Mystery Illness! PLEASE HELP!!

[Beacon Point Ratite Ranch]

I have a large brooder with about 13 young pullets in it in my house. They vary in age from 3 weeks to 2 months. They were all fine right along and have shown no signs of anything like splay leg or the like since hatching. However, last week, one of them suddenly seemed to be having difficulty walking. The next day, she was barely walking at all and her legs were spread wide when she sat. Then another bird showed the same signs. Then another. Then another. Now 2/3 of my pullets are like this. I have had a few birds get like this in the past and have been able to save them with sav-a-chick and force feeding chick mash with egg and egg shells in it, but that hasn't seemed to help this time. One of my favorite birds is one the verge of death right now. My nearest poultry vet is over 2 hours away and I lost my job, so I can't afford to take them there. I don't know where else to turn with this. Please help!

 

[Mvan42]

The 2 month Olds should be in a coop outside and they don't need heat. The two week ones still need heat. I feel that the age difference might be part because of different needs.

What are you feeding them? What type of bedding are you using? How big is the brooder? Pictures of your set up may help. How often are you cleaning the brooder?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Have you treated for Coccidiosis?
You can find Corid at stores like TSC.

What is the purpose of the crushed egg shells?

Dose for Liquid Corid is 2 teaspoons per gallon of water or Powdered Corid is 1 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of water. Give for 5-7 days as the only source of drinking water.
Don't add anything else to the water except for Corid.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Update: I took the egg shells out and adjusted the amount of corid in their water. I was using the instructions on the bottle, which is a much lower dose. They're also getting electrolytes, vitamins and probiotics in their water.

I'm also force feeding the worst chick some egg mash and she's actually sitting up right now! I honestly thought she was a goner!

Leave the electrolytes and vitamins out of the water when treating with Corid. Corid should be the only thing they are getting.

I'm glad you adjusted the dose, chicken dosing is different from cattle.

For the sickest one I would be inclined to oral drench her with undiluted liquid Corid at a rate of .10ml per pound of weight once a day for 3 days - this is in addition to her drinking the mixed Corid water throughout the day. She needs hydration, so syringe the Corid water into her several times a day as well. It won't hurt her.

 

[Eggcessive]

What do you feed them? Could there be mold in feed or old feed? I would be tempted to give them all a vitamin mineral supplement for poultry in food or water. If you lose another, save the body, wrap in trash bags, and keep the body cold in a cooler. Then contact your state poultry vet for a necropsy. Sorry for your loss. Here is a list of state poultry vets:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have been treating for coccidiosis. Last time I had a chick with these symptoms, that's what I did and the bird got better. But it doesn't seem to be helping this time and more birds are getting sick at a rate of 1- 2 a day. Just the ones in the brooder, though.

The eggshells are for strong bones. My dad used to raise chickens and he said they should always have eggshells or oyster shells available free choice. Didn't realize that didn't apply to chicks as well. That couldn't be what's causing this, could it?

Have you been giving electrolytes and vitamins along with the Corid?

How much egg shells are they consuming daily?

The eggshells probably won't hurt them, but personally I would leave those off until they come into lay. Your chick starter should have sufficient calcium for growing birds. With them having grit there shouldn't be a problem with them grinding up the shells in the gizzard.

Can you get some photos of their poop?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Well, we lost the worst chick. She passed overnight. The others are showing improvement now that they're getting a higher dose of Corid, so I think I have my answer. Hoping to not lose anymore. Still open to suggestions if anyone has anymore tips that might up their chances.

I'm sorry about the chick.

If the others are struggling, it won't hurt to give each one of them a direct oral dose once a day for 3 days as well. Watch to see if they are drinking the mixed Corid water. When birds don't feel well, a lot of times they don't drink much.

I hope you continue to see improvement, keep us posted.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

@aart @Eggcessive

I think It might sound like mareks, but I'm not sure how they'd be infected in a brooder

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Just wanted to mention, pine chips can be the cause of a lot of issues with animals in enclosed areas. Pine shavings have abietic acid, which when left in an enclosed space with animals can cause respiratory and liver failure. Exposure for long periods of time can cause death. It's often a myth spread around that pine and cedar chips are safe for use with birds, but birds are more susceptible then any other animal.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Really? I had no idea! What would be better for bedding, then?

I use Aspen chips. No fumes/side effects and very cheap.