NEED HELP......ASAP (sick rooster, not mine) UPDATE as of 5/24

[mmajw]

I would make sure that she cleans out the coop and dusts the area and the hens and I might even try doing him a little. It is worth a shot to try and get rid of them before they kill him.

 

[Guitartists]

I'm probably wrong..... but isn't "drunken chicken" sometimes a first sign of Marecks? I thought I read the other day in someone's post that it can start out that way.

 

[dlhunicorn]

you rarely see Mareks in an older bird.
I do not think terramycin is going to help this bird ( in fact , in his weakened condition the possibility exists that it may make things worse)

he has mites and lice really, really bad. You could see them crawling all over the place. I don't think he has been eating much either he is super thin.

This is the number one problem (and I suspect he also has worms) ... the combination of those two will kill a bird. Also if they do not get the opportunity to free range and she is giving only layer ration, then this will dmaage his kidneys.

IMHO the only way you could save this bird is to bathe him in a kitten flea shampoo bath... then use ivomec Eprinex (which will get most mites and lice and is a broad spectrum wormer all in one) and keep him in a separate cage with clean shavings until he is totally recovered and change his diet to a grower and no layer ration... chick starter mash (unmedicated) might be better for him at this time as it has a higher protein content.​

 

[Guitartists]

Thanks for that info..... Where do you get ivomec Eprinex? I asked my farm supply store for something to worm chickens and they all looked at me like I was daft!

 

[hencackle]

Possible Lymphoid Leukosis?

Lymphoid Leukosis

Characteristically, lymphoid leukosis is a disease of adult chickens; however, the disease appears to be increasing in importance for turkeys and game birds. Although the virus of lymphoid leukosis can produce various responses (blood, bone, lymph), the lymphoid tumor response is the most common.

The disease is transmitted in a variety of ways. The causative viral agent is passed out of the body of infected birds via eggs and feces. The virus may be transmitted mechanically from infected birds to susceptibles by blood-sucking parasites or by man in such procedures as fowl pox vaccination.

Lymphoid leukosis characteristically produces lymphoid tumors, particularly in the liver and spleen. The tumors may also affect other visceral organs such as ovary and lungs. Affected birds may die without preliminary symptoms, but the disease usually is chronic in nature and affected birds show loss of appetite, progressive emaciation and diarrhea. Clinically affected birds invariably die. Losses due to the disease are most severe shortly after onset of egg production, but losses will continue for as long as the flock is retained. Total loss may approach twenty percent during the life of a flock.

Clinical diagnosis of lymphoid leukosis is based upon flock history and disease manifestations. The lymphoid disease cannot be readily distinguished from the visceral response to Marek's disease; however, there are some features that aid in differential diagnosis.

There is no treatment for lymphoid leukosis. Although the disease cannot be prevented completely, there are certain steps that can be taken to help control the level of infection within a flock. Some steps are:

* Buy resistant strains of birds since genetic resistance is a deterrent,
* Brood in isolation and do not mix birds of different ages, especially through six weeks of age,
* Keep the incubator clean and disinfected,
* Control blood-sucking parasites,
* Good care, limiting stress, and adequate ration will be of benefit.​

 

[dlhunicorn]

it is not "approved" for use on poultry... here is an article on it...please use ONLY this product and the spot-on method of application (it is not cheap but a little goes a long way). You may have to order it online:
http://shilala.homestead.com/ivomec.html

 

[dlhunicorn]

Quote:

This bird does not free range and has probably only been fed a layer ration, never wormed and is crawling with lice and mites.
I think worms and lice and possibly too much calcium are the culprits of the birds illness here.

 

[tiffanyh]

Yes...ivomec him. I give .1cc IM, but you can give it oral also. It takes care of external and internal parisites. If he has lice and mites, good change he has others. I would worm him ASAP>

You can get it online, it is made for cattle, comes in a suspension. But with this situation at hand, you amy want to check a local feed store. I am going to assume it is not cheap because most of it comes in large vials since it is made for cattle. This way you can get everything in one shot. Otherwise you may have trouble getting "traditional" or more natural wormers (like DE) into him and they may not get a change to work before it is too late.

With you lived closer, Id share mine.

Oh, worm everyone, obviously.........

 

[dlhunicorn]

I suggest the spot on application as then you know it is getting the amount needed to be effective (which may not happen with the water spplication

 

[Poison Ivy]

Do you know anyone who owns cattle? If so you might be able to get a little from them. It runs about $50 here and it's a large bottle. I wish they made a smaller bottle. I end up sharing mine with friends. Any feed store or tractor supply will have it if they carry cattle products. You might have to ask for it my store keeps it locked up behind the front counter. If she won't pay the price let me know and I can mail you out a little in a bottle. It should only take a day or two since your in GA. Just PM me your addy and let me know.