Okay. A little background on my flock.
I started it last year with chicks from TSC and a couple of local feed stores. They're all doing great (the ones that survived dog/raccoon/snake attacks, that is) and are laying very well.
We have adopted and rescued a few chickens from people moving, etc. All have been healthy and well feathered. Some were lost to coon attacks, dogs, etc. Currently there are 12 hens and 4 roosters (Two bantams, one Dominique, one big red and black rooster).
We had a group of chicks come at the end of March that are from Murray McMurray that are doing fantastic.
But they didn't have Speckled Sussex chicks for any of the dates that I wanted to order.. in fact they were pretty much out before the beginning of this year.
So I searched other hatcheries, prices, etc. And found Meyer Hatchery.
I couldn't contain my excitement. I ordered 8 Speckled Sussex, 2 White top blue polish, 3 cochins, 3 Mille Fleur bantams, and 2 silver laced wyandottes.
They arrived June 11th, and one of the Sussex (SX) chicks was flopped on his side. I got them home and immediately called to let Meyer know that 6 of the 8 were showing some strange symptoms. I did my best to nurse them with recommended Boiled Egg crumbles, dampened food, electrolytes.... Everything I knew and then some
Despite that, all six passed away. I got a refund on them.
The symptoms were falling over to one side, flipping the wings out. Spasms. Unable to eat, but ate and drank well while I was hand and syringe feeding/watering. Cheeping loudly until I held them. Which made me feel bad. The last one to go was one I really wanted to make it, she had a spot on her head that I really liked. I held her to the end.
All of the other chicks have been growing well, eating well, walking well. They started picking at the white top polish feathers and gave her a bald spot, but that was the worst of it for the most part.
Well, that changed three days ago when one of my Mille Fleurs (they are bantams, so they were not vaccinated against Marek's) started walking funny. Day two, he was unable to walk, and having strange, body wracking spasms that pushed his head forward/neck straight and threw out his right wing. Day three, he's barely even trying to stand today. He is able to eat on his own still, which kind of baffles me.
So... I'm going to be doing some research.
The three Mille Fleurs and the polish with the bald spot are in doors with me, the others are out in an enclosure to get some grass, sunlight, and space. My indoor cages are tiny and they're growing fast.
My hens and pullets are out foraging and have already been exposed to the chicks just by walking near the outdoor enclosure. I'm not sure what to make of this new development.
I'll take a video today if I get the change. Frantically trying to finish cleaning the front room and organize my crafting area, I have chainmaille and beads EVERYWHERE and we're expecting company tomorrow.
Any ideas and thoughts are welcome. Gonna go check on the babies again, then get to work. Thanks in advance!
I started it last year with chicks from TSC and a couple of local feed stores. They're all doing great (the ones that survived dog/raccoon/snake attacks, that is) and are laying very well.
We have adopted and rescued a few chickens from people moving, etc. All have been healthy and well feathered. Some were lost to coon attacks, dogs, etc. Currently there are 12 hens and 4 roosters (Two bantams, one Dominique, one big red and black rooster).
We had a group of chicks come at the end of March that are from Murray McMurray that are doing fantastic.
But they didn't have Speckled Sussex chicks for any of the dates that I wanted to order.. in fact they were pretty much out before the beginning of this year.
So I searched other hatcheries, prices, etc. And found Meyer Hatchery.
I couldn't contain my excitement. I ordered 8 Speckled Sussex, 2 White top blue polish, 3 cochins, 3 Mille Fleur bantams, and 2 silver laced wyandottes.
They arrived June 11th, and one of the Sussex (SX) chicks was flopped on his side. I got them home and immediately called to let Meyer know that 6 of the 8 were showing some strange symptoms. I did my best to nurse them with recommended Boiled Egg crumbles, dampened food, electrolytes.... Everything I knew and then some
Despite that, all six passed away. I got a refund on them.
The symptoms were falling over to one side, flipping the wings out. Spasms. Unable to eat, but ate and drank well while I was hand and syringe feeding/watering. Cheeping loudly until I held them. Which made me feel bad. The last one to go was one I really wanted to make it, she had a spot on her head that I really liked. I held her to the end.
All of the other chicks have been growing well, eating well, walking well. They started picking at the white top polish feathers and gave her a bald spot, but that was the worst of it for the most part.
Well, that changed three days ago when one of my Mille Fleurs (they are bantams, so they were not vaccinated against Marek's) started walking funny. Day two, he was unable to walk, and having strange, body wracking spasms that pushed his head forward/neck straight and threw out his right wing. Day three, he's barely even trying to stand today. He is able to eat on his own still, which kind of baffles me.
So... I'm going to be doing some research.
The three Mille Fleurs and the polish with the bald spot are in doors with me, the others are out in an enclosure to get some grass, sunlight, and space. My indoor cages are tiny and they're growing fast.
My hens and pullets are out foraging and have already been exposed to the chicks just by walking near the outdoor enclosure. I'm not sure what to make of this new development.
I'll take a video today if I get the change. Frantically trying to finish cleaning the front room and organize my crafting area, I have chainmaille and beads EVERYWHERE and we're expecting company tomorrow.
Any ideas and thoughts are welcome. Gonna go check on the babies again, then get to work. Thanks in advance!
