Chicken CANCER???? What??? HELP!!!

[Chickenuser]

Alright, about four months ago when my chickens were dieing when they were 3 months old. I had 18, then about half of them just layed on the ground and wouldn't move. My mom thought it was because they were too fat to get up. But their legs didn't move and were very reluctant to move at all. Then they started dieing one by one. I just read something that talks about Chicken cancer and how it paralysis them and they are weak. Their poo was runny and kind of green sometimes if i remember correctly. They would flap when i can near. One of them was trying to stand, but couldn't, his wing was kind of bent, i would straighten it but it would just go back. To try and help them i would put them in the sun on the grass and put low water troughs around that they could reach and food near their heads. I also got this medicine that you put in water and it didn't help either, i saw them drink it. They did not have any visibal injuries or broken bonesexcept for the rooster and his bent wing.
My question: Did my chickens have cancer and will this affect the surviving flock later on? What should i do about it?
A couple have died since them, but none of the same symptoms. They just keeled over in a corner.

Do you have any advice?

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

Sounds more like Merek's disease to me. What breed are they? were they vacinated at the hatchery?

try this link or google to get lots of information

http://www.millerhatcheries.com/Information/Diseases/marek_disease.htm

 

[Chickenuser]

No they were not vaccinated, i got them at a Co-op. They are Golden-Cross pullets. ABout 6 hens and 1 rooster. That link does sound about right. Should my surviving chickens be alright now after 4 months? Or are they still in danger?

 

[BJ]

Lymphoid Leukosis is like a chicken cancer. No cure. Survivors will be carriers and there will be high losses in the flock. The symptoms you describe are this "cancer virus". It has the same symptoms as Merek's. What is happening is the liver is swelling and causing problems with leg mobility. I'm so sorry, but there is nothing that can be done. We euthenized one at a time. We have only 2 "carrier" chickens left.

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

Survivors of Mereks do well, but you should always get vacinated birds from now on. You may continue to have some losses as some birds go a much slower route of infection. Breeding for genetic resistance to this disease is or should be the top priority of breeders and hatcheries.

My understanding of Lymphoid Leukosis is that it's onset is in adult birds and the symptoms are weight loss and emaciation till death. There may be other strains of it that include paralysis like symptoms since it is a whole group of viruses that can cause it.

 

[silkiechicken]

And you must remember, vaccines are not 100%.

 

[lexustami]

Were they big white chickens? Are you sure they weren't Cornish X's? (meat birds)

Take care,

Tami

 

[Chickenuser]

Yes they were white. I think that the salesperson who sold them to me didn't know what he was talking about when he said they were egg layers though.

They don' t lay very often and they are very fat and will eat a lot!!! They are Golden Cross, or thats what the label said on the box.

 

[silkiechicken]

OH man, golden cross AND eat alot. I think you got yourself a bunch of meat birds there.

I re read your first post and all those are classic meat bird signs. They will rarely live long, falling over dead is their specialty and they are doing pretty good to still be alive now. Not moving around, balding feathers, and just plain laziness is normal for them. Best eat them really....

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

Can you post a picture? You said the poop was green and that is not a symptom of eating too much like a meat bird, it's more of not eating enough or none at all.

Do they have really thick legs that are short compared to the average chicken? Are they all pure white? The Golden cross should have some buff feathers mixed in and even some red on the wings sometimes.