Silkie thread!

[Suzierd]

Wasting can be a sign of Mareks or other illnesses. The absolute only way to determine whether a bird has or had Mareks is by autopsy. Vets can not diagnose by symptoms and there is no blood test. They have to examne tissues for tumors.
Try find out who your state vet is by a google search. That vet should be able to guide you provide guidance on where you can get a necropsy. If you dont have any luck, call your regular vet and ask them. If you still can't get any help, the try your local county cooperative extension office and ask for your poultry specialist. Please let us know how you make out.
Best wishes,
Tina

X2
Please let us know what you find out.

 

[Suzierd]

Sheeshshe sorry if I missed this but have you checked them close for mites, lice mainly around vent area? Some mites attack at night check the coop on roost and nest boxes after dark. Have they been wormed?

 

[sheeshshe]

No, I haven't wormed them in a long time. And I haven't checked for mites or lice. I can go out and check in a bit.

 

[Suzierd]

No, I haven't wormed them in a long time.  And I haven't checked for mites or lice.  I can go out and check in a bit.

If you decide to worm-
Valbazen is the best wormer kills all kinds of worms. It's safer by slowly starving the worms so no blockage of dead worms. Dose is 1/4 cc for Silkie 1/2 cc standard size chicken. Dose again in 10 days. Don't eat the eggs for two weeks after last dose.

 

[sheeshshe]

called around, not really getting anywhere yet. I'll go and chick them all over and see if I can find something going on. Not sure if I should treat for worms as a precaution or treat with an antibiotic as a precaution or do nothing?? IDK!

 

[sheeshshe]

I don't see any lice or mites. I tried looking on a few chickens and in various places, neck back, as close to the bum as I could, I didnt get real good there, she didn't like that much! should I look again?

 

[sheeshshe]

Ok, my blue silkie who is acting a little off is very light feeling as well. sigh. this means she's going to die too.

 

[ChicksNherps]

Ok, my blue silkie who is acting a little off is very light feeling as well. sigh. this means she's going to die too.

Are your friends birds acting strange? They may have been carrying something that they were immune to but your flock wasn't. Are your birds young? Marek's normally takes young birds, but there are also other things they could have. This might help: http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/ahi/vet.htm

email or call and ask if they can come out and do a blood test on your birds, or if they know where you can get a necropsy done.

Here's another: http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/ahi/diseases/avianflu.html

 

[sheeshshe]

That is the thing, my friend's birds are acting 100% fine. I was wondering that though if they could carry something but be immune. The silkies are about 20 weeks maybe. the other chickens which are LF were hatched in march.

 

[ChicksNherps]

That is the thing, my friend's birds are acting 100% fine. I was wondering that though if they could carry something but be immune. The silkies are about 20 weeks maybe. the other chickens which are LF were hatched in march.

That's most likely it. See if your state vet will send someone out to do blood tests on your birds and an autopsy on your deceased ones