California - Northern

[ronott1]

HI Meg2000000

So Sorry to hear about another dead one. We can give you support and suggestions, but we can't really know what is going on with the chicks.

The chicks came from a local Breeder: Did you contact the breeder to see if his are dying too?
The chicks die after looking weak and they pant? or just lay down and die? This sounds like organ failure. The feed you gave them was medicated chick starter?
The feed had lumps in it and weevils? I have read about chickens dying after eating weevil infested feed. The webs from the weevils get caught up in the crop.

The simplest answer is usually correct. In this case, the feed was at least old and had weevils. It may have also had a fungus in it, which also could have been what the lumps were. Five years or so ago, cat and dog food was contaminated from China. The food caused kidney failure and lots of cats and dogs died.

If you don't send the chic in for a Necropsy you won't know what is causing them to die. It is free and you can mail it to them. I would also send a sample of the feed if you still have some. This would also help in figuring out how to treat the 2 that are still alive.

I will make a deal with you. If you send a dead chick in for a necropsy, I will give you two of my pullets (as soon as your place has been proven safe). I have FBC Marans and EO Marraduna Basque hens. Both of these breeds are over 6 weeks old and ready to go outside. Take your pick.

Ron

Lost another one today. That makes 3 dead 2 1/2 week old chicks with 2 remaining. I'm rooting for the remaining ones though! I washed the feeder and waterer in alcohol and then let it sit in hot water and soap before putting back in the brooder. I also threw out my handmade brooder that they were all in and put them in a Rubbermaid bin. I'm heating part of the brooder to around 85 and giving them plenty of space to stay 70-80 degrees in other places. I'm doing my best to stop whatever is killing these guys. I said in an earlier post (after the second chick died) that of another died I would take it to the UC Davis lab to see what is going on but I've decided not to do that. If it's a sickness then the others probably have it and will be gone in a few days. It's heartbreaking but at this point I have to let nature do its thing.

Question that I can't seem to find the answer to: What are my chicks actual body temperatures supposed to be at?? I know what the brooder should be kept at but is that the same temp the chicks bodies should be?

 

[Meg2000000]

HI Meg2000000

So Sorry to hear about another dead one. We can give you support and suggestions, but we can't really know what is going on with the chicks. 

The chicks came from a local Breeder: Did you contact the breeder to see if his are dying too?
The chicks die after looking weak and they pant? or just lay down and die? This sounds like organ failure. The feed you gave them was medicated chick starter? 
The feed had lumps in it and weevils? I have read about chickens dying after eating weevil infested feed. The webs from the weevils get caught up in the crop.

The simplest answer is usually correct. In this case, the feed was at least old and had weevils. It may have also had a fungus in it, which also could have been what the lumps were. Five years or so ago, cat and dog food was contaminated from China. The food caused kidney failure and lots of cats and dogs died.

If you don't send the chic in for a Necropsy you won't know what is causing them to die. It is free and you can mail it to them. I would also send a sample of the feed if you still have some. This would also help in figuring out how to treat the 2 that are still alive.

I will make a deal with you. If you send a dead chick in for a necropsy, I will give you two of my pullets (as soon as your place has been proven safe). I have FBC Marans and EO Marraduna Basque hens. Both of these breeds are over 6 weeks old and ready to go outside. Take your pick.

Ron

Hey Ron,

I called the guy who I bought the chicks from and he is taking measures to prevent the ones he has from getting sick (yogurt, vinegar in water and electrolytes in another waterer) but none of his same age chicks have died. I am doing the same thing with my remaining chicks. The chicks look and act completely normal and happy until about 3 hours before they pass and then they just lay down and die. I've checked the food and there are no chunks in it. I've also called the feed store to see if anyone else has had issues with the food and they haven't. 

I am sending the one that passed last night to UC Davis today. How long do you think it'll take to get the results? You have no idea how amazing it is that you have offered the two Basque's. My boyfriend was born and raised in Madrid, Spain and we would love to support this amazing Spanish breed! Once we get the results I'll let you know.

Once again thank you for your expertise.. And for caring!!

- Megan

 

[ronott1]

Quote:

Thank you for sending in the chick!

When I dropped mine off, I had a preliminary report the next day. The final report came three days later I think.

Let me know when you are ready for the Baaque Chicks. They are amazing. I can meet you in Dixon or Vacaville if you want.

Ron

 

[Meg2000000]

Thank you for sending in the chick!

When I dropped mine off, I had a preliminary report the next day. The final report came three days later I think.

Let me know when you are ready for the Baaque Chicks. They are amazing. I can meet you in Dixon or Vacaville if you want.

Ron

I just sent the little guy with an ice pack in to UC Davis. I used the Postal Service's overnight so the package should get there tomorrow before noon. I can not wait to see why this is happening! I can meet you in Vacaville no problem (hopefully next week or the following depending on when I get the report.) I'd love to thank you in person for all of your help!. This thread wouldn't be the same without you!

- Megan

 

[CowgirlJules]

Well, I got my final results from UC Davis myself today, and it is Infectious Laryngotracheitis. I've begun culling almost my entire flock; I'm keeping eight bantams that live in separate housing and aren't infected, although I"ve ordered the vaccine for them. And then begins an enormous disinfection effort, and at least the summer's worth of letting the yard lay fallow except for my ducks.

I sure hope some of you guys have hatching eggs available in the spring. I'd like to raise the same breeds that I had, Silver Laced and Blue Laced Red Wyandottes, Ameraucanas, and Blue Andalusians.

This breaks my heart.

http://www.cowgirljules.com/2012/05/24/biosecurity/

 

[ronott1]

I am so sorry you have to go through this. Something similar happened to a BYC member that breeds Blue Asutralorps. He was on year 5 of his breeding project.

On Saturday I will be on day 14 of incubating Golden Laced Wyendottes. I set 18 eggs. on day seven, I saw development so should have some hatch. Let me know if you want them.

Ron

Well, I got my final results from UC Davis myself today, and it is Infectious Laryngotracheitis. I've begun culling almost my entire flock; I'm keeping eight bantams that live in separate housing and aren't infected, although I"ve ordered the vaccine for them. And then begins an enormous disinfection effort, and at least the summer's worth of letting the yard lay fallow except for my ducks.

I sure hope some of you guys have hatching eggs available in the spring. I'd like to raise the same breeds that I had, Silver Laced and Blue Laced Red Wyandottes, Ameraucanas, and Blue Andalusians.

This breaks my heart.

http://www.cowgirljules.com/2012/05/24/biosecurity/

 

[CowgirlJules]

Oh, thank you very much, but I'm going to let the yard idle for at least six months, to be sure the virus is dead.

Not sure what I'm going to do with the straw bedding. I run a fairly hot compost pile and I hate to lose all of that organic matter, but it might be safer to just burn it. Unfortunately, the only safe place to burn on our property is pretty close to the eight birds I'm keeping, and I don't want to expose them.

 

[MrsMoonCat]

I am so sorry you are having to go through this Jules. I am glad your little guys are at least safe from it. Just let me know when you need eggs.

 

[CowgirlJules]

I do hope I can get some from you Jules, maybe in the spring?

 

[MrsMoonCat]

Whenever you are ready my friend, they're yours. I may have some adults for you by then if you want them as well.