mystery illness: poor balance, weight loss, death.

[CapricornFarm]

Don't they just vaccinate for Merek's disease? You could try doing a search on here.

 

[Elite Silkies]

I'm pretty sure that the hatcheries do not vaccinate for cocci or MG, just Marek's.

 

[Trampledbygeese]

We have to pay extra for the cocci vaccine. We can get the standard one, or the standard + cocci. They tell us not to use medicated feed on them, otherwise the vaccine won't take. But I'm not fully up on what they do.

We get our chicks from Alberta (each of the two flocks from a different hatchery).

Edit: What's MG again?

 

[Elite Silkies]

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/94/mycoplasma-gallisepticum-infection-mg-chronic-respiratory-disease-chickens

This should explain it pretty good.

 

[Trampledbygeese]

Another dead hen tonight. This one had snot or goo all around her nose and mouth. It was really disgusting.

I'm going to put the symptom list on the OP and add beak smacking to it.

 

[Trampledbygeese]

Quote:
Thanks for the link. Much appreciated.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I am so sorry you are losing your birds. That sounds like a respiratory problem. Maybe Sulmet? Any opinions, folks?

 

[seminolewind]

Are they getting into something that could give them botulism? Or it really sounds like marek's, just went thru that with the same symptoms..

 

[PoultryPedia]

Fungal infections can cause respiratory & other problems, weakness & gradual starvation.
There is some treatment info listed at https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=560301 , but you'll need to search around if you want to find a more comprehensive list of symptoms.

 

[Trampledbygeese]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions so far.

I'm 95% certain they had their vaccine for Marek's back at the hatchery. Can they still catch it later in life? Only birds 1 and a half years old and older are getting sick (so far).

I was wondering if it was something in their environment or food, but now birds from all three flocks are showing signs... Then again, they all get their hen feed from the same source, as well as their bedding.

The Fungal infection seems to be the closest fit so far, especially since they aren't responding to the antibiotics. The birds are just starting to molt (unless that's another symptom) and the death toll is higher on hot days. Anything that can be done to confirm this diagnosis? Diagnose by treatment perhaps?

Also, I was wondering if I should worm them (since we aren't using their eggs until they get better) or if it would risk making them worse? Thoughts?

Thanks again for all your ideas. please keep them coming.