Mereks disease deaths. New chicks on the way out.

[jurrasiccluck]

Hi. I'm here to ask weather or not I can add 4 Easter eggers to my flock that's been suffering some losses from Marek's disease over the summer 9 in total. I don't know what to do, I've tried helping them but some drop in weight so fast that it's too late. Some don't have problems and most of them have diarrhea? Is that common? They don't get paralyzed from the disease but just drop in weight. When we started losing birds I was at my dad's house and my mom called me and said that we were losing birds. At the time we had just got the baby chicks he got me for my birthday and I couldn't think of what to do. They are roughly 9 weeks old and I have 6 guineas and 4 Easter eggers from cackle hatchery. Outside I'm about to lose a young rooster from whatever they have and it's stressing me out so much I'm afraid to put these little chicks out there. Please answer immediately if you can anyone.

 

[Zoechicken]

have you asked advise from a vet?

 

[Abriana]

Welcome to BYC!
Do not put the little chicks out there. Mareks is highly contagious and the chicks will get it and die as well, if that is what it is. Can you tell in more detail about how they are dying and their symptoms before death? Is it possible to leave the new chicks with somebody else for a while? They can probably still getting even in the house. If you go in the chicken pen where Mareks is present and get it on your clothes, and then come in and hold the chicks, they can get it too. It is best to leave the chicks with someone who does not have chickens. Even someone in town can take them. I had a friend who raised some chicks in her bathtub. If you leave them with someone who has chickens, theirs could get Mareks as well. Hopefully this is not Mareks, put please wait to put the chicks out! Good luck!

 

[rebrascora]

How do you know it is Marek's? Losing weight and diarrhoea could be coccidiosis or even worms although I don't think worms will kill so many so quickly. Have you tried treating them for coccidiosis? I would have expected you to see paralysis in at least some of them if you have lost 9 to Marek's.

 

[Abriana]

@KikisGirls

 

[coach723]

I would not add any birds to your flock until you figure out what you are losing them too.
If you lose your rooster I suggest you get a necropsy done to find out why. Once you know what it is you are losing so many birds to then you can make informed decisions on how to move forward.
Here are some resources for necropsy, and you can call your local dept. of agriculture and ask them. The body needs to be refrigerated, not frozen.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm
I'm sorry for your losses.

 

[jurrasiccluck]

Well they would act normal for about two weeks quickly decline in weight they would be pushed around by the other birds eat slowly and walk wobbly until they collapse and die. The poop runs down their feathers as a white cream almost.

 

[rebrascora]

Have you considered that coccidiosis might be killing them and tried treating them with Corid?
There doesn't have to be bloody poop for it to be coccidiosis. If they don't respond to Corid then you really need to consider having a necropsy done to find out what is killing them, before you add new birds.

 

[jurrasiccluck]

Well even if I could get a necropsy done I can't the rooster disappeared yesterday without a trace. He was walking around that morning too.

 

[Abriana]

Maybe a hawk saw he was easy prey. I'm sorry!