Sudden Death Syndrome on Steroids?

[Brad Brookins]

I had 49 8 week old Freedom Ranger meat birds in a free range paddock being fed an 18% ( I think) mash. Last night I found 3 dead. No sign of trauma though they were a bit flattened out. this morning I found one more hardly moving and breathing hard. Other birds were mounting and pecking him so I put him in a crate by himself with food and water. This afternoon he appeared to be fine. When I put him back with the others I found 3 more dead birds--2 flat on their backs and 1 on its side.

We had a huge and sudden storm on Sunday and the birds got caught out in the rain so their immune systems may have been stressed.

This sounds like Sudden Death Syndrome, from what I've been reading, but I haven't read of anyone else losing so many birds in so short a time. Anyone else had a similar experience or know of any other explanations.

Thanks for any help.

Brad

 

[linuxman]

It is happening in NY really bad, both this year and last. I think it is SDS, or just stress in general.

 

[Brad Brookins]

Thanks.

Two more birds died this afternoon. 8 out of 49 now.

We are having a nasty gnat outbreak right now that started yesterday. They are driving the birds crazy and probably adding to the stress levels.