Culture clash, or disease?

joemallo · Aug 1, 2015

A couple hens passed suddenly and Im wondering why. I built a chicken pen in March for chickens I raised, 5 hens and 1 rooster now 2yrs old. I had free range/ slightly wild birds on my property that I put in the same pen at the same time, 4 hens. Two birds that I raised myself have since died. They died two months apart. One died in May and the other in July. Unsure why as both appeared to be sudden deaths. I am concerned about my birds. The hen's feathers look very tattered especially on their backs. I assume the rooster might be too rough? There are many feathers around the coop. I sit and observe in 30Min blocks and dont see foul play. I'd like to keep them well and alive for a long time. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

GitaBooks · Aug 1, 2015

I'm sorry to hear that.

If you have 8 hens for your rooster, he shouldn't be over breeding them (though it is still possible). Is it extra hot out?

Also, could they have mites?

Mrs. K · Aug 1, 2015

Generally speaking, chickens are not real long lived animals, almost alway less than 5 years, very often less than three.

Many people do post on here about very old birds, but those are often an exception. Hatchery birds that most of us generally start with, are most generally in the short life span range. Two birds dying that far apart are not dying from a disease that will wipe out your flock.

There are numerous ailments, internal problems with heart, or liver. internal problems with the laying equipment, are all things that lead to a shortened life span.

If you have successfully kept them going for 2 years, well then, it is probably genetic. It helps me not so much to look at them as individual birds, but more as a flock as a whole. When birds go out of the flock, well then I get to add birds into the flock. It is having the flock that gives me enjoyment, even though it is tough to lose your favorites, there can be new favorites.

Good luck,

Mrs K

GitaBooks · Aug 1, 2015

Mrs. K said:
Generally speaking, chickens are not real long lived animals, almost alway less than 5 years, very often less than three.

Many people do post on here about very old birds, but those are often an exception. Hatchery birds that most of us generally start with, are most generally in the short life span range. Two birds dying that far apart are not dying from a disease that will wipe out your flock.

There are numerous ailments, internal problems with heart, or liver. internal problems with the laying equipment, are all things that lead to a shortened life span.

If you have successfully kept them going for 2 years, well then, it is probably genetic. It helps me not so much to look at them as individual birds, but more as a flock as a whole. When birds go out of the flock, well then I get to add birds into the flock. It is having the flock that gives me enjoyment, even though it is tough to lose your favorites, there can be new favorites.

Good luck,

Mrs K

Yeah, I agree with you. Its really sad that people don't breed for health or longevity in production animals. I don't consider that very wise (or nice), and I hope that people will start working towards that more in the future. Major laying and meat breeds don't live long, but more natural breeds can live for over 10 years.
We have the same problem with domesticated horses, dogs, cats, and ferrets. They live as much as half their natural lifespan because of poor breeding, inbreeding, and selecting for unhealthy mutations (dwarfisim is a big one).

Sorry for ranting (

), I just study domestic animals and their health problems and it makes me frustrated.

Folly's place · Aug 1, 2015

Welcome! Birds try to act fine if at all possible, so "sudden death" can be a misnomer. Only necropsies can tell you what any given bird died from, unless there are obvious wounds. There are also lab tests that can be run on live birds for certain diseases. I want to know why every one of my birds dies, so I check; otherwise it's a mystery. Mary

Culture clash, or disease?

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