Puzzled...is something going on with Mt Healthy chicks?

[coop-er]

I bought 5 chicks from Mt Healthy and one by one they are falling ill. Weak, disoriented, stumbling and general confusion. This looks like a neurological disorder. I am in my 4 th year with my backyard chickens and keep a flock of 15-20. Every chick I have purchased with the exception of these 5 have come from Meyer Hatchery and all of them have been healthy and good producers. This Spring (April) I purchased these 5 birds (3 Cuckoo Marans and 2 Silver laced Wyandottes) they were all fine as babies but as they get older they are exhibiting these symptoms and die. Today bird #3 is ill and I only have 2 remaining, they are 13 wks old. The rest of my flock (14 others) are fine. Only the Mt Healthy birds are dying. Does anyone know what this may be or had a similar experience with birds from a specific hatchery? I would appreciate any input, as I would like to save my remaining young birds. Thank you for the help

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm sorry to hear that.


If they don't have coccidia or marek's (any vaccinations?) it could just be poor genetics. I've never had more then one or two chicks die from shipping, and it was always with-in a day or two. However, I have never gotten from Mt. Healthy.

Best of luck!

 

[Eggcessive]

I would send a refrigerated body into the state vet for a necropsy to find a cause of death. In some states it is free, in others there is a cost. Were these birds or your others vaccinated for Mareks disease? Having Mareks in the environment would make it necessary for any newer chicks to be vaccinated. What were the ages of the birds that died? Here is a link to find your state vet:
http://www.usaha.org/Portals/6/StateAnimalHealthOfficials.pdf

 

[coop-er]

All of my birds are vaccinated for Mareks ( including the sick ones) as for coccidiosis, I am not sure. However only the Mt Healthy birds are ill- the first died at about 8 wks, the next at about 10 wks and this one today is 13 weeks. I have a small flock in a 100sq ft coop with 150 sq ft attached run. It is all very clean and sanitary. The birds are really more like pets so I don't think it is environmental. I will check with the state though, thanks so much for the help.

 

[GitaBooks]

I hope this helps: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

 

[aurinia]

I am starting to wonder the same thing. Over the last 2 weeks I've lost 2 12-week old pullets and as of this morning a 3rd is showing the same signs you describe. Half of my birds are from a friend, the other half are from our local feed store via either Ideal or Mt Healthy. So far only the feed store birds are getting sick. I called them today to see which hatchery mine came from....every one is from Mt Healthy. Just seems very coincidental to me. I realize it could be Marek's, however, this is my first flock, I have no older birds, there haven't been any livestock on my property for at least the last 50 years so they really haven't had much chance to get exposed to anything, so I don't know. If my little partridge rock dies, I'm going to see about sending her for a necropsy.

 

[GitaBooks]

I am starting to wonder the same thing. Over the last 2 weeks I've lost 2 12-week old pullets and as of this morning a 3rd is showing the same signs you describe. Half of my birds are from a friend, the other half are from our local feed store via either Ideal or Mt Healthy. So far only the feed store birds are getting sick. I called them today to see which hatchery mine came from....every one is from Mt Healthy.

Just seems very coincidental to me. I realize it could be Marek's, however, this is my first flock, I have no older birds, there haven't been any livestock on my property for at least the last 50 years so they really haven't had much chance to get exposed to anything, so I don't know. If my little partridge rock dies, I'm going to see about sending her for a necropsy.

From what I have heard birds don't show marek's before 3 weeks of age. could it be cocidia?

 

[aurinia]

From what I have heard birds don't show marek's before 3 weeks of age. could it be cocidia?

No, I don't think so. And they were already 12 weeks old (the partridge rock is 10 weeks)and had been treated for cocci over a month ago. It's so sad...all the ones that are dying or getting sick are my kids favorites. Very frustrating!

 

[GitaBooks]

No, I don't think so. And they were already 12 weeks old (the partridge rock is 10 weeks)and had been treated for cocci over a month ago. It's so sad...all the ones that are dying or getting sick are my kids favorites. Very frustrating!

I'm sorry to hear that.

 

[aurinia]

@coop-er, how is your pullet doing?