California - Northern

[CALI CHICK]

Meg, losing a chick here or there is pretty common. Some of them are just weak and fail to thrive, without having any weird illnesses.
Speaking of, I seem to have turned a corner. I culled all of the birds actively sick, which was difficult. I haven't had any new cases for 24 hours now. I took two dead birds in to the Poultry Center run by UC Davis in Turlock. There I learned that it's best not to freeze the specimens, if anyone else might need to take some in. Preliminary results indicate that the birds had Infectious Laryngotraecheitis (sp?) but the vet had yet to do the histology. He said that the birds which have recovered are carriers, but the ones that never got it would be fine. So if that's the final diagnosis, I'll cull my two main flock roosters who recovered, but my little show birds who are all the way across the property and have had a sniffle should be fine. I'll wait until the vet confirms that though.

Cowgirl, I'm so sorry for you and your sick chickens. That's great that you will find out what the chickens had from UCD. I hope the rest of your birds stay healthy.

Are you pretty certain that you transferred it to them on your shoes after the fair? That makes me want to be extra cautious with my little backyard flock. As of now we have "chicken shoes" that everyone wears when they go into our backyard and remove before stepping back into the house. They are just old sandals that we can slip on/off easily. But it also makes me question whether or not I want to place my Silkies in the fair or poultry shows (because of biosecurity/or lack thereof). How frustrating to breed, hatch and raise our chickens to a certain standard or goal and then have them catch something. Wow-that's really disturbing. Do you plan to continue showing and what precautions will you take in the future?

 

[CowgirlJules]

I'm really not sure how I brought it in. The first signs showed up ten days after the fair, but those particular birds are healthy and nowhere near the sick flock. I've brought in a few new birds this year, and obviously not quarantined as well as I should have.

As far as continuing to show or not, that's still up in the air. A lot will depend on what the vet's final diagnosis is, but then it's up to me. I don't think it's terribly ethical to continue to show if I have an affected flock, but from what I'm reading, half of all flocks in the country have this. My options are then to either cull everything and start over, which really bites now that I've got some that are winning, or just quit showing and keep my flock closed. I don't know just yet what I'm going to do, but either way, all my hard work is down the drain.

 

[mendocinosunris]

That's tentatively good news -
Does this disease stay in the ground for any length of time?
Good luck!

Meg, losing a chick here or there is pretty common. Some of them are just weak and fail to thrive, without having any weird illnesses.
Speaking of, I seem to have turned a corner. I culled all of the birds actively sick, which was difficult. I haven't had any new cases for 24 hours now. I took two dead birds in to the Poultry Center run by UC Davis in Turlock. There I learned that it's best not to freeze the specimens, if anyone else might need to take some in. Preliminary results indicate that the birds had Infectious Laryngotraecheitis (sp?) but the vet had yet to do the histology. He said that the birds which have recovered are carriers, but the ones that never got it would be fine. So if that's the final diagnosis, I'll cull my two main flock roosters who recovered, but my little show birds who are all the way across the property and have had a sniffle should be fine. I'll wait until the vet confirms that though.

 

[Papa Brooder]

Hi Jeff,

Ron
Quote: Hey Ron,
So did the deed today. Massive cleaning out of the coop. litter disposed of, coop sprayed, food grade DE over floor, new litter, chickens dust bathed and back in the coop after being penned up all day in the yard. Now, wait two weeks and repeat, eh? the strips should come this week, just gotta figure out how to get them somewhere that the kids won't run into them all the time...

Jeff

 

[ronott1]

Quote: Hey Ron,
So did the deed today. Massive cleaning out of the coop. litter disposed of, coop sprayed, food grade DE over floor, new litter, chickens dust bathed and back in the coop after being penned up all day in the yard. Now, wait two weeks and repeat, eh? the strips should come this week, just gotta figure out how to get them somewhere that the kids won't run into them all the time...

Jeff
Good Job Jeff!

Yes, you need to re treat in two weeks

The chickens will be happy to be rid of the mites!

Ron

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

My hen appears to have drained her crop, and is all good. Maybe the Poly-vi-sol in the water helped? Still have to figure that out.

Day 4 of incubation....

 

[Meg2000000]

Hi All! Do you guys have any suggestions for a poultry catalog that sells medicine, grooming supplies, treats, etc?

 

[ronott1]

Hi All! Do you guys have any suggestions for a poultry catalog that sells medicine, grooming supplies, treats, etc?

I use Cutler Supply and Ozbo. Ozbo has a low flat rate shipping charge, but it can take a while to get stuff from them. Shipping can be high with Cutler.

Ron

 

[Disco Hen]

I have to broodies!

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

I have to broodies!

Yay!