Our free range chickens die sometimes with the same symptoms. We don't know whats wrong.

[Sir-Mulch-A-Lot]

Hi guys,

we have around 140 chickens (Rhode Island Red and native philippine). They have a big free range area, with a big enough shelter (roof, some wind protection) on a deep bed of wood chips. Since the beginning we had chickens dying after having these symptoms:

- Sleepy looking (eyes slowly opening or closing)
- Not moving

Usually they die a couple of days later, no matter what we try in isolation.

Some other symptoms that we saw only with adults, who seem to take longer to die from this disease:

- Heavy breathing, gasping for air
- Limping
- When the limping gets worse they just stop moving, they look in pain if you lift them up, legs cant move anymore. The legs are stretched and moved to the back.
- Lack of appetite, not drinking enough or unable to walk to the feeder / water station.

Young chickens die from this within 2-4 days, adults survive probably 5-12 days.

We supply good quality food, give vitamins at least once a week and now we started to mix the water with: Oregano, Tumeric, Ginger, Cayenne, Black Pepper, Salt, Cinnamon and Apple Cidar Vinegar. The deep bedding is obviously not poop free, but it's dry since we add regularly new wood chips.

Please help.
Thanks

Edit: I've thought they had "Coccidiosis" but I never saw poop in the feces.

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

It sounds like it could possibly be Marek's disease (possibly)... However, I am defiantly not a vet. Here are a few links for you to check out so you can compare the symptoms:
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/mareks/index.aspx
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

(Video of chicken with Mareks)

 

[staceyj]

I think you meant to say that you haven't seen blood in their feces, correct?

You may want to research this because some of the symptoms/behaviors sound unfortunately like mareks disease could be present in your flock:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[Sir-Mulch-A-Lot]

Hi guys, thank you for pushing me into the right direction!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @Sir-Mulch-A-Lot Welcome To BYC

I'm very sorry to hear your having trouble.

I agree that is does sound like Marek's, but you still may want to investigate further. Do you have a vet that can perform a fecal float to rule out coccidiosis and worms?

Coccidiosis overload does not always present with blood in the feces. Symptoms include loose stool with mucous or blood, lethargy, not eating/drinking, huddled/fluffed up appearance and lack of balance.

Look at your bedding and check your feed for any signs of mold or fungus that might contribute to the symptoms you are seeing.


If you have any more that die, it would be a good idea to have some testing or a necropsy performed. Check with your local vet for any options available, local agricultural centers may be able to point you to who does testing in your area.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree that there could be a possibility of Mareks, so I would contact your state poultry lab to get a necropsy if you lose another. Coccidiosis could also be a problem, and the symptoms of lethargy, standing puffed up, weakness, poor feeding, and runny poops with mucus or some pink or red poop can be signs. Cocci is more common in flocks of different ages. Botulism, mold poisoning, and a vitamin or nutritional deficiency can be possible problems as well. Sorry that you are having problems.

 

[azygous]

Since your chickens live in a tropical environment, warm temps and moisture can contribute to any number of pathogens. To get the culprit identified in the quickest most efficient manner, take the next chicken that dies to an agricultural lab and have them do a necropsy. That should remove all the guesswork and you'll know precisely what is killing your flock.