I had had a horrible day. I found two of my little 5.5 week old Cream Legbar cockerels paralyzed this morning. One was able to move some but the other could not. I removed them but could not get them to eat or drink. I did some research and a guy who bought cream legbars from the approximate same hatch date as mine posted that one of his arrived sick and the other became sick the following week. I was in a panic about Marek's so I took both of them for euthanasia and necropsy at UC Davis. I just got the preliminary report back and there is no evidence of Mareks or anything else that would cause paralysis. They suspect riboflavin deficiency. These guys have been on Purina Medicated Chick Starter since I got them, in fact from the same 50# bag. I am just devastated and wonder if I could have saved them had I known more about what was wrong.
Here are the findings:
No significant gross lesions were found at postmortem. Given the clinical signs the most likely cause would be riboflavin (vitamin B2) deficiency, however at this time this is just a presumption. Unfortunately we cannot check for vitamin B2 in tissue samples. If no other cause for the leg paresis is found after all of our testing is completed, and riboflavin deficiency is still suspect, Vitamin B supplementation would be recommended. We could also try to find a lab that could test feed for riboflavin levels but there would definitely be a fee charged by any outside lab for this testing. Histology and several diagnostic tests are underway to try to better characterize the problem. An updated report will follow. I just got the report. Does anyone have experience with this? How do I supplement and how much? Right now I am just going to add some vitamin and electrolyte solution to the drinking water because I have it on hand.
Mary, get the liquid baby vitamin, Poly-vi-Sol. Just be sure to get the one without iron. You can get it at any Walgreens type store and most grocery stores in the baby section. Just put a drop on their beak twice a day. Just let them drink it in naturally, rather than put it in their mouth (chance of making them aspirate). I've had weak chicks turn around completely within a day or two.
I had had a horrible day. I found two of my little 5.5 week old Cream Legbar cockerels paralyzed this morning. One was able to move some but the other could not. I removed them but could not get them to eat or drink. I did some research and a guy who bought cream legbars from the approximate same hatch date as mine posted that one of his arrived sick and the other became sick the following week. I was in a panic about Marek's so I took both of them for euthanasia and necropsy at UC Davis. I just got the preliminary report back and there is no evidence of Mareks or anything else that would cause paralysis. They suspect riboflavin deficiency. These guys have been on Purina Medicated Chick Starter since I got them, in fact from the same 50# bag. I am just devastated and wonder if I could have saved them had I known more about what was wrong.
Here are the findings:
No significant gross lesions were found at postmortem. Given the clinical signs the most likely cause would be riboflavin (vitamin B2) deficiency, however at this time this is just a presumption. Unfortunately we cannot check for vitamin B2 in tissue samples. If no other cause for the leg paresis is found after all of our testing is completed, and riboflavin deficiency is still suspect, Vitamin B supplementation would be recommended. We could also try to find a lab that could test feed for riboflavin levels but there would definitely be a fee charged by any outside lab for this testing. Histology and several diagnostic tests are underway to try to better characterize the problem. An updated report will follow. I just got the report. Does anyone have experience with this? How do I supplement and how much? Right now I am just going to add some vitamin and electrolyte solution to the drinking water because I have it on hand.
Mary, This isn't at all your fault. I don't have any answers in regards to supplementing, but, have you passed this info on to Purina? There could be a problem with that lot, or it could be something they will research/fund research for.
Baby drop vitamins without iron from a dropper. Give them one drop twice a day. I would then start them on a vitamin that goes into the water after a day or two. TSC Sells a brand like that. It is very yellow and smells yeasty so it has a lot of b vitamins in it.
Also, get them something like king feed natural not soy starter. I figure you get to Sacramento sometimes? At a week old you can give them Big Ole Bird too. Medicated feed is not supposed to harm them any more but it has in the past so there may have been too much in it.
Given the cost of the Legbars, I would have the Purina tested. If it is deficient, they should pay for the loss.
Well, I have my first eggs of the year in the cooker!! 24 dozen plus an 18 pack of leftover turkey eggs that somehow slipped in under the bottom tray..
Just when I thought this day could not get any worse it did.
This morning Michael and I made the tough decision to return Rodney to his foster mom. She said we could give him a try and if it didn't work out she would always take him back. The adoption agreement stipulates that we cannot do anything with him but return him to them. Michael called his foster Mom today to let her know that we did not feel it was safe to have him here around grandson who has special needs. Rodney does not like him at all, biting, barking and snarling continuously. She was upset about us returning him and feels we didn't give it a good enough try. Cameron isn't willing to do what he needs to do to try to get Rodney's approval and we can't force him. That violates our agreement with the state who has custody of him. It is in everyone's best interest that he go back to the rescue. She was very angry with Michael on the phone but said she would call and make arrangements to pick him up tomorrow.
Tonight I got a call from Tucker's foster mom saying that she talked to Rodney's foster mom and they decided we were not fit to have animals. They are coming tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. to take both dogs away from us. I love little Rodney but I agree this is not the right home for him. Tucker is another story. He gets along well with our grandson and I think the bond is therapeutic. But right now it is all about me. I love Tucker. He loves me. Michael loves him and he loves Michael. I can't take a step that he isn't beside me. I cannot imagine having to give him up. I have been sobbing for hours (sorry about the phone call Kelly). I read the adoption agreement and we have not violated any of the terms. I documented all that. I pulled out all the receipts for expenses related to Tucker and it totals $1375.00. They required that we purchase a crate, bedding, fencing, etc. We did all of that to conform to the agreement. Also he was supposed to be up to date on worming, heartworm, and vaccinations. They called after two weeks to say he was due for everything. The vet bill was $175.00. But this is not about the money.
This is a witch hunt by fanatics. We are good people who would never harm this little guy. Quite the opposite, I cannot imagine my life without him. I know it sounds ridiculous but it is true.
I have never asked this before, but if you are inclined to do so please keep us in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow. I am going to try to find an attorney in the morning to help me. I plan to go into hiding tomorrow with Tucker until the pick-up is over. I am not surrendering my dog. Not until a judge tells me I have to. I'll go to jail first.
I'm hoping for a good hatch Dar... I will need more pens by the end of the summer to keep breeds separate.. I'm super excited about the chocolate ameraucanas I got from Chookschick..can't wait to see what hatches!!
Just when I thought this day could not get any worse it did.
This is a witch hunt by fanatics. We are good people who would never harm this little guy. Quite the opposite, I cannot imagine my life without him. I know it sounds ridiculous but it is true.
I have never asked this before, but if you are inclined to do so please keep us in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow. I am going to try to find an attorney in the morning to help me. I plan to go into hiding tomorrow with Tucker until the pick-up is over. I am not surrendering my dog. Not until a judge tells me I have to. I'll go to jail first.
