More dead chickens 🤦🏼‍♀️

[Ada06]

Since mid July I have lost (on average) 1-3 chickens per month. The symptoms are typically the same- beginning with a lethargic chicken. They then progress into unbalanced chickens with drooping wings and poop all over their rears. The chickens then proceed to slowly die, typically after twisting their necks back and forth?
I have tried giving them fish mox (amoxicillin). It helps, until it doesn't.
I have another sick chicken, and honesty I just feel horrible for them! I have no clue what is happening. I am debating killing the whole flock of them.
My oldest hens (2-5 years old) have not died at all. It has only been chickens 1 year and younger. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[MysteryChicken]

@Eggcessive
@azygous

 

[azygous]

One certain way to find out what's killing your young birds is to send one to a state animal lab for a necropsy. Contact these people.


Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Constitution Hall, 6th Floor
525 W. Allegan Street
P.O. Box 30017
Lansing, MI 48909
800-292-3939

 

[Ada06]

One certain way to find out what's killing your young birds is to send one to a state animal lab for a necropsy. Contact these people.


Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Constitution Hall, 6th Floor
525 W. Allegan Street
P.O. Box 30017
Lansing, MI 48909
800-292-3939

I sent one in a few months ago..
It was a silkie. They said it died of a vaulted skull, which is a silkie trait. I'm not sure if I should pay to send another in or not.

 

[Iluveggers]

Are all of your chickens silkies? Did your first group come from a different place than the second? I wonder if there is some long-term health hereditary issues with group 2 if group 1 has not had any problems.

 

[Ada06]

Are all of your chickens silkies? Did your first group come from a different place than the second? I wonder if there is some long-term health hereditary issues with group 2 if group 1 has not had any problems.

The silkies are from 2 different places, one local the other from across the country. I also have a second flock of normal chickens, from various hatcheries and feed stores.

 

[Ada06]

I have another sick chicken, and it appears she is paralyzed. Could it be Mareks? All the chickens I have gotten from hatcheries have been vaccinated for it. But, they are the only regular chickens dying from it. The feed store chickens have no issues, and none have died....

 

[Ada06]

I made the unfortunate decision to put them down today
A family friend is coming to do it, because I couldn't bear to. I am going to super clean the coop, change the bedding in the run and coop, and take a bit to let the sun do it's work.
We are thinking about getting some cheap chicks from the feed store come fall to see if the disease is gone.

 

[cherrynberry]

I made the unfortunate decision to put them down today
A family friend is coming to do it, because I couldn't bear to. I am going to super clean the coop, change the bedding in the run and coop, and take a bit to let the sun do it's work.
We are thinking about getting some cheap chicks from the feed store come fall to see if the disease is gone.

If its Marek's, it wouldn't be "gone"

Are you going to send her in for a necropsy?

 

[Iluveggers]

I’m so sorry.