Hi everyone, looking for some help or insight.
I have roughly 75 chickens and 22 ducks. About 25 of the chickens are 17 weeks old, and they’ve been integrated with the adults for several weeks now. I’m in Minnesota, and our temps have been around 0-20°F the last couple of weeks.
On Wednesday, I found one of my 17-week-old pullets half paralyzed with her eyes closed. When I picked her up she just curled up, and she passed a couple hours later.
Then on Saturday, I noticed another one of the 17-week-olds doing something similar — curled up, eyes closed, but still standing. I brought her inside thinking maybe she was chilled, but she also passed within a couple hours.
These younger birds aren’t showing many symptoms before they decline, and it seems to happen very fast. I’ve been reading and Marek’s disease keeps coming up as a possibility, but I’m not sure.
Has anyone experienced this? Could it be the cold, even though they’re in an insulated coop and appear to be eating and drinking normally? Any ideas or advice on what to look for or what to do next? I’m really worried about losing more of the younger birds.
Thank you in advance.
I have roughly 75 chickens and 22 ducks. About 25 of the chickens are 17 weeks old, and they’ve been integrated with the adults for several weeks now. I’m in Minnesota, and our temps have been around 0-20°F the last couple of weeks.
On Wednesday, I found one of my 17-week-old pullets half paralyzed with her eyes closed. When I picked her up she just curled up, and she passed a couple hours later.
Then on Saturday, I noticed another one of the 17-week-olds doing something similar — curled up, eyes closed, but still standing. I brought her inside thinking maybe she was chilled, but she also passed within a couple hours.
These younger birds aren’t showing many symptoms before they decline, and it seems to happen very fast. I’ve been reading and Marek’s disease keeps coming up as a possibility, but I’m not sure.
Has anyone experienced this? Could it be the cold, even though they’re in an insulated coop and appear to be eating and drinking normally? Any ideas or advice on what to look for or what to do next? I’m really worried about losing more of the younger birds.
Thank you in advance.
