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chickens are starting not to get up and eat as if they are losing control of the leg musles? They are hens and only one year old.
Optional Information: Type of Animal: chickens Gender: Male Age: 53 Name of Bird: americana's Already Tried: nothing have had high temps in the 90's and up so put a tarp on the pin roof for shade. have lost 2 chickens out of 50 and now 2 more are stating to do the same by not getting up, even though they look healthy.
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Hi, I am Dr M. Are you hens vaccinated against Marek's disease? Unfortunately, some of the signs described can be related to many different things ranging from infectious to nutritional. Heat stroke is a common problem in the summer, but usually, chicken are more lethargic and they may have an open mouth breathing. Have you had anything like this before (previous summers)? How are their stools? What age group is the one affected?
If you could give more information, I will try to assist you better. Thanks.
these hens are 1 year old americana's. I've been feeding them 16 to 20% egg layer formula. Clean hen house twice a week and fresh water daily and they have a fenced in area of about 30' X 60'.
Several of the hens do show the open mouth breathing and so I place a silver tarp 20x50 over top for shade everyone says they are spoiled ha ha. None of them have been vaccinated and have had chickens for about 7 years slowly getting more and bigger place for them to run. The only thing in the past simular was a hen or 2 hurting their foot and going downhill from there, so I removed the taller roost and it seem to help that one foot injury syndrum. This year I did stop also feeding scrach grains until today, stopped and picked up some to hand feed those 2 who where hungry and gave them water.
If this is caused by heat, you could try to take anyone showing signs and put them inside for few hours. If this the case, they will regain normality quite fast. Heat stroke can be an important problem. You should try to provide plenty of shade, ice water and fans, if possible. Open mouth breathing and lethargy are the common sign for it. There is usually an egg production, too.
tonight after getting home feed them some new scratch grains and water and both are cool to the touch. they can move their wings but the feet seem to be week. been in shaded area for over 24 hours
You can wait till tomorrow to better asses response. Mareks disease would actually cause inability to walk. Heat stroke can cause higher mortality if your chicken numbers have increased in the last years. Heat stroke tend to be very subtle with decrease in egg production and some mortality. Usually the heaviest may be in higher risk.
Experience: I have been practicing for 10 years. I work with exotic pets, dogs, cats, small ruminants, camelids and pigs.