blondie55555
Songster
- Feb 14, 2023
- 82
- 73
- 102
This will be a long post, but I need your opinions/recommendations. I got my first chickens (4-5 mo old) in March 2023 from a friend with chickens. I later let Broodies hatch their eggs. I also purchased/received 1day old chicks (non-vaccinated) at the same time the chicks hatched. Hatched chicks were left with mamas until weened (is that right word?) around 3-3 1/2 weeks old, then I put mamas back in with their flock in the new run/coop-again with their new (used) wood coop. I brought the purchased chicks out of garage (same age) and integrated them with hatched chicks. Hatched and purchased chicks had this coop/run to themselves, using the same coop (plastic like) mamas used.
Around 3 months, the chicks started dying for no apparent reason, other than diarrhea. No signs of respiratory, no (apparent) signs of Marek’s disease. Thanks to this list, I could possibly attribute it to using sugar sand with not enough ventilation in the coop (has been modified). I also had purchased a built cage for the chicks as well as the mamas. Chicks cage might have been used a couple times, but appeared new. Mama’s was used. They could possibly have been infected? The friends that also got some of the chicks in the shipment tell me theirs are well so I don’t think it lies with them? The only signs of illness were diarrhea, droopy tails, not eating-then death a few days later, with the exception of one that had lesions in mouth (didn't smell) that I attributed to pox. All chickens were wormed 2x, Corid, copper sulphate. Last one was dead in the coop when I went to let them out. I suspected he had same issue as his waddle always remained pale and though he bred the girls-he never crowed. He was eating and drinking and appeared well before I put them up for the night. That was on Dec 11 & he was 5 months old. I’m praying the others have overcome the issue and will make it. All appear well and laying eggs with red waddle/combs. None of the first (adult chickens in the new coop were effected thus far, although I did have 2 falling over-first one had a bum leg when I got him that escalated as it grew older that I attributed it to, torn tendon and finally couldn’t stand on it. Around a month later, I think possibly the 2nd might have dislocated it’s leg. Thru this list, I doctored her for 2 weeks with vitamins with little progress before euthanizing. She could move about using her wing and she could stand a few seconds and get her legs under her and never stopped eating or drinking. This was mid Dec also. So not sure if connected to disease or not.
I did a necropsy on the 4th one that came back
Necropsy Diagnosis:
Adenocarcinoma involving ovary, mesentery, intestine, and pancreas.
Told me they see it a lot and they don’t know why. She had laid eggs every day for 2 weeks, then stopped about a week before her death. Same symptoms as others. I suspected Avian Leukosis-possibly from infected mothers and that spread. Questioned Inspector but said no as tumors weren’t found in liver I think. I did not have others necropsies as I didn’t agree with their diagnosis. Adenocarcinoma is not contagious, too coincidental, and tumors could be result from Avian Leukosis? Possibly I will take next one if another dies for a necropsie. I plan to learn to necropsy my own future chickens if applicable.
Soooooo here’s my question. I would like to try again with new day old chicks. Though I won’t know what was the ailment, If it is Avian Leukosis, all my chickens would be carriers, therefore I do not plan to hatch out any more. I’m thinking I read there is a disinfectant spray Vikon S maybe to kill diseased coop run and possibly barn lime. Afterwards, do you think it would be ok to try new chicks with vaccinations again? Don’t know if vaccination would help if Avaian Leukosis. It was very difficult going thru 3-5 months raising them and then losing them. I don’t want to put them or me thru it again.
What is your perspective/recommendation. I would not get them till mid summer, after I would feel confident these are going to make it or not. If so, should I move the 4 I have left into the big run with the other flock and let new chicks have old disinfected run/coop? Or keep them where they are and integrate them with the new ones when they are old enough.
Around 3 months, the chicks started dying for no apparent reason, other than diarrhea. No signs of respiratory, no (apparent) signs of Marek’s disease. Thanks to this list, I could possibly attribute it to using sugar sand with not enough ventilation in the coop (has been modified). I also had purchased a built cage for the chicks as well as the mamas. Chicks cage might have been used a couple times, but appeared new. Mama’s was used. They could possibly have been infected? The friends that also got some of the chicks in the shipment tell me theirs are well so I don’t think it lies with them? The only signs of illness were diarrhea, droopy tails, not eating-then death a few days later, with the exception of one that had lesions in mouth (didn't smell) that I attributed to pox. All chickens were wormed 2x, Corid, copper sulphate. Last one was dead in the coop when I went to let them out. I suspected he had same issue as his waddle always remained pale and though he bred the girls-he never crowed. He was eating and drinking and appeared well before I put them up for the night. That was on Dec 11 & he was 5 months old. I’m praying the others have overcome the issue and will make it. All appear well and laying eggs with red waddle/combs. None of the first (adult chickens in the new coop were effected thus far, although I did have 2 falling over-first one had a bum leg when I got him that escalated as it grew older that I attributed it to, torn tendon and finally couldn’t stand on it. Around a month later, I think possibly the 2nd might have dislocated it’s leg. Thru this list, I doctored her for 2 weeks with vitamins with little progress before euthanizing. She could move about using her wing and she could stand a few seconds and get her legs under her and never stopped eating or drinking. This was mid Dec also. So not sure if connected to disease or not.
I did a necropsy on the 4th one that came back
Necropsy Diagnosis:
Adenocarcinoma involving ovary, mesentery, intestine, and pancreas.
Told me they see it a lot and they don’t know why. She had laid eggs every day for 2 weeks, then stopped about a week before her death. Same symptoms as others. I suspected Avian Leukosis-possibly from infected mothers and that spread. Questioned Inspector but said no as tumors weren’t found in liver I think. I did not have others necropsies as I didn’t agree with their diagnosis. Adenocarcinoma is not contagious, too coincidental, and tumors could be result from Avian Leukosis? Possibly I will take next one if another dies for a necropsie. I plan to learn to necropsy my own future chickens if applicable.
Soooooo here’s my question. I would like to try again with new day old chicks. Though I won’t know what was the ailment, If it is Avian Leukosis, all my chickens would be carriers, therefore I do not plan to hatch out any more. I’m thinking I read there is a disinfectant spray Vikon S maybe to kill diseased coop run and possibly barn lime. Afterwards, do you think it would be ok to try new chicks with vaccinations again? Don’t know if vaccination would help if Avaian Leukosis. It was very difficult going thru 3-5 months raising them and then losing them. I don’t want to put them or me thru it again.
What is your perspective/recommendation. I would not get them till mid summer, after I would feel confident these are going to make it or not. If so, should I move the 4 I have left into the big run with the other flock and let new chicks have old disinfected run/coop? Or keep them where they are and integrate them with the new ones when they are old enough.
