- Jun 20, 2009
- 17
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Hi. I posted this in the emergency section but just saw this meat section. We recently purchased 26 meat birds (Cornish X Rock) from a reputable mail order hatchery. The chicks are now 4 weeks old and only 20 are left. After 3 died, we took one to UC Davis for a necropsy -- first finding was severe Ascites Syndrome, we're still waiting for final test results.
Are there any steps we can take at this point to reverse this syndrome assuming they all have it and still be able to eat these birds? They're only 4 weeks old. I've read that the meat is/can be tainted (?). We had to kill one this morning and another one isn't looking good.
We're feeding broiler chick feed and the vitamins recommended in the water. Also putting a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in the 5-gallon water container which we change every day. Feed is now 12 hours on/12 hours off.
They're kept in an outdoor chicken wire enclosure underneath some trees (approx 20'x20") the side toward the breeze is 1/2 covered in a heavy plastic to reduce draft and two other sides are solid. The top and back are just chicken wire and there are two heat lights. We're in northern CA so temps are 55-60 at night and 65-75 during the day.
Any help is appreciated.
Thank you,
LCS
Are there any steps we can take at this point to reverse this syndrome assuming they all have it and still be able to eat these birds? They're only 4 weeks old. I've read that the meat is/can be tainted (?). We had to kill one this morning and another one isn't looking good.
We're feeding broiler chick feed and the vitamins recommended in the water. Also putting a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in the 5-gallon water container which we change every day. Feed is now 12 hours on/12 hours off.
They're kept in an outdoor chicken wire enclosure underneath some trees (approx 20'x20") the side toward the breeze is 1/2 covered in a heavy plastic to reduce draft and two other sides are solid. The top and back are just chicken wire and there are two heat lights. We're in northern CA so temps are 55-60 at night and 65-75 during the day.
Any help is appreciated.
Thank you,
LCS
