Coccidosis?

[Samanthab88]

What is your location (state?) Do you know if your chicks were vaccinated? Although Mareks could be the reason, so many falling ill with those symptoms in a period of two weeks is suspicious. There has been a virulant Newcastles Disease outbreak in southern California for the last 6 months. I would also check the feed for any off odor or greenish mold. If you contact your state vet, they may even do a free necropsy if you are concerned about Newcastles. In this article on Mareks, there is a section on diseases that can look like Mareks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

I would also suggest that you change the name of your thread to “possible mareks?” or something similar, just so more people have a look at it

I am located in Alaska. I am unsure how to change the thread name. I was almost certain of mareks but am just confused at this point. Thought I nailed it as vitamin deficiency (lack of sunlight the last few months here), then I thought perhaps botulism due to contaminated straw. With no improvements and more birds weakening I thought mareks or coccidosis. I started treatment for coccidosis using chorid and no improvements. Once birds show signs of pale eyes, sometimes looks like puffiness on top eyelid I bring them inside and keep them separate, the first batches lived a while but the second batch died within a couple days. The two I have been watching frequently are loving wet food (mixed with treated chlorid water) this is an improvement after the last group that passed. They wouldn’t eat at all. Still at a loss. If no improvement I may contact the state vet though it’s almost impossible to get ahold of him here and not likely if necropsy for a reasonable cost. I worked for animal control for a good amount of time and it was tough to get things done even in uniform.

 

[Samanthab88]

Update: my two current birds under quarantine are still alive (day two of quarantine). Still eating on their own. One birds standing the other still laying on her left side. Poop is greenish colored and white but thicker than before when they just had diarrhea. No blood in feces. Eyes much not alert than prior sick birds. Still treating with chorid. Birds outside- 12 hens and a roo look in good shape. Much more color to faves than these two. First thing I noticed was a whiter face with all sick birds, puffed up feathers and sleepy.

 

[Notaneggspurt]

Thank you for the update. I'm hoping if times comes for a necropsy it goes smoothly. Is the state vet the only option?

 

[Eggcessive]

If you cannot get a necropsy, at least you can do one yourself, but it needs to be done as soon as possible after death for coccidiosis, since the intestines really start to deteriorate quickly and turn grey. A professional can still tell more. Take pictures of organs, especially the intestines and ceca and post here. With Mareks, there can be tiny tumors along intestines, on the liver wall, the heart, and elsewhere on organs. Those poor sweeties look pretty weak. Sorry that you are dealing with this. Here is one of several necropsy guides:
http://web.uconn.edu/poultry/poultrypages/Poultry necropsy manual 02008.pdf

 

[Samanthab88]

Thank you for the update. I'm hoping if times comes for a necropsy it goes smoothly. Is the state vet the only option?

Didn’t find any options for a legitimate necropsy. Even our state vet doesn’t offer testing on coccidosis or mareks by public. We will see what happens and Hope for the best.

 

[Samanthab88]

Had another bird pass last night. One remaining in quarantine. Rest of the flock outside seems alright for now. Some photos of what I found.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. Thanks for the pictures. Hopefully others will chime in if they see anything helpful.

 

[Samanthab88]

I have been in touch with cackle hatchery. They will be forwarding the photos to their agricultural rep.