis of one or both legs and sometimes the wings. With lead toxicity, lesions of the nervous system and elevated white blood counts can also mimic Marek's infection. X-rays and/or blood tests might be necessary to diagnose this problem. Treatment generally involves injections of a chelating agent such as Calsenate. Large metal objects may need to be surgically removed. This problem is very hard to diagnose without veterinary help. For more reading: http://www.birdclinic.net/avian1.htm http://www.avianweb.com/heavymetalpoisoningbirds.html
Botulism in fowl can also mimic the symptoms of Marek's, in that it often causes neurological distress and paralysis. Often birds with botulism will present leg weakness, and neck weakness or paralysis. This can come on quite suddenly or gradually, depending on how much of the Botulism toxin has been consumed by the bird. Botulism is caused by the consumption of the toxin, either from decaying material (usually decaying carcasses) or eating an abundance of invertebrates that have been infected with the Botulsim toxin (such as maggots that have been feeding on decaying material). Generally, if a bird survives more than 48 hours, it will recover, so if Botulism is suspected in birds with sudden paralysis, immediate treatment is necessary. For more reading on Botulism consult the following: http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/poultry/botulism/overview_of_botulism_in_poultry.html and http://www.avianweb.com/botulism.html
Egg Binding is obviously only a concern in hens, but an egg bound hen will often squat, lay down, act lethargic, and seem as if she can not use her legs properly. She may waddle, or fall over easily, or use her wings for balance. Severe egg binding or internal laying and other reproductive problems can also cause a hen to "walk like a penguin". If you have a hen displaying ANY of these signs, it is important to check her for egg binding right away before trying any other treatments. Egg bound hens must be assisted quickly as they can die rapidly depending on where the egg is. A cloacal exam may be necessary. Though this seems rude, it may save her life. Using a glove and a lubricated finger, feel inside and up her vent to see if you can feel an egg. More information and treatment: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/07/chicken-egg-binding-causes-symptoms.html
Hypocalcemia / Layer Fatigue is another problem that is only a concern in hens. A pullet or hen that becomes very suddenly paralyzed may be experiencing this condition. It arises from hypocalcemia (extreme lack of calcium) while her body is putting the shell on her egg during her egg laying cycle. Even hens that are being supplemented with calcium in their diets can experience this either due to lack of uptake in calcium (osteoporosis), simply not eating the supplied calcium, or from a lack of phosphorus or vitamin D3 which are both essential in the proper processing of calcium in her body. Death can occur rapidly. If this condition is suspect, offering a large and immediate dose of calcium can save the hen's life. Crushed calcium tablets (such as Tums), crushed oystershell or even limestone can be fed directly. This condition is more often seen in production breeds such as red sex-links, ISA browns, etc. More reading on this and long term care: http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...teoporosis_or_cage_layer_fatigue_poultry.html

Avian Encephalomyelitis is a disease that can cause paralysis in chickens. It can also affect turkeys, quail, pheasants and pigeons. Like Marek's, this disease can show up as birds losing coordination, leg paralysis and/or weakness, including sitting on the hocks, neck spasms, and tremors. This disease is mostly observed in chicks, under the age of three weeks. As chicks less than three weeks can not develop Marek's paralysis, be sure to investigate the possibility of Avian Encephalomyelitis if you experience these symptoms in young chicks. Read more: http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...itis/overview_of_avian_encephalomyelitis.html

Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) is another disease of poultry that might look like Marek's. This bacterial disease affects chickens and turkeys, but may also infect other commonly kept fowl. It is a relatively common disease, and easily transmitted. Like Marek's, symptoms include lameness/paralysis of the legs and reluctance to stand and walk, as well as blue/purple comb and or wattles due to respiratory distress. The hock (ankle) and wing joints may become swollen. Birds may also experience rales (roughness of breath, rattling, wheezing) and may have some respiratory discharge. http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...nfection_in_poultry_infectious_synovitis.html
Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is similar to MS, in that it is a mycoplasma infection, is very common in chickens, and is easily spread. It can cause paralysis and lameness in birds, similar to Marek's, but is generally accompanied by respiratory distress, sometimes severe in nature. Respiratory distress can include but is not limited to: rales (rasping, wheezing), coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, bubbling or discharge around the eyes, expelling mucus, and overall difficulty breathing. http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...lasma_gallisepticum_infection_in_poultry.html

