URGENT!! Broilers not thriving

[Wyorp Rock]

I dont think I was neurological, I think they were simply struggling to breathe, they’d gasp for air and stretch their necks out, and thrash around like they were choking.
I know it’s common for large poultry producers to give antibiotics, or it was until recently, but that was for the life of the bird and it was found to increase productivity something like 20-30%, but many producers recommend giving it as a supplement for the first two weeks to help give chicks a good start, which always seemed to me like a good idea given that they have a pretty traumatic first day, and they’re messy little things that like to poop in their food.

So in my search to find answers I did a lot of reading and it seems likely that they had infectious bronchitis that they probably picked up at the hatchery because according to the Merck vet manual it has an incubation period of 3-5 days, and a mortality rate of 60% or more in chicks. It also said that there are many different strains which don’t affect all species, which would explain my healthy poults. Recommended treatment is increased heat, electrolytes, and antibiotics to control secondary infection, especially E. coli.

As I understand it, Infectious Bronchitis is only found in chickens. There is a different "strain" found in Quail.
The struggling to breath with outstretched neck ("pump handle respiration"?) sounds like ILT (Infectious Laryngotracheitis) ILT is found in chickens and pheasants.

Most respiratory diseases, generally speaking there should have been more symptoms that accompanied the gasping - watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, facial swelling, rales, etc.

I do know there are several strains of IB, but it is not a disease that I would normally associate with a high mortality rate. You have a loss rate of 80% if my math is correct.
It would be a very good idea to contact the hatchery and if you lose another one send it to be tested so you know for sure what you were dealing with.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps039
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul.../overview-of-infectious-bronchitis-in-poultry
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...ew-of-infectious-laryngotracheitis-in-poultry

 

[Eggcessive]

I would raise the heat lamp to at least 18 inches above the chicks’ head, and turn one off or remove it. A red heat lamp should be enough to keep them warm inside the house. A cheap thermometer on the floor would be helpful to keep a constant temperature.

 

[blackandtan]

I raised the heat lamps, everyone seems comfortable now, I have a thermometer but they love to sleep on it so it’s not totally accurate
They definitely had rales, it sounded like....I don’t know, walking on bubble wrap? It was so loud for such little creatures, I felt awful for them. I necropsied one and found lots of bubbly mucus in the trachea, lungs were pale and possibly had lesions but it’s so hard to tell without a decent microscope. Called the feed store (where I purchased from) and they’ll reorder or refund the chicks and will follow up with the hatchery too.
Thanks everyone for all the help and suggestions, it’s so nice to know that there are like minded folks out there who can listen and sympathize, most people just say “ no big deal, just buy more chickens at the grocery store”, but BYC’ers get it - THANKS!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Glad to hear the rest are doing o.k.

 

[Birdinhand]

your set up is nice but I'd add more space for for 25-30 chicks. by spreading them out they get less stressed and it seems to reduce bacterial blooms by keeping the droppings less concentrated. I also like a good 6" of litter, this gives them enough to turn it over and burry their droppings, also helping to keep the bacteria levels down. I'd take some chlorine spray and wipe everything down real good before adding new ones so you don't end up spreading the same disease to the new ones. it's unfortunate to see a big die off but it does happen sometimes.