Help with some Cornish Cross

[Red Frog]

Hi Everyone. Have a question hopefully someone here would maybe know the answer to. We are on our second year of raising meaties this year (we use the Joel Salatin pastured poultry method-a little more secure from the wild animals we usually get around our house.) Noticed a few days ago one of the meats was acting a little strange-won't get up, drinks, but only nibbles. Doesn't really move around, but can still squawk. Her poop is more white and green. She must be eating grass as well. Also noticed one of the males mounts her (these guys are 10 weeks old and everyone will be slaughtered this weekend.). She is also getting a bit trampled, so I put her in a corner where she can't too beat up. We've had some extreme weather in the Northeast recently, going from 80-85 and sunny, humid, to 65 and rain. She looked cold this morning. Now I have another hen with the same symptoms. I'm hoping this might be either genetic, or just too much stress. It's not coci: no bloody poop, and this began last Thursday-would've died already (we had dealt with a bout of coci with our layers 3yrs ago, know the symptoms.). The only change we've made in the last couple of weeks is switching the feed from the tractor supply pellets to a more powdery feed mixed by the Amish. Unfortunately it's layer feed (16% protein opposed to 18%) so trying to up protein, but we needed to economize due to some recent emergencies. It's also in recycled bags of sheep feed. Don't know if that might have an effect.

I was thinking about separating them during the day, but want to make sure this isn't a disease that will spread. My separate area is the grassy enclosed area on the back of the layer coop-shade, but no top protection, and the layers free range except when we are leaving for the day, then they're in their enclosed area where they can go back and forth from the outside to inside.

 

[GitaBooks]

Cornish crosses grow so fast that they don't have strong immune systems. They could have something bacterial, something viral, or even fungal. Coccidia doesn't always show the symptom of bloody droppings, though I agree, it probably isn't.
It could be because of the food change, as powdered foods can be harder to eat sometimes. Layer food can also cause liver problems, because it has too much of some kinds of nutrients and not enough of other kinds.
It could be the hot weather, as meat birds do poorly in hot weather.

Anyways, I hope they stay healthy and taste great!

 

[Red Frog]

I don't think it's the hot weather. I'm thinking it's something bacterial or the food change. We've already done in 6 of the 25 we had, so if I only slaughter 17 this weekend and get these girls healthy next week, I'll be satisfied. If I lose them, I'll accept that too. 2 out of 25 isn't bad.

 

[Red Frog]

On a little update, the first one who got sick seemed to be eating a lot better tonight when I gave her food separately. So whatever it is, it seems to just have to work through the system.