- Jul 12, 2013
- 5
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Hello everyone,
This forum has been very helpful to me on a number of occasions in the past, and I'd like to get some input on some really troubling problems I'm having in my flock. I searched the forums and web in general, and couldn't find anything that looked exactly like what I'm dealing with.
I've raised several groups of hatchery chicks, and had a backyard egg flock for years. So, after moving my family, and getting settled in, it was time to get a new batch of chicks. Note, there are no adult chickens involved here, but I am raising the chicks in the same coop where my flocks have always lived. I free range my adult chickens during the day.
So, I have a mixed breed herd of 25 chicks, about 6 weeks old now, that I have raised in a brooder box in a corner of the coop. It has a tool mesh (1/4" square) wire floor, so waste is always eliminated. I've followed the temperature guidelines here on the site and kept the heat lamp on during the night until recently. It's hot here in the south, and is now only getting down to 75 at night.
So, I've always wanted more Buff Brahmas since I had my first flock of random feed store chicks, which included one. She was very tame and mild mannered. So, when I ordered chicks, I got 6 Brahmas (full size).
A few days ago, I noticed that one of the Brahmas was holding its beak open, and on closer inspection saw that the pallette in the upper beak is incredibly swollen. It isn't really inflamed, or black, it just looks swollen. (see photos) He seems fine otherwise. He's eating, drinking, and maintaining his weight. It just looks like his beak is about to split. I've isolated him.
Now, today I noticed that this one and a couple of the other Brahmas have some kind of lesions on their sides (see photos), 2-4 per bird. They are almost like a very swollen, but popped, pimple. They each have a slightly sunken scab in the center. The one with the swollen beak doesn't have them as badly, I think he only has one.
So, does anyone have any experience with something like this, or know what I might be up against? I thought it could be Marek's, but it doesn't look like the pictures I've seen of Marek's on the skin. And there's no blackness, lameness, or any other symptoms. These chicks are from MM, and all the others seem fine. Also, I wouldn't say I've ever had good luck with Brahmas as chicks, though I love their temperaments when grown. But they've always been the frailest chicks of any breed I've had by far.
Anyway, any thoughts?
This forum has been very helpful to me on a number of occasions in the past, and I'd like to get some input on some really troubling problems I'm having in my flock. I searched the forums and web in general, and couldn't find anything that looked exactly like what I'm dealing with.
I've raised several groups of hatchery chicks, and had a backyard egg flock for years. So, after moving my family, and getting settled in, it was time to get a new batch of chicks. Note, there are no adult chickens involved here, but I am raising the chicks in the same coop where my flocks have always lived. I free range my adult chickens during the day.
So, I have a mixed breed herd of 25 chicks, about 6 weeks old now, that I have raised in a brooder box in a corner of the coop. It has a tool mesh (1/4" square) wire floor, so waste is always eliminated. I've followed the temperature guidelines here on the site and kept the heat lamp on during the night until recently. It's hot here in the south, and is now only getting down to 75 at night.
So, I've always wanted more Buff Brahmas since I had my first flock of random feed store chicks, which included one. She was very tame and mild mannered. So, when I ordered chicks, I got 6 Brahmas (full size).
A few days ago, I noticed that one of the Brahmas was holding its beak open, and on closer inspection saw that the pallette in the upper beak is incredibly swollen. It isn't really inflamed, or black, it just looks swollen. (see photos) He seems fine otherwise. He's eating, drinking, and maintaining his weight. It just looks like his beak is about to split. I've isolated him.
Now, today I noticed that this one and a couple of the other Brahmas have some kind of lesions on their sides (see photos), 2-4 per bird. They are almost like a very swollen, but popped, pimple. They each have a slightly sunken scab in the center. The one with the swollen beak doesn't have them as badly, I think he only has one.
So, does anyone have any experience with something like this, or know what I might be up against? I thought it could be Marek's, but it doesn't look like the pictures I've seen of Marek's on the skin. And there's no blackness, lameness, or any other symptoms. These chicks are from MM, and all the others seem fine. Also, I wouldn't say I've ever had good luck with Brahmas as chicks, though I love their temperaments when grown. But they've always been the frailest chicks of any breed I've had by far.
Anyway, any thoughts?
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since it appears to be slowly getting larger. He's still eating fine.
