CornishX - 4 Week Old Deaths

[G-Money1572]

I've raised CornishX meat birds for the last couple years, so I've experienced some of the issues they have with health challenges. I've lost one bird today, with another likely on the way out, and I'd appreciate some help in determining what is causing the death.

I have 25, they turned 4 weeks old yesterday. No death loss or issues to this point at all. I've been feeding 12 on, 12 off since they were 1 week old.

Two days ago, while moving their chicken tractor, I found a bird that just wouldn't stand up at all. I could pick him up and handle him without any sort of reaction. He just sat there. Which is unusual because I haven't tried to handle/tame these birds at all. They are still pretty flighty and skittish of human contact.

Last night I found another bird with the same symptoms. They basically just sit, and have their eyes closed and head down. They won't eat or drink. They look normal from a size perspective, and don't act like picking them up or handling them causes them pain.

Like I said, first one died this morning. Head down, on his belly. I wouldn't be surprised if I lost the second tonight.

I know that isn't a lot of information, but I'm curious if anyone has any thoughts on cause? I wouldn't think much of just one, but having two in quick succession makes me worry a bit that I have something other than the usual random death loss.

 

[BYCforlife]

Weird. I would personally say heart failure. Did they have any symptoms besides that? (Funny poop, sneezing, etc.)

 

[G-Money1572]

No symptoms. No coughing or sneezing. Their respiration rate is the same as the rest of the chickens in the pen. I've not seen any funny poop, their food does have AMP in it for coccidiosis. What combs they have are the same color as the rest of the birds - they aren't purple.

They just get very lethargic, don't move, and have their heads down and eyes shut 95% of the time.

I was also kicking around the heart failure idea. Two in quick succession just had me concerned, but maybe it's just the age.

 

[G-Money1572]

#2 is still hanging on in his quarantine box in the garage, but is getting progressively weaker. Yesterday, he'd lift his head and look around. This morning, he wouldn't even lift it off the ground. His hours are almost certainly numbered.

The only thing I can add to the description above is that he has liquid/clear poops.

I may post mortem him and see what I find, just for curiosity sake.

 

[sfgwife]

How hot is it where you are? Cornishx dont do well in heat.

 

[G-Money1572]

Highs are around 80-83 this week, but were in the lower 70s last week.

Now that the temps are up, I do see open mouth panting mid day. They are in a shaded tractor, and have plenty of water.

Chicken #2 died last night. I didn't have time before work to do a post mortem. So unfortunately, this may remain a mystery. I've scanned descriptions of major poultry diseases and nothing seems to fit. Maybe it is one of those things where they had underlying heart or other issues, and the heat stress just pushed them over the top.

 

[G-Money1572]

Figured I'd update, since I sent the guys off for processing last Tuesday and are currently in my freezer.

Those were my only two deaths, the rest cruised right along. The timing was weird, but I guess I'll take it. I'd like to stay under 5% death.

 

[Nekatlla]

We had the same thing happen with our red broilers. Never had it explained. Never lost anymore than 3 out of 55. The only thing we noticed was that they were the three largest chicks at 3 1/2 weeks. We assumed they became too large for their legs to carry them and couldn't get to their water or food.