Why are my meat birds dying? (GRAPHIC)

[piminuse]

They are in with the layer hens. So, instead of the layer hens not getting enough calcium, we feed them all the layer rations. Any suggestions?

You could switch to flock raiser and put an extra tray of oyster shell for your laying gals. Broilers need a lot of protein to help them get big for processing, so laying feed potentially pushes back your butcher date and therefore potential for more losses as these birds aren't designed to stick around for the long haul.

 

[christatothemax]

You could switch to flock raiser and put an extra tray of oyster shell for your laying gals. Broilers need a lot of protein to help them get big for processing, so laying feed potentially pushes back your butcher date and therefore potential for more losses as these birds aren't designed to stick around for the long haul.

Well the butcher date is what it is - it can't be moved. You have to make the appointment six weeks in advance. BUT! I do give them all oyster shells. They get butchered next weekend... so do you think changing the feed now will make a huge difference? They have one week left.

 

[LaFleche]

Looks like heart hypertrophy to me, also called round heart or globular heart.

 

[piminuse]

Well the butcher date is what it is - it can't be moved. You have to make the appointment six weeks in advance. BUT! I do give them all oyster shells. They get butchered next weekend... so do you think changing the feed now will make a huge difference? They have one week left.

This late in the game you probably won't see too much difference, and it could do more harm than good to suddenly switch feeds. Knowledge for next time!

 

[christatothemax]

Looks like heart hypertrophy to me, also called round heart or globular heart.

Hm... I looked up the yellow liquid and it talked about an enlarged heart too here: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/poultry/facts/13-063.htm I wonder if this is what happened?

 

[Isaac 0]

I have no prior experience with broilers, but the abdomen looks abnormally enlarged to me, and if you noted there being yellow liquid in the abdominal area, that may point towards ascites, which is quite common in broilers.

Here is some info on that,

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...itions-of-poultry/ascites-syndrome-in-poultry

If you do lose another bird, the best thing would be to send the body to your state veterinary necropsy lab. Most states tend to offer the procedure for a minimal fee. For more info, you can read this link,

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

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Mouth / throat.

Insides. It was FULL of this yellow liquid that didn't appear to come from me puncturing anything

They are in with the layer hens. So, instead of the layer hens not getting enough calcium, we feed them all the layer rations. Any suggestions?

I agree, they have Ascites.

You have fed them layer feed for how long? Options would be to feed an all flock/flock raiser type feed and provide oyster shell free choice for the laying hens. Chick starter or grower can also be fed.
Layer feed had too much calcium for young growing birds.

You mention that you thought they had a parasite in their throat, or worms, or something...were they showing respiratory distress? The fluid in the abdomen can cause those symptoms.

Might want to attach Graphic images for those who think their chicken comes from the supermarket. Good luck.

This is the ER forums, so quite normal LOL

 

[christatothemax]

I agree, they have Ascites.

You have fed them layer feed for how long? Options would be to feed an all flock/flock raiser type feed and provide oyster shell free choice for the laying hens. Chick starter or grower can also be fed.
Layer feed had too much calcium for young growing birds.

You mention that you thought they had a parasite in their throat, or worms, or something...were they showing respiratory distress? The fluid in the abdomen can cause those symptoms.

This is the ER forums, so quite normal LOL

I had them on the starter feed for the first three weeks, then switched to layer for the last two weeks, and next week is their last week until butcher. One of my mistakes was that when they were then tall enough to reach the hens feed I just stopped with the starter feed and made everything the layer/hens feed. So, with your advice... I'll switch to the flock raiser feed next time. I already make sure there is oyster shells in the coop for the hens, so at least I have that habit already.

Yeah, they made like a... barking sound sometimes. I'll see if I can record it and show you guys. It's not all the time, but when I looked it up it sounded like that may be a sign of a parasite in their throat. But, I didn't see a thing. I looked at every nook and cranny of their throat and saw nothing that looked out of the ordinary.

 

[416bigbore]

Not knowing the reason behind why these birds have been dying off, are they still going to be safe to eat?

 

[christatothemax]

Not knowing the reason behind why these birds have been dying off, are they still going to be safe to eat?

I looked up that very question when Wyorp Rock and Isaac 0 explained about the Ascites. Apparently, it's not an illness or disease, it's a condition. And it's perfectly safe to eat. Do you guys agree?