Please help

[Morganlynn]

Hi all and thank you in advance for your help here. I have had 5 roughly 5 month old chickens die in the last 2 ish months. First one showed no symptoms, just found it dead. Next one acted hurt, horrible balance, couldn’t use legs well but again, no injuries. Died a few days later. Third one similar but had some head bruising so I thought maybe it was attacked. Died after 2 days. Today I found one dead with no symptoms and another not using its legs again and unable to stand but seemingly alert. Not dead yet but not holding my breath. In the days before death, I tried vitamins, egg yolk, etc. It’s worth nothing I have a flock of about 15, the adults are totally fine and have a mom and 3 month old babies that are perfectly fine. I immediately suspected Maerks but they die so quickly from what I read online it doesn’t usually happen that fast. My other rule outs are botulism, toxin, and vitamin deficiency I guess? Can anyone provide any insight at all?? Thank you so much in advance.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi, and welcome to BYC!

So sorry about your losses!

Are you raising these in the same place you've raised other chicks? If you're sure it's not a vitamin deficiency, then this sounds like something environmental. Something around these that wasn't around your others? Different food or bedding?

Are the legs jutting out in different directions or just weak or limp?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi all and thank you in advance for your help here. I have had 5 roughly 5 month old chickens die in the last 2 ish months. First one showed no symptoms, just found it dead. Next one acted hurt, horrible balance, couldn’t use legs well but again, no injuries. Died a few days later. Third one similar but had some head bruising so I thought maybe it was attacked. Died after 2 days. Today I found one dead with no symptoms and another not using its legs again and unable to stand but seemingly alert. Not dead yet but not holding my breath. In the days before death, I tried vitamins, egg yolk, etc. It’s worth nothing I have a flock of about 15, the adults are totally fine and have a mom and 3 month old babies that are perfectly fine. I immediately suspected Maerks but they die so quickly from what I read online it doesn’t usually happen that fast. My other rule outs are botulism, toxin, and vitamin deficiency I guess? Can anyone provide any insight at all?? Thank you so much in advance.

Welcome To BYC

Can you post photos of the birds, their poop and housing?
What do you feed, including treats?