Sick birds this spring.

[MNKris]

Quote:
Darlene -
I was freaked at first too, but I don't think it is as bad as some make it sound. You can vaccinate, but you do it in the 6-8 week old range, and most backyarders don't vaccinate. Egg production will only fall for a few weeks and if they are exposed, it is a good thing if they are breeders because they will pass the immunity on after the 3-4 week infectious time frame. Humans are not carriers, it chickens co-mingle while infected, they can pass it. Only very young chicks show symptoms. Most birds are actually "infected" that you get from hatcheries, but they have the antibodies needed to protect them from sickness. Just keep them separated, like you should normally do with birds from different sources, until they are 6-8 weeks old.

 

[darlinclem]

Quote:
Darlene -
I was freaked at first too, but I don't think it is as bad as some make it sound. You can vaccinate, but you do it in the 6-8 week old range, and most backyarders don't vaccinate. Egg production will only fall for a few weeks and if they are exposed, it is a good thing if they are breeders because they will pass the immunity on after the 3-4 week infectious time frame. Humans are not carriers, it chickens co-mingle while infected, they can pass it. Only very young chicks show symptoms. Most birds are actually "infected" that you get from hatcheries, but they have the antibodies needed to protect them from sickness. Just keep them separated, like you should normally do with birds from different sources, until they are 6-8 weeks old.

Okay, so are you saying that exposure doesn't mean infection? Or will the vaccination keep them from passing it on and stop a possible decrease in egg production? One note I read said something about not needing to vaccinate the whole flock because they will pass on the vaccine? Huh? Also, I think on this forum, someone said vacinating at 10-16 weeks. If it is 6-8 I would be much happier! If you aren't talking about vaccine, does that mean ones exposed won't pass it on if they don't die from it or that all exposed who didn't get it (die) will be immune? Sorry, I am a bit brain fried today!

Anyone know anything about the vaccine? How is it administered? What is it? Where do we get it (I have a great vet who will order if I know what I need).

Thank you so much!
Darlene

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

darlinclem I would suggest you contact your state Agriculture office and request testing. They would be best to advise you on who to test. Please understand that I have been through this with AI and I know you don't want to loose all these chicks right now but it might be best. If you have this disease on your property and it continues for years/generations you will have way more losses than if you cull just these chicks now. It's a really tough blow I know.

 

[MNKris]

Exposure doesn't necessarily mean symptoms. Most birds over 6 weeks of age do not show symptoms at all. The only way you are going to see symptoms is in younger birds, like 10-14 days old, maybe a little older, other than the decrease in egg production like you stated. You aren't going to have paresis, tremors, etc. like in young chicks.

AE is everywhere, but it rarely outbreaks because most hatchery birds are vaccinated for the illness before they start laying in the spring and many backyard flocks have natural immunity passed from generation to generation. However, if a hatchery has a new breeder flock that isn't vaccinated or the vaccination was bad or administered improperly, then we have the potential to get adult birds that can be infected. During a window of time, like 3-4 weeks the infection is passed to the egg through the hen and chicks get sick. After the 3-4 week window, the hen becomes immune and passes immunity onto egg and chick does not get sick. You want your hens to pass the antibodies down. It virtually eliminates the sick chick problem. From what our vet said, we are likely eating eggs from chickens that have been exposed to AE or at least have the antibodies to fight off AE. Many of the eggs you buy in the store are likely from chickens that have been exposed to AE. It does nothing to hurt humans.

 

[KathyAnn]

I am having my chicks tested tomorrow by the state vet. I'll know in 3 days if I hve the AE virus.

I thought there were 3 confirmed cases

Chickencrazy
brett
mnkris

am I wrong?


my chicks were delivered to me 3/l0 /08

5 dead 7 sick, 7 are going to be tested tomorrow. So far the rest are ok, total of 36 chicks were on my order form, 3 freebees.

I just wanted to make sure for the sake of my adults and 30 other new ones that are in the same area as my MM chicks, and peace ofmind.

I'll post here and on the othe forum when I have my results.

 

[thunder123]

Hi, Im new here I have new chicks from McMurray and two I have taken inside with leg problems. They are three weeks old. One last thursday just fell out and could not stand. ON friday another one looked drunk as a skunk. I have been on call many hours of the day and night with the two. One the legs are useless I have to pick it up to eat or drink, Two is still drunk as a skunk, but makes it's way to water and feed. I called McMurray today for help. I will get credit, but my chicks need help. I had them vaccinated for MERICKS. Customer service say's I'm doing everything right,but I'm tired...I have sick chicks and he said I might have to make a choice???soon...How do I do that?

Belinda

 

[RedTailRanch]

Belinda, there are a lot of us in the same boat as you. All I can say is you have to do what YOU feel is right. I can't bring myself to cull my poor little chicks. As long as they want to hang on, I will try and let them.

I know that everyone's choice will be different, based on why they have the chicks, if they have other chickens on the farm, and how badly the affected chicks are. So...get as much information as you can and make the best decision that you can.

In empathy,

Chris in Spokane

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

Belinda contact your state Agriculture office (or the CFIA if your in Canada) as AE is reportable disease. They should provide you with testing and advise.

When to cull for any reason is a very hard choice. Get the most information and the laws for your area right from the source.

 

[darlinclem]

Quote:
I've mentioned that I am brain fried these days? <g>

I have chicks. Some are from MM. All of my chicks are currently in their brooding room (away from my main flock). I lost chicks that were from MM but I honestly think it was from it being seriously cold when they were shipped (and our post office really doesn't care).

If the chicks were exposed, and that is the reason I lost so many (9 out of 19 but none had the symptoms mentioned), will the others build up an immunity? Will they pass it on when they grow up? Can they still die from it (all will be 2-3 weeks old as of Tuesday/tomorrow)? Should I figure out some way to test some of my chicks to make sure they don't/didn't have AE? That is where I am confused. Would vaccinating them once they are 6-8 weeks old fix it all?

I have a call into our local Ag person but haven't gotten a call back yet. I live in cattle country and chickens are not something anyone around here worries about or even thinks of having and outbreak except for Avian Flu.

Darlene (really trying to get a grasp on this)

 

[darlinclem]

Quote:
I am trying to contact. Made a call to the person I was told was the local Ag person (for our disctrict I think). I don't know if he will know anything without talking to his superiors. As I have mentioned, this is cattle country. They really don't take us small chicken flock people seriously that I have heard. Our local vet hadn't heard anything on the issue and gave me the name and number to call. Hopefully I will hear back tomorrow (Tuesday).

I have been putting the litter on my strawberry patch. How long is the virus viable? I do allow my chickens to free range in the evenings but haven't in the last week or so (they are taking too much of a like to my flower beds right now).

Thank you!
Darlene