- Jul 14, 2013
- 14
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Breed: Cornish Cross
Age: 12-13 weeks
Sex: Female
Back story: We ordered 25 cornish cross chicks mid summer. We had two die as young chicks, they appeared wet, small, and lethargic. These chicks passed within a few days or showing signs of illness. After these two died we had no problems till after we introduced the chick to the rest of our flock of laying chickens. Weeks after the introduction, one of our young adult roosters started acting funny. He was relatively unresponsive to his environment. He stood upright with his head tucked down and his wing hunched up, and eyes closed. When held, he was literally feathers and bone, and felt lifeless. This only went on for a few days, then he was dead. A few more weeks went by and another one of our cornish cross was showing all the same symptoms. We knew how it was going to end so we put him down. Weeks later again another cornish cross is sick. All other birds show no sign at all of being ill.
This one is showing different symptoms:
Laying down
Wings resting outward
Eating fine
Drinking fine
Pale
Every time it tries to walk it puts its face on the ground for balance
Both legs are under the bird
Stool looks normal
Skin looks normal besides slightly pale
Eyes look normal, were closed before treatment
No discharge anywhere
Feathers do appear ruffled and dirty
Was unresponsive to environment before treatment
Our current course of action:
The bird has been separated from the rest. We have it in a small coop with outside pen area. There is a heat lamp, and plenty of food and water easily accessible. We originally thought maybe coccidiosis was the diagnosis, and have been treating the bird with Corid for the last week. In that time we have seen a little improvement in the bird. Since treatment it does seem to be more alert, and the color in its face has come back a bit. The bird still cannot walk or stand. Its almost like it has lost its muscle mass in its legs.
Any input is appreciated.
Age: 12-13 weeks
Sex: Female
Back story: We ordered 25 cornish cross chicks mid summer. We had two die as young chicks, they appeared wet, small, and lethargic. These chicks passed within a few days or showing signs of illness. After these two died we had no problems till after we introduced the chick to the rest of our flock of laying chickens. Weeks after the introduction, one of our young adult roosters started acting funny. He was relatively unresponsive to his environment. He stood upright with his head tucked down and his wing hunched up, and eyes closed. When held, he was literally feathers and bone, and felt lifeless. This only went on for a few days, then he was dead. A few more weeks went by and another one of our cornish cross was showing all the same symptoms. We knew how it was going to end so we put him down. Weeks later again another cornish cross is sick. All other birds show no sign at all of being ill.
This one is showing different symptoms:
Laying down
Wings resting outward
Eating fine
Drinking fine
Pale
Every time it tries to walk it puts its face on the ground for balance
Both legs are under the bird
Stool looks normal
Skin looks normal besides slightly pale
Eyes look normal, were closed before treatment
No discharge anywhere
Feathers do appear ruffled and dirty
Was unresponsive to environment before treatment
Our current course of action:
The bird has been separated from the rest. We have it in a small coop with outside pen area. There is a heat lamp, and plenty of food and water easily accessible. We originally thought maybe coccidiosis was the diagnosis, and have been treating the bird with Corid for the last week. In that time we have seen a little improvement in the bird. Since treatment it does seem to be more alert, and the color in its face has come back a bit. The bird still cannot walk or stand. Its almost like it has lost its muscle mass in its legs.
Any input is appreciated.
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