http://agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/AnimalHealth/StateVets.htm
Search the above site for your state vet and call to ask where you can get a necropsy done (hopefully free) on the next bird that dies or on one that needs to be culled.
My guess is that you have two problems:
One is that several of your silkies have developed Crooked Neck (also called Wry Neck or Limber Neck) a condition that happens to silkies more than other breeds. The cause is said by some to be due to a deficiency in Vitamin E or Selenium or some such thing, others say that it is due to brain injury. Silkies have a hole in their skull that leaves their brain somewhat more susseptable to injury.
Some folks have had success treating the suspected deficiencies with supplements and others have had success treating the suspected brain swelling with steroids. Use the search feature to read up on both and then choose. I have had no success with either method and now just cull.
The other deaths could be caused by any of many different illnesses.
Young birds (under a year) that suddenly drop dead or that become partially paralyzed before dying, may be succumbing to Mareks disease. There is no cure or treatment and it is everywhere so the only way to avoid it is to have hatchery chicks vaccinated at hatch. Even one day later is too late to vaccinate. With Mareks I think that it is better to accept that there may be a few deaths and know that the survivors are genetically stronger and more resistant to Mareks. Everyone's birds are exposed to Mareks and most survive without showing any signs of the illness. Ive noticed that it is often the more rare breeds or the highly inbred breeds that have the most casualties.
There are also many other possibilities for those deaths, including botulism and jasmine poisoning. A necropsy is the only way to find out.
Search the forum and google, and do a lot of reading, start here:
http://www.msstate.edu/dept/poultry/diagext.htm
Dont give up.
Chel
Search the above site for your state vet and call to ask where you can get a necropsy done (hopefully free) on the next bird that dies or on one that needs to be culled.
My guess is that you have two problems:
One is that several of your silkies have developed Crooked Neck (also called Wry Neck or Limber Neck) a condition that happens to silkies more than other breeds. The cause is said by some to be due to a deficiency in Vitamin E or Selenium or some such thing, others say that it is due to brain injury. Silkies have a hole in their skull that leaves their brain somewhat more susseptable to injury.
Some folks have had success treating the suspected deficiencies with supplements and others have had success treating the suspected brain swelling with steroids. Use the search feature to read up on both and then choose. I have had no success with either method and now just cull.
The other deaths could be caused by any of many different illnesses.
Young birds (under a year) that suddenly drop dead or that become partially paralyzed before dying, may be succumbing to Mareks disease. There is no cure or treatment and it is everywhere so the only way to avoid it is to have hatchery chicks vaccinated at hatch. Even one day later is too late to vaccinate. With Mareks I think that it is better to accept that there may be a few deaths and know that the survivors are genetically stronger and more resistant to Mareks. Everyone's birds are exposed to Mareks and most survive without showing any signs of the illness. Ive noticed that it is often the more rare breeds or the highly inbred breeds that have the most casualties.
There are also many other possibilities for those deaths, including botulism and jasmine poisoning. A necropsy is the only way to find out.
Search the forum and google, and do a lot of reading, start here:
http://www.msstate.edu/dept/poultry/diagext.htm
Dont give up.
Chel
