I have a small flock of RIR that are right around 3 months old. I noticed a few days ago that a few of them were walking strangely, an exaggerated high stepping unbalanced gait. THeir tails are down and they just look rather miserable. At first I thought that maybe they had contracted Mareks somehow but I am only seeing birds in that group showing signs of illness even though they are right next to a lot of other chickens in the coop. If it was Mareks I would think that there would be signs of it in the other chickens by now surely? They are eating well, pooping normally, no laboured breathing or any respiratory sypmtoms. THeir legs are weak and shaking and their balance is off. THeir eyes seem bright and their combs look normal to my inexperienced eyes. The one that is worst is looking pretty rough and his feathers are not sleek.
I have them on the same feed as all the other young ones who are asymptomatic and that is start and grow from Purina (non medicated) with kelp meal and diatomaceous earth added. I have electrolytes and vitamins added to their water. I have just cleaned out their section of the coop and replaced the old stinky shaving with fresh pine shavings. THe one area that I am now realising is probably the problem is the run. It is in the forest and with all the rain recently I had thrown hay on the ground to prevent the run from being a mudpit. I am guesing from what I have read on here that this is the source of the problem. I did not realise that hay moulds so quickly and that it is so toxic to my poor birds. NOT a good idea I am guessing
So, the question now is, what on earth do I do for my birds? I have separated the ones that are looking bad, I gave everybody kefir yesterday and they all gobbled it up as usual (for those who don't know it is 'similar' to yoghurt) I have moved them out of the coop and no-one is allowed outside until I have cleared the old hay out of the runs (huge job!)
Should I just give them time and try to keep them comfortable? Or is there something specific I can do to help them? Or is there nothing to be done and should I put them out of their misery? THere are no vets within a reasonable distance that will see birds esp chickens and I truly can't afford to pay that kind of money for my birds!
I have them on the same feed as all the other young ones who are asymptomatic and that is start and grow from Purina (non medicated) with kelp meal and diatomaceous earth added. I have electrolytes and vitamins added to their water. I have just cleaned out their section of the coop and replaced the old stinky shaving with fresh pine shavings. THe one area that I am now realising is probably the problem is the run. It is in the forest and with all the rain recently I had thrown hay on the ground to prevent the run from being a mudpit. I am guesing from what I have read on here that this is the source of the problem. I did not realise that hay moulds so quickly and that it is so toxic to my poor birds. NOT a good idea I am guessing
Should I just give them time and try to keep them comfortable? Or is there something specific I can do to help them? Or is there nothing to be done and should I put them out of their misery? THere are no vets within a reasonable distance that will see birds esp chickens and I truly can't afford to pay that kind of money for my birds!
