The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

Beautiful birds, @aoxa Thanks for posting!

Thanks

Anyone care to help a customer of mine out with a problem?

Quote: I don't think it's Marek's since it came on so fast. Any idea what else it could be or some tips?

 

[Kassaundra]

Thanks

Anyone care to help a customer of mine out with a problem?

I don't think it's Marek's since it came on so fast. Any idea what else it could be or some tips?

Maybe botulism

 

[aoxa]

Maybe botulism

Thank you Kass. I just sent her the page on it. Sounds more likely to me.. especially since it has come on and gone down hill so fast.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Also - possibly got into something poison. If they range, is it possible a neighbor sprayed any insecticide or pesticide? What about rat/mouse poison? Sometimes folks will put out poison peanuts/pellets to get rid of gophers, chipmnuks, etc.

 

[Kassaundra]

Thank you Kass. I just sent her the page on it. Sounds more likely to me.. especially since it has come on and gone down hill so fast.

Your welcome, I agree.

 

[lalaland]

Beautiful birds, @aoxa Thanks for posting!

x2. I'm always drooling over your birds.
ps: love the bottle of pinot in the pic too

 

[aoxa]

Also - possibly got into something poison. If they range, is it possible a neighbor sprayed any insecticide or pesticide? What about rat/mouse poison? Sometimes folks will put out poison peanuts/pellets to get rid of gophers, chipmnuks, etc.

That could be something as well

x2. I'm always drooling over your birds.
ps: love the bottle of pinot in the pic too

Some lovely customer welcomed us into her home for a BBQ and sent us packing with 8 bottles of wine, and 2 bars of home-made soap. I am bringing her 3 hens for that She was so awesome!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
@aoxa Could you link the page on botulism that you sent?

 

[aoxa]

@aoxa Could you link the page on botulism that you sent?

Botulism


Introduction

A condition of chickens, turkeys, ducks and other waterfowl occurring worldwide and caused by a bacterial toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum mainly types A / C. The toxin is produced in decaying animal (usually carcases) and plant waste, and toxin-containing material (pond-mud, carcases, maggots) is consumed by the birds. Toxin may also be produced by the bacteria in the caecum. Morbidity is usually low but mortality is high. The toxin and bacterial spores are relatively stable and may survive for some time in the environment. It has also been suggested that poultry carcases lost in litter can be a cause of botulism in cattle grazing land or consuming silage where poultry litter has been spread.
Signs

• Nervous signs, weakness, progressive flaccid paralysis of legs, wings then neck, then sudden death.
• Affected broilers tend to settle with eyes closed when not disturbed.
• A soiled beak, because it rests on the litter, is also quite typical.

Post-mortem lesions

• Possibly no significant lesions.
• Mild enteritis if has been affected for some time.
• Feathers may be easily pulled (chicken only).
• Maggots or putrid ingesta may be found in the crop.

Diagnosis

History, signs, mouse toxicology on serum or extract of intestinal contents. Differentiate from acute Marek's disease ('Floppy Broiler Syndrome') by histology of the brain.
Treatment

Remove source of toxin, supportive treatment if justifiable, antibiotics, selenium.
Prevention

Preventing access to toxin, suspect food and stagnant ponds, especially in hot weather. The single most important measure is careful pick-up and removal of all dead birds on a daily basis. This will reduce the risk of botulism both in the poultry and in any grazing animals on land where poultry litter is spread.
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/19/botulism

 

[Scott H]

I set up the game cam in the coop to see if Tina ever got off the nest....woke up to see her running around with the girls.