Cornish Cross Pullet acts lethargic.

[LibbyR]

Out of my 14 Cornish cross, one acts really lethargic and lays around. It does eat and drink normally still but am wondering if there’s some illness like this. All birds were fine this morning but now this one is weird. Separated her immediately in order to keep spread of whatever she’s got down. They have not been exposed to any birds and are fed commercial feed and fruit occasionally. 12 weeks old.

 

[Outpost JWB]

I'm so glad you separated it.... The number one thing I can tell you is to give it 'Save A Chick' which is the same as eletrolight... It could be something as small as it getting picked on our something as big as a virtuas...please keep me updated!

 

[LibbyR]

I'm so glad you separated it.... The number one thing I can tell you is to give it 'Save A Chick' which is the same as eletrolight... It could be something as small as it getting picked on our something as big as a virtuas...please keep me updated!

Definetly will update. Planning on doing a little dissection if it were to die just to see if I can prevent a outbreak as my meat pen goes to fair this next week. Hoping for a pecking order problem though.

 

[Outpost JWB]

Definetly will update. Planning on doing a little dissection if it were to die just to see if I can prevent a outbreak as my meat pen goes to fair this next week. Hoping for a pecking order problem though.

Good luck! Mine already showed in the Clinton county fair (Ohio)

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is the chicken? Can it stand up and walk? Coccidiosis comes to mind, but meat birds aparently can suffer from heart problems and leg issues. If coccidiosis is suspected, I would start them on Corid in the water for 5-7 days. Dosage is 1.5 tsp of Corid Powder or 2 tsp of Corid liquid per gallon of water. Symptoms of coccidiosis include lethargy, standing around hunched or puffed up, runny poops which may include blood, poor appetite in later stages, and ruffled feathers. There is sno meat or egg withdrawal time with Corid.

 

[LibbyR]

How old is the chicken? Can it stand up and walk? Coccidiosis comes to mind, but meat birds aparently can suffer from heart problems and leg issues. If coccidiosis is suspected, I would start them on Corid in the water for 5-7 days. Dosage is 1.5 tsp of Corid Powder or 2 tsp of Corid liquid per gallon of water. Symptoms of coccidiosis include lethargy, standing around hunched or puffed up, runny poops which may include blood, poor appetite in later stages, and ruffled feathers. There is sno meat or egg withdrawal time with Corid.

The rest don’t act sick at all. So I don’t think it is. Also they’ve been on medicated feed for a majority of their life except for about 6 weeks. We wonder if she has heart problems like you said and is just the weaker of the bunch.

 

[rebrascora]

12 weeks old is longer than most Cornish cross are processed. They are prone to any number of ailments due to their rapid growth, so it could be a joint disorder or heart issue, especially if she is still eating and drinking. It would make more sense to process her now than bother to medicate or risk her spreading something or dying before you process her. I would imagine she is of a size to process and the bigger they get the more strain on their organs and skeleton. Is there any reason why you have kept them so long?

 

[Eggcessive]

A friend’s son raised cornish crosses for the county fair one year, and they were shown at 6 weeks old, then the next day we butchered them ( I was only a helper, a novice at that.) The day before the fair one died of heart failure.

Coccidiosis can happen even when they are on medicated feed, and also if they have had the vaccine. So it may be just weak from the heart, or it could be something else. Unfortunately, we never know for sure without opening them up to have a look after they have died. Here is a good link about doing just that to look for coccidiosis:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/2/Coccidiosis Management/43/symptoms-and-diagnosis/

 

[LibbyR]

12 weeks old is longer than most Cornish cross are processed. They are prone to any number of ailments due to their rapid growth, so it could be a joint disorder or heart issue, especially if she is still eating and drinking. It would make more sense to process her now than bother to medicate or risk her spreading something or dying before you process her. I would imagine she is of a size to process and the bigger they get the more strain on their organs and skeleton. Is there any reason why you have kept them so long?

They are Cornish Roasters which are still hybrids but are bred to be able to live for 12-15 weeks due to growing slower. They are my fair project so that is why they are 12 weeks. They are not Cornish X.

 

[LibbyR]

A friend’s son raised cornish crosses for the county fair one year, and they were shown at 6 weeks old, then the next day we butchered them ( I was only a helper, a novice at that.) The day before the fair one died of heart failure.

Coccidiosis can happen even when they are on medicated feed, and also if they have had the vaccine. So it may be just weak from the heart, or it could be something else. Unfortunately, we never know for sure without opening them up to have a look after they have died. Here is a good link about doing just that to look for coccidiosis:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/2/Coccidiosis Management/43/symptoms-and-diagnosis/

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She’s still alive today so I’m gonna have to hold off opening her up. Going to keep her separate and watch the rest for symptoms. Currently there are no other sick ones.