I don't have pictures, but I did see one in action so I'll do my best to explain symptoms.
My BFF bought 25 California whites from a local "breeder". Fairly recently they have been dropping like flies.
The first symptom is a droopy tail. Most of the birds have upright tails, but the ones who get sick have tails that point downward.
The second symptom is partial paralysis(?). One wing will droop and they will walk like a drunk, falling down and laying there for a while, not even caring if another birds steps on them. This gets worse as time passes.
Lastly she has been finding rubber eggs (no shells) which she thinks are from the sick birds. She has felt inside their vents and does not feel anything. Says poop looks normal. She has not autopsied the dead.
The Chickens usually last 3-6 days after first symptoms appear. Chickens started laying ~2 weeks ago (AGE). They die one or two at a time. None of her other chicken breeds who are older (1-2 years) have become sick so far.
Does this sound like anything to you guys?
I will post more info when I get it. Thanks!
UPDATE#1: Text from BFF: "Chickens have no respiratory distress symptoms, just beak gap. No gargling, no heavy breathing. Like they hold their mouth open funny, but not cocked back. Their crops are full and night and empty in morning. They are empty all the time the day or two before death, but it is because they don't leave the barn at that time. The partial paralysis has not been as prevalent with the last two deaths. We speculate it's a genetic variant, but don't know."
Chooks have been given probiotics and calcium. They eat layer feed with 18% protein and have access to grit and oyster shell as well as free range.
@BantyChooks @casportpony @rjohns39 @Sally Sunshine @Wickedchicken6
My BFF bought 25 California whites from a local "breeder". Fairly recently they have been dropping like flies.
The first symptom is a droopy tail. Most of the birds have upright tails, but the ones who get sick have tails that point downward.
The second symptom is partial paralysis(?). One wing will droop and they will walk like a drunk, falling down and laying there for a while, not even caring if another birds steps on them. This gets worse as time passes.
Lastly she has been finding rubber eggs (no shells) which she thinks are from the sick birds. She has felt inside their vents and does not feel anything. Says poop looks normal. She has not autopsied the dead.
The Chickens usually last 3-6 days after first symptoms appear. Chickens started laying ~2 weeks ago (AGE). They die one or two at a time. None of her other chicken breeds who are older (1-2 years) have become sick so far.
Does this sound like anything to you guys?
I will post more info when I get it. Thanks!
UPDATE#1: Text from BFF: "Chickens have no respiratory distress symptoms, just beak gap. No gargling, no heavy breathing. Like they hold their mouth open funny, but not cocked back. Their crops are full and night and empty in morning. They are empty all the time the day or two before death, but it is because they don't leave the barn at that time. The partial paralysis has not been as prevalent with the last two deaths. We speculate it's a genetic variant, but don't know."
Chooks have been given probiotics and calcium. They eat layer feed with 18% protein and have access to grit and oyster shell as well as free range.
@BantyChooks @casportpony @rjohns39 @Sally Sunshine @Wickedchicken6
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Does anyone know of a lab I could directly send it to instead of going through KSU?
