Why are my chickens dying?? Another one today

[seminolewind]

You will not see bloody stool with different strains of coccidiosis. Botulism can cause a limp neck. Are your chicks moved around on areas that have been treated with something? Bug or weed killer, fertilizer?

It's possible that it could be Marek's if your chicks are not immunized and have been exposed to other chickens who may be carriers. It would be the right age for them. I hope it's not.

 

[chickmchickie]

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Mcmurry on their site said you can still use it with organic birds it follows the organic stuff

 

[jamband]

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no they are on open grass that hasnt been sprayed or treated with anything to my knowledge ( def not in past year sine I bought it). Would Mareks kill one at a time with 5-6 days between? I do know a few farms had issues with it last year.

 

[jamband]

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The drugs or the vaccine? it seems from what I can find the vaccines may be ok. but the drugs too? do you have a link?

 

[seminolewind]

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no they are on open grass that hasnt been sprayed or treated with anything to my knowledge ( def not in past year sine I bought it). Would Mareks kill one at a time with 5-6 days between? I do know a few farms had issues with it last year.

Yes, six of mine just died about a week apart from eachother.

 

[jamband]

ok I have another sick one I think. she is just sitting in the corner not moving much. one eye looks like she cant open it and there is a lump by her eye/beak.


does this help. I really dont want to keep burying my hens.


Thanks

 

[spook]

Yes, there seems to be no rhyme or reason to Mareks. If you want to know for sure, then cull one and send to your testing lab in your state. I can only talk about my birds, but I have found in conversations with other chicken folks that its being spread by wild birds, or at least our type of Mareks.
Only speaking as a hobbyist, from what I've come to understand is that if you inoculate your chicks, it may not be the type of Mareks that is being spread in your area. If its not the same virus, then you have just brought in another type of Mareks that may harm your existing flock. Not only that, but the Mareks vaccine that is available to us is the type that they inoculate for poultry growing. (This is only what I've read).

Even if its Mareks, I'd go with Sulmet or Corid until you see them need to be culled or drop dead. In this case, antibiotics may be one way to rule out coccidiosis. The type we seem to have of Cocci is the type that puff & hump up. Although I have had a Cornish X with cocci. I wonder if some of these disease's aren't being brought in on our shavings. imo.

Good luck, seems like you have had some great advice so far!

 

[seminolewind]

I'm really sorry. I know how you feel. If it is Marek's, you can only wait it out. I've lost one a week since they were 8 weeks. Now they are 14 weeks, and every day they beat it, means the closer they get to immunity. It's really sad.

 

[seminolewind]

Spook, I hear that they are now making vaccines for Marek's for several strains -for an all in one. I hope so.

 

[spook]

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I hope so too.