Need suggestions on how to keep my Meat Birds alive

[dancingbear]

There was another thread here on BYC that said apple cider vinegar prevents coccidiosis, you put it in the water.
This won't help this batch, but McMurray offers vaccination of the chicks for both Marek's and coccidiosis, 10 per chick, per vaccination. It may be worth it for you to have them vaccinated next time. I don't know if other hatcheries offer this, or if the vaccine is available to purchase for home use.

 

[spook]

Aparently this year people that don't even allow their chicks on the ground are coming up with cocci. I know I've had problems.
Sometimes you cannot go on the calendar days for meat birds, you have to go with their symptoms. I wanted to keep mine 10 more days, but signs were coughing and wheezing.
They are not always sick, but in this case, I had 2 birds with anurysms and if they had died, not to eat, but catching it that close is not something we can all do (not that I was the ONLY one, because most folks work and do not spend time with them-and only have 6 birds)
But if you think its cocci, it probably is. Sulmet is one thing I've used but this can also cause a false positive of blood- someone more qualified should explain that!)
Good luck any how, lets hope you can keep them going, but keep in mind that most people do have losses with their meat birds.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Lone, I'm almost starting to question the Meyers Cornish X.

We've lost 7 of 20 in two weeks. Our's are the same age as your's.
It doesn't appear to be Cocci. They just drop dead. Some losses are
expected but not 30%. On the other hand the 25 fryers I got from Meyers
are healthy as can be and the batch of Colored Range Broilers (Freedom
Rangers) were equally healthy.

I lost 1/3 of the broad breasted turkeys I got from Meyers too. Several
people have told me that is a normal thing.

Just to be clear, I'm not bashing Meyers. They are still a favorite hatchery
of mine.

 

[LoneCowboy]

I have medicated. What I use only requires 5 days to get out of their system. But I lost another today.

Is coughing and sneezing a symtom of cocci or what? I didn't understand that.

The problem I have is that I'm at the mercy of the processors calendar and the withdrawal time from the meds. So they go to the processor on the 12th. Hope I have some left to take.

I've tried to get the vaccination for them, but it wasn't available when I ordered. They don't do it all year.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Thanks PC that might be something to think about. I didn't lose this many from the batch I got from Ideal. I'm trying all the different hatcheries to find the ones I like best. I've not had much of a problem with Meyer. Well, some of mine are just dropping dead too. Even after medication. The death rate slows when I medicate, but it doesn't stop.