Silkie thread!

[aoxa]

I just remembered, I read that Mareks incubation period is 4-12 weeks, so if my friend's chickens just came 3 weeks ago, that wouldn't be enough time for mareks to incubate.  correct?  and the silkies started showing symptoms only about 1 1/2 weeks after the new silkies.

Upon further examination, the silkie and the LF chicken neither has anythign weird going on with their eyes. they look good.  neither are sneezing or anything.  they both look good, I don't see mites or lice on either of them.  the LF one does have some pecking on her back above her tail feathers, but that could be from Queen who mounts the chickens.  I don't know.

The silkie has an empty crop.  The one that just died also always had an empty crop, and got thin.  this silikie is also getting thin and apparently isn't eating.  would worms cause this??  I'm grasping at straws here.  I'll be heading to the feed store this morning and I just am not sure what to get them.

Mareks takes a long time to show it's effects. I don't think that is what this is.

The symptoms sound like an overload of internal parasites to me. Some type of worm. I would get a faecal test done before deworming these birds though. No need to administer drugs if it is not needed.

Also - our agriculture department does free narcopsies. Maybe that is something to consider? You do have recently deceased birds you could submit for testing.

 

[sheeshshe]

I called around and there is barely anyone in my state that even does necropsies. I called the university state one and she gave me all the names that she knew of that might do it.

so would they stop eating altogether if they had internal parasites? I could do a fecal thing. I don't know if the vet I'm thinking of would do one without an appt and I dont' think they do chickens, just birds in general.

You wouldn't just give them wormer? I've seen it recommended to give yearly or whatnot for a regimine.

 

[sheeshshe]

I searched necropsy here and it didnt come up with anything significant http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/index.shtml

 

[aoxa]

I called around and there is barely anyone in my state that even does necropsies.  I called the university state one and she gave me all the names that she knew of that might do it.  

so would they stop eating altogether if they had internal parasites?  I could do a fecal thing.  I don't know if the vet I'm thinking of would do one without an appt and I dont' think they do chickens, just birds in general.  

You wouldn't just give them wormer? I've seen it recommended to give yearly or whatnot for a regimine.

In my opinion, if they are properly cared for - they should not have an overload of worms.

high loads of internal parasites are just not a normal part of backyard flocks. If they are becoming so, it could be because people are creating "super worms" by constantly and needlessly deworming their flocks.

Super worms are created when worms survive the chemical dewormers and then breed more worms that can survive. Many flock keepers will then switch dewormers to kill the surviving worms, which leaves the survivors of THAT dewormer. Now you have worms that can and will survive two dewormer chemicals... and it goes on and on. Sort of the same way we get lethal e.coli and other pathogens that do not respond to antibiotics... because of the overuse of antibiotics in the human population creates germs that are survivors of anything that comes down the pike.

I believe in keeping a healthy gut by feeding birds ACV and pumpkins.

Just my two cents.

 

[sheeshshe]

I didn't give them ACV and I didn't know about the pumpkins I've had my older ones for 3 1/2 years without any problems. I did give them a wormer once because they were acting a little funny and someone recommended it. but other than that, I haven't needed to do anything.

 

[aoxa]

I didn't give them ACV and I didn't know about the pumpkins  I've had my older ones for 3 1/2 years without any problems.  I did give them a wormer once because they were acting a little funny and someone recommended it.  but other than that, I haven't needed to do anything.

I went and got a ton of free pumpkins after thanksgiving. They get them often. They love them now, last year they weren't big fans.

I'm not saying what you've done was wrong. I hope it didn't seem that way. I just think a lot of people needlessly worm their birds way too often.

Garlic is also one that helps control parasites.

Have you checked for leg mites as well? Those can make them anaemic as well - and are very easily treated.

 

[sheeshshe]

No, I didn't look for leg mites. Off to google what that looks like. It sounds like it is something parasitic the more I look into it. Becuse their combs are so pale etc. they must be anemic. I'm spemnding my entire morning trying to figure this out. poor chickies

 

[Suzierd]

I searched necropsy here and it didnt come up with anything significant  http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/index.shtml

Check here
http://umaine.edu/veterinarylab/

 

[aoxa]

No, I didn't look for leg mites.  Off to google what that looks like.  It sounds like it is something parasitic the more I look into it.  Becuse their combs are so pale etc.  they must be anemic.  I'm spemnding my entire morning trying to figure this out.  poor chickies

Their legs will look crusty.

Though since they are so young, this may not be the case at all.

I do think it's either parasitic, or something to do with eating spoiled feed or something they got into.

Do they go through your compost pile?

 

[sheeshshe]

Check here
http://umaine.edu/veterinarylab/

I called them yesterday. they're way up north. she gave me some numbers of people who 'might' be able to help me. But, my kids already buried the chickens. I could dig them up if I really needed to. But I'm going to look into this whole parasite thing first.