Help...dying meat birds???

[newgirl]

Hi everyone!
I am fairly new at raising chickens. I have 13 brown leghorns that are almost 1yr old. I have raised them with only a few minor problems.

So, feeling confident I decided to order and raise meat birds. Friends and family loved the idea, so I end up ordering 100 birds. The first two nights I had them the weather turned cold with very strong winds. They did get a draft. They seemed to be sneezing. Then I had one who was wheezing...then dead. I quickly built an tent (with good air ciculation) over them and the heat lamps. Within a few days they all seemed to recover. They were strong for a couple weeks.

Then I started losing 1 each day (approx), without any real symptoms. The weather had changed to very hot and dry (30 C). At first I thought maybe heat exhaustion, so I set up a misting sprinkler on the edge of their run. I continued to lose 1 almost every day. Now, the symptoms are wheezing, breathing difficulties, lethargy, not opening eyes (unless startled)...death. At 5 weeks old I got Oxytetra-A, an antibiotic recommended by the owner of my feed store. I gave the entire flock the recommended dosage for 5 days.

They are 6 weeks old. Yesterday I lost 3 more. Today 1 had a seizure and dropped dead in front of me. I figured it was time for an autopsy. The entire body cavity was filled with a watery fluid. It exploded with the first cut. I had an experienced farmer here with me, who said he had never seen anything like it. The heart, stomach, and liver appeared to be normal.
The only other symptom I can see as a potential problem, is their poop is very runny. It has been like this from day one.

I feel like I am out of ideas. I would appreciate any insight or suggestions. It's breaking my heart watching them suffer and die early.
Also, I am wondering if these birds will be safe to eat.

Thank you, for any help any of you can offer.

P.S.
I'd like to do a better intorduction, when I'm not so stressed

 

[sammi]

how are you keeping them? (pen/coop/free range/brooder?)
what bedding so you use?
if ranging/foraging..could they be getting into anything bad?

are they in with other chickens, or separate?

describe the droppings, you say it's runny..what color is it?

what all do you feed?
is the feed medicated?

check the crops..it's a little sac near the bottom of the neck on top of the breast, slightly to the he bird's right.
at roost time..it should feel full..
in the morning before they eat..it should feel empty..
feel for any lumps, doughy or grainy feeling..or any sour odor.

sounds like they could have cocci and respiratory illness..
if so..liquid Sulmet 12.5% or Corid/Amprol..(for cocci)
For respiratory..Tylan 50 injectable, erythromycin, (other options)
or more Oxytetracycline (is that what you have?) ..

http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/store/index.php?cPath=21

but need more info..
will check back for your reply.

 

[cassie]

What are you feeding them and how often? They should be on a broiler feed with feed twelve hours on and twelve hours off. For example, take the feed away at seven at night and give it back at seven in the morning. Some extra vitamins, such as Murray McMurray's Broiler Booster in the water is helpful. It is important that they have good ventilation, but drafts are deadly. Make sure the bedding is dry. Wet dirty bedding, drafts, poor ventilation, and feed 24/7 is a recipe for disaster with Cornish X.

 

[Judy]

The fluid was most likely ascites, or fluid in the abdominal cavity, caused by heart failure. That and leg problems are typical of these birds. If you have been feeding 24/7, I agree, they will be more prone to these problems.

I'd start processing tomorrow.

 

[newgirl]

Hi all, thanks for the replies!

They are Cornish Giant Pullets.
I am keeping them in a coop with a very large run. (I've lost a few layers to predators, so I am keeping everyone in large fenced areas). I don't think they are getting into anything harfmul.
I am alternating pine shavings and bales of peat moss, to keep the bedding fresh and dry.
I am keeping them seperate from my other chickens.
The poop is runny and GREEN, most times. I figured it was green because of the weeds/grass they are eating.
I have been feeding them 18% all-purpose laying mash.
The only antibiotic my feed store could get was oxytetracycline.

I have been making the mistake of feeding them 24/7. That will end today...is the damage already done?
I feel so crappy, that I am learning from my mistakes at the expense of these birds!

I'll update again soon.
Is it ok to eat birds that have been so ill?

 

[Slywoody]

I think you need to get away from laying mash for one thing. They should be on starter/ grower. Laying mash is only for laying hens. Hope this helps.

 

[newgirl]

I just was up examining my sick flock again. The poop isn't really a GREEN, it is more of a dark mustard yellow, with a green tinge.
I have 3 more birds who look doomed, today. They are breathing heavy, not opening their eyes and one isn't holding her head up. I dip their beaks in the water to give them a drink, but from recent experience I know this isn't going to change their problems.

I agree that my meat birds shouldn't be on a laying mash. I had my husband ask at the feed store weeks ago...they told him that was what we needed. In the future I will not be relying on their lack of expertise/experience.

On a side note: should my 6 week old layers be eating laying mash or should they also be on a grower?

 

[joanie_maine]

Quote:
Get rid of the peat moss, get some broiler feed, preferably medicated at this point and feed on a better schedule.

 

[SpringChickens]

Yes, your birds are safe to eat. It sounds like typical mortality for older broilers not on a restricted feed diet. I did a project during college where I managed the birds in the broiler house for their 6 week stay. We probably lost 5-10% to symptoms similar to that which you are describing.

 

[Slywoody]

Your 6 wk old chicks should be on starter/ grower. You don't give them laying mash until 20 wks.