6 week old chicks showing signs of illness in a few

[rebrascora]

Did you answer the question about what type of bulb you were/are using in the heat lamp? Teflon coated bulbs are deadly toxic to birds and can certainly cause deaths like this.

 

[DeRock89]

Did you answer the question about what type of bulb you were/are using in the heat lamp? Teflon coated bulbs are deadly toxic to birds and can certainly cause deaths like this.

I’ll see if I can find the box. It was a heat bulb I bought at tractor supply in the chicken section.. surely they wouldn’t sell that would they?

Also, if it’s too hot, shouldn’t they self regulate and move away from the hotness of they are hot? I thought that’s what they do from what I’ve read? It was part of my design consideration when building the pen is enabling them plenty of space to regulate their temp. I would also think they are old enough to handle a larger variance In temp considering they are basically fully feathered...

 

[DeRock89]

Do you think you could send some photos of the poo?

This is the best picture I have of the poo while I’m at work, you can see it by the white one. That poo was made by the black spotted one in the corner within a few hours of dying https://i.imgur.com/8qfwr8l.jpg

 

[DeRock89]

What’s really sad too is I contacted several vets and they said they do not care for chickens... I wish I could have them autopsied. I’m so upset and determined to solve this I would pay to have them see a vet or pay to have them autopsied.

 

[bobbi-j]

I think a necropsy would be a good idea. I think @ChickenCanoe has a list of places by state that does them. (If I’m wrong, sorry CC) I have never sent one in, but would definitely consider it if I had losses like yours.

 

[DeRock89]

I think a necropsy would be a good idea. I think @ChickenCanoe has a list of places by state that does them. (If I’m wrong, sorry CC) I have never sent one in, but would definitely consider it if I had losses like yours.

I’ve hit several dead ends with that... I called the two places for Georgia and they told me that the process has to be initiated by a veterinarian but every vet I’ve called just dismisses me with “we don’t care for chickens” with a condescending tone like they think I’m weird for asking them to deal with chickens....

 

[christwodog]

Regarding the search for a chicken vet, contact an equine vet in your area - he/she may know of someone who sees other farm animals, including fowl. That's how I found my chicken vet. You mentioned the presence of a rat? I had 2 hens get critically ill once, and when the vet did a fecal test, there was a bacteria/toxin present that came from raccoon poop. So if your chickens happened to eat a bug that was on poop, they may have gotten something from that. The only other thing aside from making sure that's not a teflon coated bulb, what type of shavings are those? I think cedar is toxic, I'm not sure if any other types are, but there are alot of types available now. Could they be eating shavings? Good luck, this is puzzling for sure.

 

[Northern.Ontario]

Marek's disease or coccidiosis could be the culprits. Find a large animal vet and ask them if they can test the poop for presence of coccdia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marek's_disease

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I’ve hit several dead ends with that... I called the two places for Georgia and they told me that the process has to be initiated by a veterinarian but every vet I’ve called just dismisses me with “we don’t care for chickens” with a condescending tone like they think I’m weird for asking them to deal with chickens....

I haven't dealt with any state diagnostic labs that require a veterinarian as a middle man.
That just costs more money.
Here are 3 labs in your state.

Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
The University of Georgia
501 D.W. Brooks Drive
Athens, Georgia 30602-5023
Phone: 706-542-5568

Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network
3235 Abit Massey Way
Gainesville, Georgia 30507-7745
Phone: 770-766-6810

University of Georgia Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
43 Brighton Road
Tifton, Georgia 31793-3000
Phone: 229-386-3340

Call and ask the cost and how they want the bird/s sent. They may send you a Fed Ex label for shipping.

 

[DeRock89]

I haven't dealt with any state diagnostic labs that require a veterinarian as a middle man.
That just costs more money.
Here are 3 labs in your state.

Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
The University of Georgia
501 D.W. Brooks Drive
Athens, Georgia 30602-5023
Phone: 706-542-5568

Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network
3235 Abit Massey Way
Gainesville, Georgia 30507-7745
Phone: 770-766-6810

University of Georgia Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
43 Brighton Road
Tifton, Georgia 31793-3000
Phone: 229-386-3340

Call and ask the cost and how they want the bird/s sent. They may send you a Fed Ex label for shipping.

I was able to get it from GA poultry lab. I had to drive 3 hours away and drop them off. Results where back in 5 hours. Necropsy results were that's it's Coccidiosis and the doctor said there was a High count of some other protozoic parasite that he said in 30 years he's never seen that may be a factor and will have to send to a pathologist.... I need to see if I can go find Oxytetracycline and Amprolium and treat them soon as possible and disinfect everything... all I’m finding though is for large livestock like cows... and I have no idea what to disinfect everything with that won’t be harmful...