4 years, 3 months ago-
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Ken: I would love to hear from you on a regular basis as I have a lot of questions, and the few breeders I know around here are unwilling to share information.
I have raised gamefowl when I was younger, and after many years have got back into it, as I really enjoy it. I have been at it for 4 years now and I’m doing quite well. However, I am having issues with illnesses that I don’t understand. For instance, I had 9 Grey/Kelso cross chicks that were 4 weeks old, and then died, from one day to the next, with no signs of illness. They were perfectly healthy, ate well, and had plenty of cool clean water.
That afternoon they started dying, and by the next morning they were all dead. Thought it was the hen killing them off but never saw her behave badly towards the chicks. I even took the remainder away from her and put them in a brooder, and they still died! Your Thoughts? Thanks.
Kenny Troiano: Hello Ken, I understand your frustration. We never want to lose fowl, especially chicks, for they are the future of our strains.
If I were to lose a bird from time to time that would be of no concern, we call that the “N.R.M.,” which stands for the “Normal Rate of Mortality.” But when we lose a number of birds at the same time, showing the same symptoms, then we have a problem, and it is one that demands our attention.
Problems such as these can be caused by a number of things. It could be genetic, environmental, disease, or even nutritional. Let’s discuss them briefly one at a time and see if we can deduce the cause.
Genetic: genetic disorders can include lethal genes, which normally affect the chick during incubation, but can be a factor days or weeks after they hatch. These are genes, which are past down from generation to generation. It shows up when two birds carrying the same lethals are mated. Normally the chick will not hatch, but there are lethal that will affect the chick weeks after it hatches. Also, inbreeding depression can be the culprit, but since they are hybrids, no chance of that.
Environmental: the environment can include bugs, such as Black Widow Spiders; rodents, such as mice and rats; weather conditions, such as heat, cold, moisture, and wind; poor litter conditions; such as moldy, damp or old litter, or problems of a mechanical nature, such as not being able to reach the water easily.
Disease: this can be viral, bacterial, mold, fungus, or even parasites. The hen could be carrying something the chicks are susceptible to. Are you feeding your chicks first or last? You should always feed your youngest fowl first. This way they will be less exposed to disease for which the older fowl may be carrying. Are they exposed to wild birds or rodents?
Nutritional: the biggest problem for most is that brood fowl are fed inadequate rations during the breeding season. Brood fowl, especially the hens, should get feed that has at least 20% of protein. Also make sure you use proper starter ration for the chicks, also 20% or more of protein. Watch for old feed, moldy feed, and feed that is lacking of important vitamins.
As you can see, this is not a simple problem to figure out. My suggestion is to look over your entire operation, and see if you can notice areas where there may be problems. Are you using proper selection and breeding practices? Are you culling all substandard birds? Do you know the ancestry of your fowl? How are you feeding your fowl? What diseases are common on your area? Sometimes if you change one thing, you gain much in success.
I hope this information helps you in figuring out the problem.
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@Just watched your Coccideosis video. I lost quite a few and started using corid it helped but i think the cool front coming in then leaving after 2 days somehow just was too much for them lost 6 in 2 days.. whats your thoughts on this?
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Coccidiosis is a real bustard of a disease, but very common. It’s one you have to act on as soon as you start seeing symptoms. However, you can breed towards resistance, but you must be willing to lose some for the first few years.
I normally don’t have any problems, and rarely see it in my yard. That year, of the video, was weird. The first 6 batch of chicks started to show signs. I treated them and saved most of them. But, as quick as it showed up, it disappeared. I didn’t see it in any other batches. The rest were fine. Very weird.
This year, no problems.
- It’s good to make sure the chicks are in a large/roomy pen. Small areas tend to be the most problematic.
- Make sure the soil/litter is very dry.
- And don’t freak if one or two chicks show signs and die. When breeding towards resistance, this will weed out the weaklings. But, it will leave the ones with a strong constitution, and that’s what will be passed to the next generation.
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@Aloha Kenny,
I’m preparing for chicks and in doing so I’ve plummeted down a rabbit hole of health and vaccination research. Do you have any suggestions that I can follow for vaccinating new born chicks (what is recommended) and what is typically done to promote health during the Pullet and stag stages of their life?Secondly, with regard to continued maintenance against parasites do you have a basic suggestion?
Note: Breeding in Hawaii, all adult fowl live on soil/ grass or straw mix.
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Hello 808Breeder,
First of all, I did a podcast episode on Vaccinations and why I don’t do them. When you get a chance, listen to that. But, for now I will tell you that I don’t use any medications or vaccinations on my fowl. Any and all fowl on my farm must be able to survive or die. I hope that does not sound too harsh, but disease is a genetic weakness that can be passed from parent to offspring. Meds and Vaccinations only hide those weaknesses. I cull all sick birds, and breed only to the healthy birds. Health can be improved through selection and culling, good farm management practices and good nutrition.
Parasites, such as worms, lice and mites are dealt with as they arrive. I don’t give wormers or delousing powders or dips to my fowl unless they need it. I do check my birds monthly or more to make sure they are healthy and are free of parasites.
I hope this helps. We can always do a coaching call and talk about it, if you like.
Kenny
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