HELP - MY ROOSTER IS SICK - Thank You!

[roostersandhens]

I had recently (2 weeks ago) rescued 12 hens. After doing research, I think they may be carriers of ILT. Which in unfortunately contagious with no cure. I do think that is what they have. Because once a chicken is vaccinated for this disease they become a carrier, and I think my newly rescued hens were vaccinated. So, now I need to vaccinate my entire flock, and I am afraid it is too late for my 2 roosters

There is no cure for ILT, and most chickens who become infected unfortunately die

Well, hopefully my boys make it

 

[Nambroth]

I suddenly was reminded of a thread I saw about a week ago, I hadn't posted to it because I wasn't sure of the answer... this is you right? https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ymptoms-of-respiratory-infections-in-chickens

Despite seeing problems with the new hens you didn't quarrantine? It is a recipe for disaster.

Anyhow the harm is done, if you do a lot of rescue and have a large number of birds that you value, it could well be worth the time and money to get some tests run. This is especially important if you plan on rescuing/bringing in new birds AND VERY important if you plan on adopting any out. It would be irresponsible to do so without knowing what disease you have in your flock. You could accidentally spread a deadly disease to well-intentioned people trying to adopt birds.

Kathy @casportpony might be able to get you the information you need for lab testing in CA...

Anyhow, I truly do hope that you don't lose any birds! It sounds like you care about them very much. I will be rooting for you!

 

[roostersandhens]

If one of the roosters dies, my vet wants me to send them to get a necropsy. Which, I hate doing since I like to bury them, but I am willing to do that. I sent a hen who died for a necropsy, and it turned out she had reproductive cancer. The hen who was sick that I was wondering about the respiratory infection got better after I treated them for cocci. The roosters who are sick were medicated for cocci too. I heard that someone in Australia made a vaccination for ILT that doesn't cause the chickens to become carriers, so hopefully I can order that. I won't be rescuing any more hens until this whole thing is fixed. I need to vaccinate my flock asap. If anyone knows of where I can order a vaccine for ILT let me know. I really think that the roosters unfortunately have ILT.. :,( Ugh, I wish the farm I got them from never vaccinated the hens, because then they probably wouldn't have it or be carriers so.. Anyways, now I have no choice but to medicate my flock. I will figure out what to do about the whole re-homing issue once I start rescuing hens that I plan to re-home. I don't want all the chickens in my area getting ILT.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

When doing rescue, IMO it's really important to have multiple coops scattered far and wide on one's property for proper quarantining.

 

[roostersandhens]

When doing rescue, IMO it's really important to have multiple coops scattered far and wide on one's property for proper quarantining.

okay

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'm starting to lean toward gapeworm too.

 

[roostersandhens]

Okay.

 

[Nambroth]

I know you feel you are in a time crunch for getting the vaccine into the rest of your birds, but stop and make sure to really think it out. The vaccine is a live vaccine, as you already know, and in the case of the currently used ILT vaccine, it causes the birds to be carriers. Since you want to do rescue, it would mean that you could no longer adopt birds out, and any incoming birds MUST have the vaccine. That's a lot to worry about.

If I were in your situation, I would do the following BEFORE I gave the ILT vaccine:

1. Check and make sure, 100% sure, that the birds you brought in were given the ILT vaccine and are truly carriers,

If they were not,

2. Get results on the necropsy to have a more clear picture of what you are dealing with.


Of course, if you do find out it is ILT for SURE, the choice to vaccinate as they are pet birds is a good one, but it comes with consequences.

I hope this helps, best wishes with your birds!!

 

[ten chicks]

I have read through several of your posts but,cannot find where you posted just exactly what his/their symptoms are,i did see your video.

 

[roostersandhens]

The other sick rooster (Pip) is doing a little better today But Bumblebee is doing worse