Dying Silkie, Dead Silkies! Please HELP!!

[CrziChickMom]

Im not sure exactly where or, how to create this post but, it is an emergency! I have a flock of 53 and, 4 out of my 5 silkies have mysteriously died this week! Almost 1 a day!!
I'm at such a lose. I've quarantined the silkies, for safety purposes. 2 had slight signs of injury but, nothing fatal. I currently have 1 inside my home, that i found outside in her nest box. Very, very ill and, lethargic.
They seem to be dropping like flies this week and, its really breaking my heart and, discouraging I absolutely LOVE my chickens and, cant bear my last to die. I've got one barely hanging on and, 1 left outside.
She has a limp, almost crocked neck. Her head boubles and, jitters, any time she even tries to pick it up. Shes not standing. Shes pooing all over the place, definitely uncontrollably.
I'm doing all i can for her, poor girl, making her eat and, drink as best I can. She seems to appreciate and, enjoy that a bit. I was worried of dehydration but, i cant see how!
Shes only about 5-6 months old. They've all grown wonderfully until now. Any ideas or, help is very, VERY appreciated! I'm going nuts here. I'd do just about anything right now to help her!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I'm going to link a post that will help you walk through the possibilities.

First, let me say, I am so sorry your Silkies are dying. That is heart breaking.

I know what lovable dust mops they are.

Now my thoughts.

You either have poison they got into, a vitamin deficiency (but that doesn't really fit all of them at the same time or with diarrhea), or most likely, it is Marek's.

Silkies are prone to Marek's, and 5 to 6 months of age would be about right for them to show it.

However, back to that link I'm talking about. It is the BYC Great Marek's thread. It will tell you everything you need to know and the common immitators of Mareks (such as poison, botulism, and aspergillis).

The last possibility I can think of is mycoplasma infections. It is a bacteria that can cause spasms and sometimes wry neck.

If you have the ability to get to an avian vet, now would be a good time. Having one of the other necropsied would give you valuable information for your last Silkie and for the rest of the flock. Often that can be done fairly cheaply through the local Ag Department.

Please keep us posted as to developments.

LofMc

Links:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

http://articles.extension.org/pages/68288/mycoplasmas-in-poultry

 

[CrziChickMom]

I'm going to link a post that will help you walk through the possibilities.

First, let me say, I am so sorry your Silkies are dying. That is heart breaking.

I know what lovable dust mops they are.

Now my thoughts.

You either have poison they got into, a vitamin deficiency (but that doesn't really fit all of them at the same time or with diarrhea), or most likely, it is Marek's.

Silkies are prone to Marek's, and 5 to 6 months of age would be about right for them to show it.

However, back to that link I'm talking about. It is the BYC Great Marek's thread. It will tell you everything you need to know and the common immitators of Mareks (such as poison, botulism, and aspergillis).

The last possibility I can think of is mycoplasma infections. It is a bacteria that can cause spasms and sometimes wry neck.

If you have the ability to get to an avian vet, now would be a good time. Having one of the other necropsied would give you valuable information for your last Silkie and for the rest of the flock. Often that can be done fairly cheaply through the local Ag Department.

Please keep us posted as to developments.

LofMc

Links:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

http://articles.extension.org/pages/68288/mycoplasmas-in-poultry

Oh my goodness!! You have NO clue how much your reply means to me right now! Ive just been giving her vits and, elctrolytes. Helping feed her. Trying to give her ANY bit of energy, fight or, hope. She looks up at me as if to say thank god im here helping her.
Its killing me seeing her like this. I appreciate your reply more than you know! God, what a time of need!! And panic. Thank you so, SO much!
I will most definitely keep you post and as for avian vets, Im going to look now but, unfortunately, i imagine they're closed right now im praying for the morning and, that shes able to hang on till then ...

 

[ChickNanny13]