Lethargic young chickens dying with few symptoms, advice needed please!

[Rachael4444]

Obviously your partner needs to read the feeding instructions on the feed bag. If he had done so, he would have read that the layer feed is for pullets/hens over 18 weeks of age or those actively laying eggs and specifically not for growing birds.

Yes. Won’t be an issue going forward!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I edited my last post. Please let your partner read the second paragraph.

 

[Rachael4444]

I edited my last post. Please let your partner read the second paragraph.

Very important information, thank you. I’m sure he’ll appreciate the explanation and I’ll read him your post.

 

[BigECart]

Definitely send one for a necropsy if they aren’t getting better. I had a similar experience with my first flock - the breeder insisted that they were perfectly healthy when he sold them to me. I chased symptoms for several weeks before I sent one to the lab. While the diagnosis was devastating (Mareks), at least I had peace of mind that it wasn’t anything I was doing wrong.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

https://www.purinamills.com/chicken-feed/education/detail/mapping-your-chicken-feed-program

 

[Rachael4444]

Definitely send one for a necropsy if they aren’t getting better. I had a similar experience with my first flock - the breeder insisted that they were perfectly healthy when he sold them to me. I chased symptoms for several weeks before I sent one to the lab. While the diagnosis was devastating (Mareks), at least I had peace of mind that it wasn’t anything I was doing wrong.

Oh dear, I read about Mareks and it sounds awful, I’m sorry. I don’t want to speak too soon but they don’t seem any worse off today and we haven’t lost another one.

 

[Rachael4444]

Many of you were correct! The feed store is no longer allowed to carry amprolium, but I at least was able to pick up oyster shell grit and chick feed. The apologetic store attendant sent me home with a small bag of the medicated feed that has amprol in it, although it says right on the bag that it won’t treat an outbreak. Better than nothing for today - I found an on-call vet that will have amprolium ready for me tomorrow morning. Thank you again to everyone for their help and support! The vet said you were all spot-on with your diagnosis

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Avian Urolithiasis
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/urolithiasis
http://www.livestocklibrary.com.au/handle/1234/19522