EYP Deaths...Trying to Make Sense of Them

[N F C]

I've lost 3 (and suspect a 4th) chickens to egg yolk peritonitis this year. I've been comparing their breed, age, where we got them...anything I can think of to try to make sense of it all and hopefully, figure out what to expect with the remaining birds.

Here are the basic facts I have:

Yoshi: Black Australorp, from hatchery, born 04-13-2014. First sign of symptoms: 02-04-2015. Death: 02-05-2015

Sandy: Speckled Sussex, from hatchery, born 04-13-2014. First sign of symptoms: 06-09-2015. Death: 06-11-2015

Mei Li: Barred Ply. Rock, from hatchery, born 04-13-2014. First sign of symptoms: 07-21-2015. Death: 07-23-2015

They were all from the same place, we raised them from day-old chicks and they were part of a shipment of 15. In addition to these girls, we still have 10 others from the same hatchery that appear in good health (same 3 breeds as above plus red sex links). We also have 2 other chickens from another source that are 6 months older than the girls listed that died.

I've read most everything I can find about EYP and two things I've frequently seen was 1) this is a genetic thing; and 2) hatchery birds seem to be more prone to it.

I have 2 questions:
1. Are the 2 causes I read (genetic and hatchery quality) commonly agreed to be true?
2. How likely am I to lose more of my hatchery girls to this? (not sure anyone can answer that one)

I'm sick with worrying about my other girls. If I haven't provided enough information, I'll try to answer any questions.

 

[3goodeggs]

I had 25 hatchery chickens they are six years old, some dropped from heat, some had accidents and some got beat up too badly from being the bottom hen. and I believe a few may have had peritonitis, they were doing the penguin walk.

We have 10 left after 6 years. I guess I just have accepted the fact that they are not long lived animals- although in animal science they said that they can live to 22 years old, I kind of hope they all don't. I have my son's turtle that will out live me as it is.

What you are wondering is if there is something that your circumstances are causing? Like the height of the roost, or the feed, or the free ranging?

I think it is just the roll of the the chicken dice. I am sorry you are losing your girls, but I do not believe it is anything you have done or anything that is preventable.
These things happen.

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry, it's really hard to loose young birds. Were your birds necropsied, so you're sure of the diagnosis? Breeding for high egg production is a risk factor. Hatcheries, and most private breeders for that matter, don't select for longevity. Birds are bred early, and often not kept to their second year, much less longer. It's the most cost effective way to produce chickens, but counterproductive for the traits you are hoping for. I value my older healthy hens, and try for chicks from them. I just lost a year old Marans because of crop issues, very sad, but again maybe not something to breed on. Mary

 

[ronott1]

I am so sorry!

From my experience and from other posts, most egg laying problems with hatchery breeds happens the second year. Yours seem to be a bit young so the suggestion on getting a necropsy is a good one!

In California, we get free necropsy for focks under 1000 birds. It is a great service but would be worth the around $90.00 to have it done if it were not free.

Check to see if there is an Animal health program in your State that offers necropsy service. Here it is http://cahfs.ucdavis.edu

 

[N F C]

Thank you everyone.

Ron, using the info you gave me, I was able to find a department at the Un. of FL that offers necropsies. Not much is spelled out on their website that I can find but a phone number is provided so I'll call that. They have a form for submitting the request but it looks like it needs to be completed by a vet...I'll have to get that clarified also.

It's too late to send this bird in, DH has already disposed of the body. I'm still going to call, just in case. Hopefully, we won't need their services but good information to know.

Again, thank you all.

@Folly's place , Mary, so sorry you lost a young one to crop issues.

 

[casportpony]

Is this the lab you found:

Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
Florida Department of Ag and Consumer Services
2700 N. John Young Parkway
Kissimmee, Florida 34741
Phone: 321-697-1423
Fax 321-697-1467

This is your state vet:

Name: Dr. Michael Short
Title: State Veterinarian and Director of Animal Industry
Agency: Division of Animal Industry Department: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Office Address: 335 Mayo Bldg., 407 South Calhoun Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0800
Office Telephone No: (850) 410-0900
Fax No: (850) 410-0915
E-mail : [email protected]

-Kathy

 

[N F C]

Thanks Kathy for the contact information. I just talked to the UF vet diagnostic lab a bit ago.

UF will do a necropsy but it's pricey...$500. He didn't ask me to describe any symptoms but did mention there has been an uptick in encephalitis and West Nile virus due to the heat and rain causing more mosquitos than normal to breed. Of course, those pose a threat to humans so the State Health Department wants to keep track of infected birds.

The UF guy said the other option was to use the facility in Kissimmee. They'll do a necropsy for $50 but since they are only open Mon-Fri, a bird has to be packed in ice and sent via FedEx no later than Thursday mornings.

We disposed of our girl this morning so nothing to send anyone at this point. At least I know more than I did before and if any more of these deaths occur, I'll send her in (as long as it happens between Monday and Thursday). I just pray we don't lose any more.

Thank you all for your posts.

 

[casportpony]

You might want to call the lab in MD, I think they do inexpensive out-of-state necropsies.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

I think the labs in CA would charge ~$250, but don't quote me on that.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Of course you could always try it yourself. If it's egg related, it's usually quite obvious.

-Kathy

 

[3goodeggs]

My husband has a theory when it comes to fixing broken equipment. If it is already broke how much worse can he make it? Or in other words, if you can handle it, open the next one (That I hope doesn't happen) and see what looks broke. If there are yolks in the abdomen you will know.
Take pictures and post on here with a graphic warning and save $50.

$500 from the vet school? Yep, that sounds about right. I can't drive by that place without feeling my bank account whither.

Also, the girls that died from heat all did it young. Did you lose any of them when it was cooler?