Major Mortality rate what could be wrong with my flock? HELP PLEASE

[Winsor Woods]

BTW, this "toxidious..." Could he mean coccidiousus? Find out what medication he's treating this with. That could help you narrow down the name of the disease.

Dan

 

[easttxchick]

These are the symptoms of Newcastles-does any of this sound familiar?
I realize this is strictly an avian disease, but could this be what is killing your birds?
I know it sounds far fetched, but your situation is so odd, I looked up some odd things.

From Wikipedia:
"Signs of infection with NDV vary greatly depending on factors such as the strain of virus and the health, age and species of the host.
The incubation period for the disease ranges from 2 to 15 days. An infected bird may exhibit the following signs:
They can include respiratory signs (gasping, coughing), nervous signs (depression, inappetence, muscular tremors, drooping wings, twisting of head and neck, circling, complete paralysis), swelling of the tissues around the eyes and neck, greenish, watery diarrhoea, misshapen, rough- or thin-shelled eggs and reduced egg production.
In acute cases, the death is very sudden, and, in the beginning of the outbreak, the remaining birds do not seem to be sick. In flock with good immunity, however, the signs (respiratory an digestive) are mild and progressive, and are followed after 7 days by nervous symptoms, especially twisted heads."
A necropsy will show what is killing your flock- I would contact the State Dept. of Agriculture regardless-if there is some kind of epidemic going on, they need to be notified.
This really doesn't sound like coccidiosis to me, I could be wrong, though.
Good luck and make sure you and your family WASH YOUR HANDS, shoes, clothes, whatever has possibly come into contact with these animals.

 

[Winsor Woods]

Yes it doesn't sound like cocci to me either but I've never heard of "toxidious." I thought if it was cocci the other guy had then she doesn't need to investigate that thread any further. Sorry if it sounded like I suggested that cocci was responsible.

Dan

 

[tammyd57]

I've read the sequence of events several times and it seems to me to all start at "In June she brought back one Buff orpinton"
The Orpington cockerel may have been exposed to something while he was gone and brought it back with him.
I have no clue what would affect so many different species of animals or if all the deaths could possibly be related. Your State Vet can get those answers for you. You will need freshly deceased or refrigerated bodies for the vet to take samples from. Don't freeze them.
I'm so sorry about your losses and hope you can get to the cause quickly and not lose anymore.

 

[Lorije1]

Fowl cholera can kill quickly... or incubate over a period of time. I did find one study where Fallow Deer had the "molecular fingerprint" of Fowl Cholera (haemorrhagic septicaemia). Then it got so confusing I didn't know what I was looking at so I quit. but you might look around and see if any of it makes sense to you.

 

[bossynbella]

Honestly of all these things Newcastle sounds like a perfect fit. But it says "Fortunately NDV has not infected domestic chicken flocks in the United States since the last outbreak was eradicated in 1974." Still I think I will contact the state vet and see about shipping a decesed bird in for examination. I'm afraid if it is NewCastle my whole flock is gone. It says there is no treatment for it.
keep the ideas coming Im hoping for something other then Newcastle disease.
Melissa

 

[drumstick diva]

Do you know if the lady that brought back the buff orpington has any problems with her animals now? Could you get in touch with her and find out? If her animals are dying off, I think there is where the problem is coming from. IF not then the roo didn't bring the problem to you. I also worry about the auction stuff- people come in sell and disappear, so you wouldn't know if they had losses until it happens to yours. Do you know anyone who bought animals there?

I am so very sorry for you, it has to be like living in a war zone with casualties all over. It's so very weird that other animals are dying off too.

 

[dawg53]

You might also want to contact your county extension agent and they may help in some way as well. Sorry for your losses.

 

[perolane]

I ruled out coccidiosis simply because it presents as severe diarrhea....something not mentioned in regard to the calf, deer, & rabbit. Also diarrhea is not an issue with the chickens. It could be possible that their deaths are totally unrelated...or are they?? The Newcastles symptoms all fit as to the chickens....but as mentioned, this disease has been eradicated for over 30 years.

I called my former boss & friend at home last night...he's a pet/livestock vet....his recomendation is to call your state vet ASAP. We use Louisiana State University here, but you can start with any local vet as to where to contact the big guys. Please use extreme caution when handling the bodies...take extreme sanitary precautions...especially if you have children. It would be wise not to even allow children in the chicken yard until you find out what's going on....as few people as possible allowed into the infected area is best.

Please keep us posted.

 

[easttxchick]

While this is a different strain of Newcastles they are referring to-Newcastles has not been eradicated in this country-only that one particular outbreak. Apparently, an exotic strain of Newcastles was found in California in poultry as recently as 2002.
It could be anything-just please don't rule this out if it fits until you know exactly what you are dealing with as this can be transmitted to humans(only a VERY mild version of it).

http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/newcastle.html