Hello and Help

[JSusan]

Howdy everyone.
I am new to this board but not to chickens. We raise Cornish X broilers using the Salatin method of chicken tractors that are moved daily and things have been going very well up to the last 8 weeks.
I am banging my head against the wall trying to figure out what's going on and any help or thoughts that y'all may have would be so appreciated.

Suddenly I am experencing a high mortality rate starting at about the second week. The chicks don't gain weight as they should. When I process those that have come to size (in 10-12 weeks instead of the standard 7 1/2 to 8 ), I find lesions or tumors inside the birds. Some tumors are bright yellow and seem to almost be 'free floating' in the birds. Others have attached to the lungs/hearts and are covered with a fatty layer but are also yellow and flexible. Just a few birds also have developed a problem with their eyes which become swollen and filled with pus.

We have meticuolously cleaned all our brooders between flocks and scrubbed and sanitized waterers and feeders. I am at a total loss as to what I am seeing. Our feed hasn't changed. If anyone has experience with this or any suggestions, I would be so grateful for your thoughts.
Thanks.

[Pathfinders]

Have you taken any of these birds to be posted? You should probably get in touch with

http://gallus.tamu.edu/extension.htm

and get them to look at one or two. I think I'd do it sooner rather than later.

[tbone]

well hello hope you are able to fix your problem....

[gregrag]

It sure sounds serious--while you are awaiting autoposy which I surely hope you have professionally done at an animal clinic or university--go to Rojo's Roost website--he has many post mortem pictures on there from where he has autopsied birds after dying from various diseases---thats 'Rojo's Roost" I don't believe you have to use the dot com after it.... hope this helps-good luck in conquering the problem---Greg :sad:

[poultrycrazy]

I'm sorry to hear about your birds! Have you been feeding them medicated chick starter? because the first thing that came to my mind was coccidiosis. and also, where are the tumors located? I'll keep thinking about what might be the problem and use my trusty chicken health handbook... may be I can figure it out.

Best of luck to you!

[threehorses]

I agree, particularly because these are broilers, to get the birds tested. If you continue to raise birds there you'll need to know what exactly to fight and exactly what methods of disinfection to employ.

Would you please let the board know when you find out so we can all learn?

To take my shot at it, yellow free floating tumors sound alot like fatty tumors which are usually benign. Too much fat in the broilers' diet can, however, be problematic. Particularly around the heart.

Mareks and leukosis should be ruled out as they both result in tumors. Incubation period for Marek's can be as early as 2-4 weeks. This would be spread via dander and is a herpes virus and thus doesn't die with normal bacterial disinfecting protocols. Vaccination is designed to help reduce symptoms, but will not be effective against heavy exposure to the virus.

I'd particularly recommend testing (and have the tester tell you everything ruled out and why) because of the suggestion of a contagious respiratory disease as evidenced by the eyes' swelling and purulence. There are many diseases, including some that are vertically (through the egg) transmitted, that will be of great importance to you if you wish to make a success of your poultry production. It could impact who your supplier of eggs are or whether you should continue with any of your own line.

[robin416]

I've read several posts this year about problems with early death in these birds. I wonder if there is a problem from the source.

[threehorses]

I've read several posts this year about problems with early death in these birds. I wonder if there is a problem from the source.

I have heard of a couple, too. Hmmm