I have a small group of Cornish Cross birds that are due to get processed shortly. (Picture is old) They have been out of the brooder and outdoors for 3 weeks. I do 4 weeks in the brooder then 4 weeks outside.
I found one male dead 2 days ago. We assumed a heart attack due to no obvious reason for death and the breed is known for heart problems/heart attacks. Later that night I found a small girl with her feet out front and not getting up when I went out to move the tractor. She had been standing but not running over to eat in the mornings like the rest for a few days. She was eating and drinking though. We thought she was being smart and avoiding the crowd at the feeder. Yesterday morning she is dead and I saw another small girl not moving around looking much like the other. The last couple of nights have been colder (frost temps) but...What comes to mind is Marek's. What do you think? I've not seen this in meat chickens before and it concerns me. I have to go out of town next week and so our processing date has been pushed back a week. Wondering if I'll have any chickens left to process. More importantly, will they be safe to eat?
The second girl is still alive but not able to get around well. She is currently in the shed in a crate and has been eating and drinking well since she can get to the food and water there. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what could be going on. I did change meatbird feed with this group. Kalmbach NON-GMO meatbird feed. Could it be a deficiency of some kind? I gave her Poultry cell and selenium today, food, food mixed with vitamin water, raw egg. She has eaten most of what I gave her. The rest of the meatbirds are doing ok tonight.
I need vet advice if at all possible please, or at least need to hear from someone knowledgable and not guessing. Thanks!
I found one male dead 2 days ago. We assumed a heart attack due to no obvious reason for death and the breed is known for heart problems/heart attacks. Later that night I found a small girl with her feet out front and not getting up when I went out to move the tractor. She had been standing but not running over to eat in the mornings like the rest for a few days. She was eating and drinking though. We thought she was being smart and avoiding the crowd at the feeder. Yesterday morning she is dead and I saw another small girl not moving around looking much like the other. The last couple of nights have been colder (frost temps) but...What comes to mind is Marek's. What do you think? I've not seen this in meat chickens before and it concerns me. I have to go out of town next week and so our processing date has been pushed back a week. Wondering if I'll have any chickens left to process. More importantly, will they be safe to eat?
The second girl is still alive but not able to get around well. She is currently in the shed in a crate and has been eating and drinking well since she can get to the food and water there. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what could be going on. I did change meatbird feed with this group. Kalmbach NON-GMO meatbird feed. Could it be a deficiency of some kind? I gave her Poultry cell and selenium today, food, food mixed with vitamin water, raw egg. She has eaten most of what I gave her. The rest of the meatbirds are doing ok tonight.
I need vet advice if at all possible please, or at least need to hear from someone knowledgable and not guessing. Thanks!
