Help with Mareks

[casportpony]

Quote: Where I live chick feed is *not* twice as expensive as layer feed. Yes, it is more expensive, but just a few dollars more. Layer feed has way too much calcium for chicks which can cause dehydration, visceral gout and kidney problems. Your other neurological problems are probably due to infection, but might be a vitamin deficiency.

Get them on a chick starter NOW!

If more die, send them off to the lab for necropsy.

Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
2831 N. Freeway
Tucson, AZ 85705 Phone 520-621-2356 Fax 520-626-8696
http://cals.arizona.edu/vdl/

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Yolk sac infections are very common in artificially incubated chicks. Incubators and brooders need to be thoroughly cleaned between hatches.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

And I would probably put the older chicks on Corid.

-Kathy

 

[Eggcessive]

Flock raiser or an all flock feed is so much easier to use when you are raising chicks, or having birds of all ages. All members of the flock can eat it, and it is pretty much the same as unmedicated chick starter/grower. Just put a container of crushed oyster shell in the coop for the extra calcium. Layer feed has 3 times the calcium that chicks, hens not laying, or roosters need, and can lead to gout later on. Flock raiser and chick starter are only $2 more a bag at most feed stores, but it has 20% protein versus 16% of layer, and that sometimes can help during molt and to prevent feather-picking.

 

[Nambroth]

Chicks this age / this young can not display symptoms of Marek's disease. They can have the disease, but it takes at least three weeks to show up.

I'd get them on chick feed or finely ground flock raiser feed.

I'd suspect yolk sac infections, or avian encephalomyelitis... this disease shows up in young chicks and 'looks' very much like Marek's disease!
Quote: http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...itis/overview_of_avian_encephalomyelitis.html

 

[kukupecpec]

Alright so I picked up a bag of chick starter to see if that helps any. I called a whole bunch of feed stores but the cheapest I can find is $20 for a 50lb bag. I'll keep looking around but that's twice what I pay for my layer mix =(

What can I do about vitamin deficiency? Is that just because of the layer feed? Is there anything I can do right NOW to help them while they get onto chick starter?

What is a yolk sac infection? Is that from unclean eggs? Or contamination from touching/candling etc? Is there any way to prevent that or is it just a risk you run when incubating without a broody?

Kathy - thank you for the necropsy info in my area! I was wondering where I could find that stuff out so that really helped. I will call them first thing tomorrow.

Is there anything I can do to prevent it spreading to my grown up flock?
What should I do with my new chicks that are hatching in the next couple days? Do I need to set up a new brooder? In a different area so the others stay isolated? Or can they go in with the others if I take out whoever is showing symptoms?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would use a good poultry vitamin in the water such Avian Super Pack 1/4 tsp per gallon of water: http://www.jefferspet.com/avian-super-pack/p/AB-P1/ Here are a couple of links to read about avian encephalomyelitis which can be transmitted through the egg:
http://www.avianweb.com/avianencephalomyelitis.html
http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/disease/481

 

[kukupecpec]

AE definitely looks right! I had two more drop dead today =(
I cleaned everything out, but I'm not sure what to do if chicks keep showing symptoms.

 

[casportpony]

You could try tube feeding and Baytril in case it's bacterial, but tube feeding is very time consuming a a little tricky if you haven't tube larger ones before.

-Kathy

 

[Nambroth]

AE definitely looks right! I had two more drop dead today =(
I cleaned everything out, but I'm not sure what to do if chicks keep showing symptoms.

Oh dear, I'm sorry! Where did you get the chicks? Are they hatched from your own birds or...?