First Time Ever!!! Week Old chicks dying!

[theswede]

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Wow! Excellant info! That does fit some of the chicks. But I've had the same hens laying for about 2 and a half years now. Wouldn't this have happened before?

 

[FisherMOM]

I'm really not sure, they may have just recently contracted it? Are there any new birds added to the flock?

Here in NY, a state vet will come and test for up to 30 birds in your flock.. and its free. Actually, in order to take birds to fair to show, they NEED the test. It is a quick blood test. My flock is clean.

This is how I know this about the babies. We had just hatched some 4 weeks prior to the vet visiting. She told me they'd not have lived so long if they had it.

 

[theswede]

I did in fact get some new birds, but they were about 3 months old and I keep them seperate from my buffs. And the person I got them from keeps her flock in tip top shape. I'm really picky about what I bring home. Like my Buffs the original group was hand picked and the rest of my birds are all from this group.

Now my wife has started raising bantams, and I did have some in my brooder with my new buffs. But hers are all healthy and no signs of sickness. But I guess like the article said, they could be carriers. And that was the first time this happened. I guess we better get that group tested. Thanks!

 

[FisherMOM]

glad I could set you in a direction to check. I hope that you get some answers. Good luck with your flock.

 

[twzlrwho]

You mentioned cedar shavings. This could be the problem and if it's not now, it will in the future. Cedar shavings are really bad for any animal really, but chickens especially.

 

[theswede]

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Can you explain, I've never had a problem before. What are the hazards???

 

[twzlrwho]

Cedar is toxic to chickens. There are several threads here if you want to do a search.

 

[theswede]

Thanks I'll do that!