mareks?

[lorihadams]

I have chicks that I got from a local swap from a popular breeder around here and all of a sudden I have one that is flopping around and cannot walk. I have made sure it is eating and drinking but it has been going on for several days according to my husband. He didn't isolate the chick when it first developed . If it is Mareks then is the rest of my brood doomed? When I got home from out of town today I isolated the chick and got online. Do I just need to put it down humanely or what? I cleaned out all of the shavings in the brooder pen and tried to get as much out as possible (it is on the ground outside) I then put a fresh layer of shavings down and gave fresh water and food. I also elevated their water off of the shavings to try to cut down on the moisture issues (we have also had torrential rains lately). What do I do now?

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
The incubation period is longer than what you're saying.

First, what exactly are they eating? And how old are they? Second, you really must dry up their area. Young birds are particularly susceptible to fungi issues, coccidiosis, and must have a completely dry brooder really. Bad news I know - but it's true. This could be coccidiosis, could be something nutritional, could be toxins from wet (humidity or otherwise) feed, feed that spilled into the shavings, etc. Could you give us a million details? Dropping types and consistencies?

I would also treat all your birds with probiotics, a non-medicinal source of living bacteria to help their guts to resist whatever will come from the wet conditions. A little yogurt is the easiest. Probios powder (in the feed) or acidophilis capsules/tablets' powder on the feed are the best way.

Also consider at least giving them vitamins/minerals in the water, or nutri drench for poultry, until we can get to the bottom of this mystery.

It might even be that the baby came with something wrong, but there's too little information right now so helping us flesh the information out will help us better help you.

A good starting place (in addition to the above questions) would be to answer the questions from the second sticky post in this forum - but answering them into this thread, please.

Also please tell us how warm the chicks are being kept, and if this baby is having issues with spraddle leg, or if you have seen him eat/drink. I would at least make sure he gets a little water (preferably with vitamins) and wetted crumbles (taken up after 10 minutes) and/or egg yolk (boiled/wetted slightly) in his system.

 

[lorihadams]

I am feeding them Dumor chick starter.

My husband says he noticed the chick unable to walk and though it had a problem with its leg. They are several weeks old ( I am guessing about 4-5 weeks old) I am feeding them twice daily and they are free ranging as well. I have a broody hen with a baby about two weeks older than them and she usually keeps a sharp eye out over them as well.

I have isolated the chick into a tractor and made sure that it has eaten and had water this afternoon. It is much drier in the tractor.

The house that we are using as a brooder is our duck house. Our ducks arrive this week and we were going to keep them inside under a lamp for about two weeks before integrating the chicks in with the rest of the flock. They are doing well together since we started them free ranging 2 weeks ago. On average they are spending 2-6 hours a day free ranging. We have gradually increased their ranging time cause they have gotten so big lately and seem to enjoy chasing the bugs so much.

They have not gotten any supplimentation as far as diet goes but I was thinking of giving them some apple cider vinegar in their water and a yogurt treat this week.

I don't know if I should try to treat it or put it down.

They do not have a heat lamp in the brooder but there are vents on all four sides. The pen's roof is at a peak so the vent goes from about 2 inches to 8 inches in the middle at the highest point. We do not close them up during the day, only at night. There is a baby gate on the front of the pen door when they are not free ranging so there is constant air flow. It is in the shade for 75% of the day.

Do you need anything else? I am just frustrated!

 

[threehorses]

I would treat for a vitamin deficiency and make sure he is eating. Check him to make sure he's not light. You might have to keep him apart for a couple of days. If you have the polyvisol baby (human) non-iron vitamins, I'd give him a drop of that but mostly concentrate on the food - making sure he eats. If he's fully feathered, temps shouldn't be a problem unless it gets rather cold there at night.

Is he doing the splits? Or just tumbling? Are his toes at all curled? By the way put a buddy in with him to encourage him to eat.