Mysterious illness and death

[Angela Sirmans]

I’m hoping someone can shed some light on this for me. I’ve just started keeping chickens and game birds this year. I had 6 peafowl, 2 turkeys, 8 guineas, 3 silkies, a frizzle hen and a necked neck hen. I got them all at about a week old. They are about 6 months old now. They have always been together in the same pen. About a month or so ago I moved them to a new pen I built that is 40 ft x 75 ft. There is an old burn pile in the enclosure that we cleaned up before moving the birds in. About two weeks after moving them 4 of my peafowl died within 2 weeks of each other. They got very weak and was dead within a few hrs. I noticed the last one that died was very thin. I didn’t notice this on the other 3 but I didn’t really look. Now, one of my turkey hens is having the same symptoms; weak, thin. She is still eating and drinking. I first realized it yesterday because she was down and couldn’t get up on her own. I got her up and she has up since but is still weak. My other birds are still acting completely normal and are not thin. The only change I have made in their feed in the last month is adding a layer crumble. I’m hoping someone can give me some ideas as to what is going on. I wanted to add to my flock but not until I get this resolved. Thank you all so much!

 

[Angela Sirmans]

I forgot to add I noticed the turkey has some inflammation under her wings at the point of where the feathers emerge. I’ll try to get some pics.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Several clues are mentioned here...let's try to pull them apart.

1. 4 different species of poultry: Peafowl, Turkeys, Guineas, and Chickens
2. Illness presents: Thin, emaciated, weak birds
3. Death at 2-4 weeks after onset of mystery illness
4. New environment, with suspicious burn pile
5. Inflammation under living Turkey's wings
6. Chickens and Guineas seem unaffected

Point #1, there are some conditions that affect chickens but are not lethal to them. However, can infect and be lethal to Turkeys at a young age. Blackhead (caused by a parasite) is the most prevelant cause of death for young turkeys reared with chickens, guineas and pheasant. Not sure about peafowl.
Blackhead signs of infection begin to appear seven to 14 days after exposure. In turkeys, the yellow-colored fecal matter is the definitive symptom of Blackhead disease. Other symptoms: Lthargy, Drooping wings, Dry, ruffled feathers, Suppressed appetite, and increased thirst. Death usually occurs in one to three days.

Point# 2, seems to fit blackhead.

Point#3, seems to fit exposure to blackhead.

Point#4, it is probable that the parasite ova were in the soil of the new environment, since the turkeys and peafowl have were unaffected previous to the move. The suspicious burn pile, who knows what was burned? You cleaned it up, so, no issue with that.

Point#5, No thoughts at the moment. Except maybe mite irritation.

Point #6, Chickens are usually able to stop the disease before destruction of the ceca and degradation of the liver take place. Infections in chickens often are undiagnosed, though in chickens the impact of Blackhead has been described as being at least as severe as coccidiosis, and in some broiler breeder flocks, mortality may reach as high as 10% (McDougald, 2005). Bobwhite quail farmers have also occasionally experienced outbreaks of Blackhead disease, especially when these growers utilize old chicken houses. (attra.ncat.org), (Parasite Management for Natural and Organic Poultry: Blackhead in Turkeys), (Terrell Spencer NCAT Agriculture Specialist)

What to do?
There are no conventional treatments after infection has started. However, I did read a post about a someone who used an old natural remedy that was successful.

CAYENNE PEPPER was used to treat a turkey infected with black head, and the turkey survived! In fact all the poultry were given cayenne pepper in the feed with no ill affects.

The article was right here on BYC:
Hope This Saves A Turkey From Blackhead
Discussion in 'Turkeys' started by melanie, Feb 17, 2009.
www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hope-this-saves-a-turkey-from-blackhead.134230/

Well, these are my thoughts, I hope they are of some use to you.
God Bless you and your birds too!

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Hello Angela,

After further research, I found that apparently, peafowl are also very vulnerable to blackhead.

I would also try to feed the bird some herbal remedy that I make for ailing chickens.

I try to use herbal medicine when ever possible. Here is my recipe for Herbal Antibiotic and Immune System Support.

1 (760 mg) Capsule, Echinacea
1 (400 mg) Capsule, Golden Seal
1 teaspoon Hempseed Protein Powder (or other protein powder)
2 teaspoons warm water
1 teaspoon Agave Nectar, * optional

Dosage for chicken:
weight 5 lbs. = 1.25 mL, twice daily
May be given three times daily, 7 days, for severe symptoms: lack of appetite, diarrhea & lethargy.
Use for no more than 10 days.

I use this recipe on all my birds, even the dog and cats, and people too. It has saved many from falling into a frail condition. It will prevent and treat secondary infection, support immune system and provide a bit of nourishment with each dose. The herbs can be bought at Wal-Mart or any pharmacy that carries supplements.

The birds must get nourishment and water, if they are to have a chance of survival.

Praying for your babies!

 

[Angela Sirmans]

Thanks you so much for the wealth of information! I will give it a try!

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

You can actually repeat a 10 day treatment of the herbal remedy, as long as, you break for 2-3 days between. Also, keep refrigerated and make fresh batch every 24 hours.

I hope I am wrong about my thoughts, if not, I hope all goes well. You can have the cecal poop of the chickens and guineas tested for the parasite, if you want to be certain that is the problem. Most Vets will do the fecal float test for you at a low cost. I have them done here in town by my Vet at Loma Linda Animal Hospital, or U.C. Davis Animal Lab.