PLEASE HELP: I think I have to cull my whole flock!!!

[onafixedincome]

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Well, I'm with the poster who suggested that the affected birds be culled and necropsied by the state veterinarian to make sure the cause of the problem is known. That way, you can make an informed and intelligent decision on the pigs and the rabbits.

The rabbits--are they up in cages off the ground? Do the chickens have access to the rabbit area, perch on the cages? If so, I'd block them out ASAP and watch the rabbits closely for signs of respiratory illness, just to be safe.

Unfortunately, sometimes it is necessary to cull entire groups of animals when a disease strikes. It sucks! But if it's necessary, it's necessary...and if you want to restart with new stock later, it may make much more sense to cull, necropsy, clean, sterilize, and only then start over. Whether you intend to sell live stock or not, it really is the ethical thing to do if it is a contagious disease.

I would make sure that the rabbits and pigs are separated from each other and the chickens in future--just for safety's sake, although there's not a whole lot that they can pass back and forth, the ones they can are nasty.

Best of luck!

 

[hoog]

It turned out to be Infectous Coryza, so I went ahead and culled my 6 chicken flock along with the two turkeys. I was surprised at the emotoinal drain it had on me. I have killed half a dozen dogs protecting my birds without a second thought but it really sucked killing those birds. I think I am not going to buy anymore live birds from craigslist or auctions or anywhere else. I'll stick to hatching from an egg with my incubator.

 

[Break an Egg]

Sorry to hear that, it's hard, good luck with your fresh start.

 

[Wayne&Kim1963]

Tylan 200 cures this. 1/2 cc IM in breast or leg and you can give 1/2 to 1cc down throat. Chicken swallows it but medication tastes bad. I will put 3 cc of tylan 200 per gallon of water too and change every 24 hours. I will also give 1/2 cc of penicillin under skin of breast of those chickens real sick.
When I say Tylan IM and down throat at one time because asorbed at diffierent times and will make chicken have longer time with higher levels of antibiotics. Sick chickens make sure have food in crop. If don't I will take bread break it up and pour some milk on it and break an egg and take piece of moistened bread put towards back of chickens mouth and open his mouth for him and make sure his head is up and he will swallow some food. They cannot get well if no food. They may get this back can take up to 3 wks get everyone well. Some get it then get better get it back some has to cycle.

 

[Wayne&Kim1963]

I have rabbits up in coop with my chickens and that is silly to separate and near impossible if chickens are free range. Get everyone healthy and don't bring in new from sales or keep new ones separate till you know they are not sick. Illness has to be introduced from somewhere. Maybe someone was somewhere to have it on their shoes before they came and visited you. Bleach water does wonder to visitors shoes to keep disease from your animals. I take spray bottle and spray bottoms of shoes to keep illness down

 

[Wayne&Kim1963]

i hadn't seen post where you culled. That is ok. But you need to get water hose and wash your chicken house down. Clean it out totally and spray bleach watered down half and half all over to kill disease and then wash out all yucky with hose. WAsh WASH WASH. That is what i DO only buy hatching eggs. I learned about bringing in adults had to doctored 75 chickens over it with shots and teaches you lesson. You have big death loss is hard disease. I don't go to chicken sales nor do I let anyone come on place who does without getting shoes sprayed with chlorox water.

 

[schellie69]

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So sorry you had to go through this. I think you made the right choice. I only buy chicks now. I won't bring in a older bird again. I have been lucky so far that I have had no problems. But with all the post I have read i don't think I want to take the chance.

 

[Wayne&Kim1963]

You are very right. Don't take chance not worth it

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

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I am sorry - that is so heartbreaking.

Thank you for being so very responsible and caring for your flock.

 

[britsngrits]

Please keep in mind that most people are only giving advice and sharing their opinions. This past week 4 of my chicks came down with a respitory problem. They were sneezing, coughing and weezing. One of them I was sure would not last the night. She was laying down as she didn't have the strength to stand and she had her beak open just to breathe. I forced Duramycin-10 liquid down them. All four of the next morning were feeling better. Two days later they were flying around and eating/drinking just like normal. I'm glad I didn't cull them! There no longer any sign of illness. I treated the rest of the chicks just in case they developed it too. Unless I know exactly what the problem is ... ie something they must be killed over then I don't. I try antibiotic first.

That too, was just an opinion. I'm not a vet... what works for one person may not work for another.