Chickens dying.... need help..

[sniper338]

I have some cream leg bars that are dropping.... I dont know what the heck is going on... pictures of two different birds... its very slow progression of lethargic, eyes closed, drooping wings and head. They will snap outta it and move if you make them for a few seconds.. then go right back to closing their eyes and puffing up, drooping...

One just died ibe been watching for 2 or 3 weeks go down hill... another just started today...

I have 25 birds... just this breed with any issues so far... the rooster is fine.. but the hens arent... they are almost at point if lay to start laying... isnt like they are young young...

 

[sniper338]

I cant get pictures to upload....

 

[casportpony]

Have you thought about having one necropsied?
Texas

• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
  • Gonzales Laboratory
  • Center Laboratory
  • Canyon Laboratory
  • Station Laboratory

 

[FrostRanger]

I would contact your state's poultry extension to arrange for a necropsy. Clearly something is going on, but we won't know for sure what without a necropsy

 

[sniper338]

Have you thought about having one necropsied?
Texas

• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
  • Gonzales Laboratory
  • Center Laboratory
  • Canyon Laboratory
  • Station Laboratory

How much does that cost? I dont know anything about that...

 

[casportpony]

How much does that cost? I dont know anything about that...

Call and ask. If you aren't close enough to drop one off, ask if you can use their FedEx number. Many labs will let you use their FedEx number, which makes shipping overnight affordable since they get better rates than we do.

And check out this article:

How to Send a Bird for a Necropsy in California​

 

[FrostRanger]

How much does that cost? I dont know anything about that...

Depends, I don't know about your state but in mine and many others they offer it for free for private owners. Even if it isn't free, it still shouldn't be much and the information you'll get will be invaluable. I had a mysterious illness in my flock and had a necropsy done and it was one of the best management decisions I ever made. Turns out what it was neither I nor anyone else would have figured it out by taking educated guesses as both of my birds who fell ill weren't presenting the usual symptoms (illness was wet fowl pox and neither of my sick birds had the telltale white gunk in their beaks). That knowledge has let me know that the disease was a problem in my area and since it has a vaccine, I know to vaccinate future birds to prevent them from falling ill. I would strongly encourage you to get the necropsy so you know for sure what you're dealing with and can plan what you need to do in the future

 

[sniper338]

Depends, I don't know about your state but in mine and many others they offer it for free for private owners. Even if it isn't free, it still shouldn't be much and the information you'll get will be invaluable. I had a mysterious illness in my flock and had a necropsy done and it was one of the best management decisions I ever made. Turns out what it was neither I nor anyone else would have figured it out by taking educated guesses as both of my birds who fell ill weren't presenting the usual symptoms (illness was wet fowl pox and neither of my sick birds had the telltale white gunk in their beaks). That knowledge has let me know that the disease was a problem in my area and since it has a vaccine, I know to vaccinate future birds to prevent them from falling ill. I would strongly encourage you to get the necropsy so you know for sure what you're dealing with and can plan what you need to do in the future

I called... I gotta mail em off... its like $85+ depends if they have to do more testing..

 

[FrostRanger]

I called... I gotta mail em off... its like $85+ depends if they have to do more testing..

That is more expensive than I've seen. I would still do it if you can afford it so you can get to the bottom of issue. Regardless of what you do, do separate the sick birds in hopes of possibly containing it. If they've been together this long it might already be too late but it's still worth a shot

 

[Beau plus penny]

I have some cream leg bars that are dropping.... I dont know what the heck is going on... pictures of two different birds... its very slow progression of lethargic, eyes closed, drooping wings and head. They will snap outta it and move if you make them for a few seconds.. then go right back to closing their eyes and puffing up, drooping...

One just died ibe been watching for 2 or 3 weeks go down hill... another just started today...

I have 25 birds... just this breed with any issues so far... the rooster is fine.. but the hens arent... they are almost at point if lay to start laying... isnt like they are young young...

i was thinking coccidiosis but 2 or 3 weeks is pretty long so idk.