Spreading Respiratory Disease & Coop Cleaning

[762]

One thing I didn’t mention is that all the ones that I have put down lately are Wyandottes…two a year and some change old, and the other one we hatched in May. We have a couple Orpingtons and 5 barred rock no symptoms yet.

 

[coach723]

I would ask the lab. If the head was intact, then they might take it despite being separated.
Honestly, the upside down thing is not really that bad. Sick birds just kind of go to sleep. I walk them slowly to the place, talking calmly to them. Usually telling them how much they were loved, cared about, and what a good bird they are, thanking them for everything, all the eggs, etc. Makes ME feel a little better anyway. Slowly turn them upside down, everything slow and deliberate and calm. If something is off, just start over, take your time. Wait until they are calm (they don't usually get real worked up), and just proceed. It is usually fairly undramatic. Make sure the blades are positioned correctly, do it, and walk away if needed and breathe. I have never messed one up this way. I'm not going to say it's pleasant to do, but it's far better than some of the other ways. And early on I did have some screw ups doing it other ways, and it was horribly upsetting. Honestly, the best way to do it, is the way you are personally comfortable with.

I only have one Wyandotte left, lost all my others to Marek's. I have one old roo left that has never shown symptoms. My brahma's also seemed very susceptible to Marek's, have only one hen left.

 

[762]

Got two more this morning, one being our beautiful black split Orpington, who won’t come out of the coop. I feel like by the time I get any results back it will be too late to save them. We listened very carefully for any wheezing yesterday afternoon and there was none. Now two are wheezing heavily.

Anyone reading this learn from my mistake of not getting one tested immediately, no matter what’s going on in your life. When I had sick ones before I had them necropsied the next day. We are up to our ears in family turmoil coming from many directions, and when these birds got sick last weekend, I couldn’t think clearly and just disposed of them (honestly I thought it didn’t matter anyway…that they were all going to die). Well, if you do nothing that certainly will be the case. Can’t go back in time!

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry that you are dealing with all of this. Hope things get better with the chickens and family problems. Let us know if you get any results.

 

[ChickyMudder]

Can you come back and share what it was?