Injury to the body, and especially to the head, can cause paralysis-like symptoms that look similar to Marek's. It is important to carefully check for hidden injuries, gently palpate bones for breakage, and observe your bird carefully to determine if injury is a factor. Injuries may be internal and not visible via simple physical exam. Head injuries can cause paralysis or weakness, and loss of motor control. Breeds with vaulted skulls (such as Silkies) are especially prone to brain damage, and can sustain brain injury and swelling that can create physical disability.
Bumblefoot and other leg and foot issues can cause chickens to limp and favor their feet and legs. Carefully investigate for bumblefoot, and consider leg sprains and other injury when assessing your bird.
If you suspect ocular Marek's, be aware that there is a condition that may look like ocular Marek's, called Coloboma. Colomba is a physical irregularity in the iris, which usually looks like a black 'notch' or sometimes a 'drip'. The notch is caused by genetics or trauma to the eye. It is possibly hereditary and may show up in chicks too young to have Marek's symptoms. Not much is known about Colomba in chickens; in humans, Colomba of the iris does not cause blindness, and so if your chicken seems blind in the irregular eye, it might not be Colomba.
Erysipelas is a bacterial disease, not common but it can affect all commonly kept fowl. Turkeys seem especially susceptible. Generally few signs appear, though birds may become weakened and may have seeming leg paralysis very shortly before death. Mortality is generally less than 15% in infected birds. Birds that succumb will generally die within 24 hours. It is very sudden. This disease is serious, and while uncommon, if you suspect it, you may wish to test it because it can infect other animals and humans (through open cuts). http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/poultry/erysipelas/overview_of_erysipelas_in_poultry.html http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/1257/back-to-basics-pasteurella-and-erysipelas
Pasteurellosis is also a bacterial disease. It is also not overly common, and most often seen in turkeys, but a few of the symptoms can look like Marek's disease. Lameness in the legs, difficulty breathing, and twisted neck (wry neck) are often observed, as well as loose stools and swollen wattles. http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/1257/back-to-basics-pasteurella-and-erysipelas
Equine Encephalitis, or EE (WEE, EEE), can infect chickens as well as other commonly kept fowl, such as turkeys, ducks, pheasants, and other game birds. This disease causes paralysis, staggering, going off of feed, and spasms. Birds that survive this disease may become blind and have lasting paralysis and similar neurological signs. It does not cause the lymphomic tumors of Marek's disease. If you experience "Marek's Like" symptoms in non-chicken poultry, be sure to read about EE. Be aware that, as the name implies, this disease is contagious to horses and other mammals (including humans). It is spread mostly by mosquitoes. For this reason, it is closely monitored. You can check these maps to see if it has been reported near you, as this will help you potentially diagnose this problem. If you live in an area that is reporting active EE and you have poultry with these symptoms, it may be worth taking seriously. If you suspect EE in your poultry, consider contacting your county for testing as it may be free. "Sentinel" poultry is an important tool for charting the yearly spread of this virus. Eastern Equine Encephalitis Map (Sentinel): http://diseasemaps.usgs.gov/eee_us_sentinel.html Western Equine Encephalitis Map (Sentenel): http://diseasemaps.usgs.gov/wee_us_sentinel.html Please note that "Sentinel" maps means that sentinel species, such as chickens, have tested positive in the indicated areas. Use the tabs at the top navigation bar to select other options. More reading on EE in poultry: http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...rview_of_viral_encephalitides_in_poultry.html and http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044