Hardest Thing I Have Ever Had To Do!

I have always said that I would do what is best for my birds rather than what is best for me. Sometimes this philosophy just sucks! I just had to cull my sweet little BO pullet. This is the first adult chicken I have ever put down.

I had a roo that began to slowly deteriorate about two weeks ago. At first, he just seemed depressed. He then started having difficulty walking. He appeared to be paralyzed on one side (leg then wing). He was eating like crazy but was still losing weight. We brought him in the house and cared for him but he did not respond to treatment. He quietly passed in his sleep. I initially thought he had a heart issue because he had a tendancy to faint when upset. He had done this his whole life. We would give him a bit of sugar water and he would wake up and be fine. He was between 25 and 30 weeks old.

During the same time period, I noticed a bump on my BO pullet's head. I assumed the roo had just been too rough with her. A few days later I saw that there was another and they were growing quickly. More began to form on her ear and her neck. The bumps were marble sized and did not appear to be infected. They were solid masses (tumors). The day before yesterday we found her huddled in the corner of the coop. She could not walk well. This bird also had paralysis on one side. She initally ate normally although weight loss was obvious. Tonight she was only semi-conscious and did not appear to be able to see. I had to make a very hard decision. I had to do it alone. Adrenaline is the only thing that got me through it. My younger daughter is devastated.

I am terrified that the rest of my flock is going to meet this same fate. I am hoping that this is something other than Marek's. I can't seem to find anything else with these symptoms though. There are no vets here that will look at them. The avian vet even refused. I was going to send my BO to the state lab but I do not believe I can now. I just couldn't let her suffer anymore.

I am so glad I have this forum to unload on. I guess I just needed to put this out into the universe. My non-chicken owning friends just wouldn't get it.

 

Thank you. I am waiting for my other daughter to come home so I can tell her. I wish this day would end already.

 

I am sorry you lost your girls, RoosterRidge.

Thank you MFB and Terrik.