Unknown Disease Killing My Flock

[HobboFarms]

I have a decent size bird farm, about 35-40. But in the last 3 weeks a new illness has started killing them. it has almost no symptoms and kills in hours to maybe a day. All the birds start acting lethargic(tired and sluggish) and they stop eating mostly. Then they start sleeping or laying down trying to and they die soon after. My guinea who has it has lost its ability to squack if that means anything. Two broilers both took a week to die and I had to had feed and water to keep them alive that long. My other 4 birds died in the same day there symptoms appeared. The only thing I can think of is kidney or liver failure but I don't know what would cause it. Thanks for an help you can give.

 

[townchicks]

Could be a toxin? Any new things added or applied to their area lately? I'd recommend sending the next one off for a necropsy for sure. What area are you in? You can check with your state lab to get one done.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Sorry for your loss.

Sounds like it could be coccidiosis... but maybe botulism or something else.

Where are you located?

Getting a necropsy could help to confirm cause of death and narrow down what issue you might be facing.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC, sorry for the circumstances. Provide your location, and perhaps someone can provide information on a facility near you that will conduct poultry necropsies/diagnosis. @casportpony - can you help ?

 

[HobboFarms]

I haven't added anything to their diet, they eat layer pellets and my open fields, I don't add vitamins unless their sick usually. there are tall stalky plants growing this year, the bottoms grow like spider legs and they have tiny pink flowers on top. but the chickens like them for cover, and my broilers were my first sick birds and they don't leave containment till they're older.

 

[HobboFarms]

New Hampshire

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Have you added new birds to your flock recently? Where did all of your birds come from? Are any of the birds dying, new birds? Do the birds show any signs of watery eyes, nasal drainage, or noisy breathing? Have any had problems walking or with a weak leg? If they are becoming tired, lying around, and stop eating, it might be coccidiosis. That can be treated by Corid added to the water for 5-7 days. Dosage is 2 tsp of Corid liquid per gallon of water, as the only source.

In hens over 2, they can suffer from reproductive and laying disorders. Worms can also be a problem in a large flock. The only sure way to get a diagnosis to see if it is something infectious, is to get a necropsy through your state vet and poultry lab. The body should be refrigerated promptly, not frozen, and taken or shipped to your state vet on ice packs. Here is a good link to contact yours:
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[EggSighted4Life]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures.799747/

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

I have dozens of so called toxic plants... only thing I would really worry about might be oleander...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a decent size bird farm, about 35-40. But in the last 3 weeks a new illness has started killing them. it has almost no symptoms and kills in hours to maybe a day. All the birds start acting lethargic(tired and sluggish) and they stop eating mostly. Then they start sleeping or laying down trying to and they die soon after. My guinea who has it has lost its ability to squack if that means anything. Two broilers both took a week to die and I had to had feed and water to keep them alive that long. My other 4 birds died in the same day there symptoms appeared. The only thing I can think of is kidney or liver failure but I don't know what would cause it. Thanks for an help you can give.

they eat layer pellets and my open fields

I'm sorry for your loss.

How old are these birds?

It would be hard to know the cause of death without testing/necropsy. Here is a link to your state lab : https://nhvdl.unh.edu/

 

[HobboFarms]

I bought broilers about 2 weeks before it started, and one of them was the first to die. but they had absolutely no contact with my other chickens or the area around them

also where can I get corid.
my guinea is usually afraid of me, but if im not chasing it itll stand in place and do nothing.
no its not oleander, I looked it up.