Anyone else ever got a batch of cancerous chickens before?

[bheila]

I wasn't sure where to post this....

So here's the deal, I ordered 15 white leghorns last November from Welp hatchery along with 25 various other chicks. Within the last 3 weeks 4 of my white leghorns have ended up with some sort of tumor/cancer on them. The first hen had a tumor growing out of the top of her head and it started to make her eye pop out so I had to cull her. She couldn't stand or walk anymore. The other 3 leghorns all have tumors in their legs and feet

I had to cull another one today because she couldn't walk any longer. I was starting to think that maybe there was something making them sick in their water(not really) but that can't be because only the white leghorns are the ones with the tumors

Has anyone else experienced anything else like this?

 

[redhen]

Strange! Guess i wont be buying from Welp..

 

[Mahonri]

You may want to check them for Mareks.

 

[bheila]

Quote:
Why would only my white leghorns be getting Mareks? That's what's so puzzling

I bought from Welp because so many other people had good experiences with them. Their customer service was great when 8 chicks died within the first 48 hours

I'll be ordering from Ideal, ALWAYS! Not one chick died or developed any cancer

 

[saddina]

You may want to call the dept of Ag. up there and let them know you seem to have an outbreak of tumors. There could be something going on in the area.

 

[bheila]

Quote:
My husband works for the Depart of Agr

 

[saddina]

Good, I'm pretty sure they'd be willing to look over one and give a diagnosis.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Could you post photos of this? Sounds like a reaction of some sort.

 

[pips&peeps]

Sounds like marek's or lymphoid leukosis. The latter is hereditary.

 

[bheila]

I don't have a way to get a picture, my 11yr old broke my camera.
I lanced the last 2 hens feet, green clear fluid came out. It doesn't have a bad odor to it. I squeezed on the tumor and some small chunks that looked like cottage cheese came out but that was it. The tumors just eventually get so big and sore that they can't walk anymore.

I emailed the Avian Health lady from WSU, we'll see what she has to say. At least if I need to send some birds in to be examined they're only 30 minutes away.