The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[curious chickee]

I have a 12 week old rhodebar, discovered today that it is having trouble walking, no other symptoms. Ate when I brought it food. So much info on here about so many diseases. Last month, I lost 2 silkies (12 weeks old) who Became lethargic and after a few days on passed away, the other I culled as it wasn't getting better just listless passed on. All these birds I got as chicks from the same breeder. I have 2 other silkies same age as first silkies healthy. Trying to find best solution as I have many bantam chicks in separate area. All eat FF.

 

[curious chickee]

Mostly stumbling around

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mostly stumbling around

I'm assuming you are talking about your chicken.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have a 12 week old rhodebar, discovered today that it is having trouble walking, no other symptoms. Ate when I brought it food. So much info on here about so many diseases. Last month, I lost 2 silkies (12 weeks old) who Became lethargic and after a few days on passed away, the other I culled as it wasn't getting better just listless passed on. All these birds I got as chicks from the same breeder. I have 2 other silkies same age as first silkies healthy. Trying to find best solution as I have many bantam chicks in separate area. All eat FF.

My thoughts would be Marecks and potentially botulism.

 

[curious chickee]

So should I vaccinate all the chicks about 75 of them or is their a better way

 

[lalaland]

curious chickee, there are a ton of things that look like mareks. Read this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq


If it is mareks, and you will only know by a confirmed vet diagnosis - it is too late to vacinate. Your flock is exposed unless you have separate quarters, separate by a minimum of 100 feet, and have practiced incredible biosecurity.

Take an ill chicken or a dead chick to your university vet pathology lab - your local vet can make the arrangements, or you can. sometimes cheaper if you do it yourself. body has to be kept cool, ec. that way they will do a necropsy and confirm whether it is or isn't mareks. silkies seem more prone to mareks, but that is just my thoughts based on reading, and I could be wrong.

It also could be a vitamin deficiency - you might want to look into that. just search vitamin deficiency here on byc.

personally, I would start them on a vitamin supplement - avail at your local feed store, asap. just in case.....couldn't hurt and might help. Also, try feeding beef or chicken liver - easier to slice if it is frozen. tiny shreds or tidbits is what you are looking for.

Keep us posted, and also consider posting in the emergency forum for fast responses. Like all responses on the internet, you have to use your own judgement.

 

[curious chickee]

How,while alive, can I know the difference between botulism and Marek. We have gone from rainy to hot and I know the FF did have an off smell one time when back slopping. I rinsed it out and continued so I guess it is possible for an bacterial infection. I would prefer not vaccinating if possible. Only want to vaccinate if it is mareks.

 

[curious chickee]

The chicks are in garage and house so separate. I will start the flock on vitamins.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How,while alive, can I know the difference between botulism and Marek. We have gone from rainy to hot and I know the FF did have an off smell one time when back slopping. I rinsed it out and continued so I guess it is possible for an bacterial infection. I would prefer not vaccinating if possible. Only want to vaccinate if it is mareks.

Botulism symptoms are fatigue, weakness, ruffled feathers, diarrhea, and sudden death. Neurological symptoms include floppy neck and limbs, shaking limbs and stumbling.

Causes are eating rotten or spoiled foods or some bugs like maggots that have been feeding on infected foods.

Mareks tend to start by affecting the legs while the rest of the bird is alert for a few weeks.

 

[curious chickee]

Thanks, I will watch the symptoms