Losing Chickens to Unknown Causes?

[TheChickinator]

We purchased two dozen chicks from Meyer, and they will be 13 weeks old tomorrow. Starting around week 7-8, these chicks started dieing from an unknown cause.

The chicks that passed were large, appeared healthy, active, etc.

We lost our 5th chicken today. This morning, all chickens were fine. I went out to check on the chicks this afternoon, and found her laying within the coop. She was lethargic, eyes half closed, curled up, etc. I brought her in and tried to doctor her up, but she died within the hour. She was acting just like the first dying chick that I found around week 7-8.

The chicks were all vaccinated for Mereks at the hatchery. They have been on medicated chick feed. They have received some layer feed when we ran out of chick feed, but it hasn't been much.

We have a separate coop full of laying hens, and they've all been doing well.

As far as we could tell, their poop has been fine. They're not wheezing, making weird noises, or acting weird. They'll just be fine one day, and dead by evening or by the next morning.

Any ideas what we can do?

 

[glassdragonfly]

So sorry! I can't help but I know some that can! @Eggcessive @dawg53 @azygous Maybe they will be online soon.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. It still could be coccidiosis even though you used medicated starter feed. Corid 2 tsp per gallon of water for 5-7 days is the usual treatment for coccidiosis. A necropsy by your state vet is the best way to get a diagnosis. Call them, keep the body cold, not frozen, and sometimes they will necropsy 2 or 3 for the same price as one. Here is a list of state vets:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[azygous]

This is a mystery of the first order. Unfortunately, chickens are dying, so that takes away the spice of the challenge. This will involve some very careful comparisons between the juvenile group and the adult group.

What is different between the two groups?

Daytime range?
Water source?
Food sources?
Housing?
Bedding?
Treats?
Grit?

 

[Pennys Mama]

Sorry for your loss. It still could be coccidiosis even though you used medicated starter feed. Corid 2 tsp per gallon of water for 5-7 days is the usual treatment for coccidiosis. A necropsy by your state vet is the best way to get a diagnosis. Call them, keep the body cold, not frozen, and sometimes they will necropsy 2 or 3 for the same price as one. Here is a list of state vets:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

Is that corid dose from the liquid or powder form per gallon of water?

 

[dawg53]

Is that corid dose from the liquid or powder form per gallon of water?

That is the liquid dose.

 

[Pennys Mama]

That is the liquid dose.

Thanks!

 

[TheChickinator]

Thanks! We'll try the corid and see if that helps prevent future losses. A big difference between the two groups of chickens is our original layers were vaccinated for cocci when we purchased them from McMurray. These chicks were only vaccinated for Marek's through Meyer.

I just hate losing these guys and not knowing what's going on. We'd hate for it to be contagious and spread to the rest of the flock too.

The two flocks are kept seperated in two different coops. They have the same type of bedding. The layers free range during the day, but the chicks have access to a fenced in run during the day. We don't provide the chicks with grit, but they should be able to get dirt and rocks outside in the run.

 

[pintail_drake2004]

Part of the our run for the chicks is on a old road bed. So there is a lot of residual grit available. As my wife (TheChickinator) said, all other things are equal except where we got the birds from. The laying flock will range all around the chicks pen. Their food is bought from the same place and I try to get the newest stock available. The laying coop, and the chick coop is part of the same building (opposite ends, with 1 solid metal wall). They both get meal worms, pumpkins, and fresh greens for treats.

I'll dose their water with our Corid powder this evening, and hopefully we won't lose any more.

 

[azygous]

Since the chicks have a different coop, is there anything in the way of petroleum distillates, paint, thinner, peeling paint, recent insecticide applications?