4wk Barred Rock Pullet - Labored Breathing, Lethargic - Pics Post #6

[cocosandy]

is she vaccinated for mareks?

 

[Reyvaughn]

I highly doubt it... But then, I don't know. There isn't anything on the sheet says about it. I do know my TSC chicks are not vaccinated. This one came form Agway.

 

[cocosandy]

well, all I can say is that limping, and then the wings going down sounds like mareks. There is no cure for it, and its a very common neuro disease where they limp, get weak and die pretty quickly. Im assuming that she is on medicated feed...?...if she is eating/drinking and you are sure that she is getting enough...I don't know what to say. If its mareks, I hope its a quick variety and not one that allows her to hang on.
I hope someone else has some ideas.
good luck!

 

[Reyvaughn]

No, I opted not to use medicated feed. She's eating/drinking regularly and her poo is normal and fequent. She does feel a little warmer than the others, but she's been under that light almost non-stop. So, I was wondering if she had a fever. There is still no discharge from the mouth, eyes or nose, no one else is sick. She isn't pale and she doesn't have any other sores on her. She's had this for 4 days now, and isn't getting worse - nor better. I am thinking she has an infection from the cuts on her feet (that I now think are from someone pecking at her toes) - but what I don't understand is why they aren't swollen. I just can't see anything else wrong with her. Or, she is just failing to thrive.

Between this one and the 7 days of cocci in my 2 Brown Leghorn pullets (did not go away after 5 days on Corid, switched back to Sulmet), I am starting to think I am doing something wrong.

 

[cocosandy]

It seems that the medicated feed is the key here. I would switch to medicated feed.
if you read through your own post, you are saying that they are having symptoms of the very things that medicated feed
prevents, and then you say you dont know what you're doing wrong....it seems to me that medicated feed is the thing that's missing.
I feed medicated feed till 12-16 weeks depending on how they are doing...and I really have had no problems with chicks.
good luck

 

[Reyvaughn]

Well, 3 out of 67 and other than the feed they were given at TSC, they' ve never touched medicated feed since I bought them. I can honestly say I think my odds are good. I'll try medicated, but I don't think it's right to medicate for something that isn't there (meanig the healthy ones).

 

[cocosandy]

You give it because it prevents the very common issues of chick-hood. Unless you need to maintain a usda organic stamp or have some really heavy need ot be 100% organic from the egg, then there is no reason not to. Its a preventative...thats all...
Good luck with them.

 

[caspernc]

cocci is everywhere in the soil. Are your chicks on the ground or have you just put them on the ground. Some will succum to cocci just because of their immune system can't fight it. My chicks started out on the ground so I started them on medicated and electrolits due to travel stress. Any stress in my eyes gets some electrolites just like people. (also there MUST be something in the water, I just had to put down a 40 year old horse and one dog is 14, the other is 15 + deaf + blind, well catoracts, so she can see to the side. She finds you with her nose. She eats, drinks and wags her little stub.
I ordered 30 chicks understanding that some would die in shipping and ect.... WELL not at this farm. Unless something comes out of the wood work I have 31, 10 week chicks that are CRAZY. (Ideal through in one extra) Now I have some for sale! My hubby said something scared them and all 31 went through the pop door in 2 seconds!
They are vaccinated for Mereks.
What about lice and or mites. Also can be made worse from stress of maybe a little cocci? Leg mites? Vasseline on the legs and Seven dust the coop. Check around the vent and under the wings. Can make them animic and weak. I use DE earth and 7 in the coop and where they dust bath.
And then it maybe just be failure to thrive.
Bugs and a little cocci would be my bet though. Bugs can come from wild birds, another thing that is everywhere.

 

[Reyvaughn]

The BR has never been outside at all. The BLHs have been out about 8x now. The symptoms didn't show up until after the 5th time out. The worst one has had it for the whole 8 days now. The other one's symptoms started mildly 6 days ago but she seemed more withdrawn and droopy today. Both BLHs have been out foraging even after the symptoms started. There are not lice or mites. It was the first thing I checked for. Plus, with 29 chicks in the coop and 17 in one brooder and 21 in the other.... I am sure by now there would have been more than the 2 BLHs with it. The BR has never been exposed to the outside... Mite and lice on her, the chances are? And one out of 37 she's been in contact with? I did check though. I didn't see anything.

 

[caspernc]

Are you willing to find an avian vet? If my whole flock could be involved I might be willing. This is the one time I will save one for the greater good. Got that backwards, right?