1yr old chickens from same hatch dying

[Nimueh Alene]

One year ago I hatched 9 bantams from eggs off ebay. 2 rooster and 7 hens. Hatch date 12-4-17. Over the last 2 week's I've lost all but one rooster whose health suddenly declined over night. No lice, no mites, poop is fine and until yesterday he was eating and drinking fine...the same for the other 8 birds. Hens not egg bound. Fed layer crumble and fresh water available 24/7. Could this be a genetic thing? Inbreeding? DH and I have had chickens for years and this is totally new to us.

 

[rebrascora]

By my maths that makes them nearly 2 years old.... do you mean a hatch date of 12/4/18 rather than 17? If they are under a year old, I would suspect Marek's disease simply because it is one of the common killers of adolescent chickens. Have you added any new birds to your flock in the past few months that might have brought it in or have you had any of your own flock show any possible Marek's symptoms in the past?
Another thought might be what you are feeding them? Can you tell us what type of main feed and treats you give them and how they are supplied? Ie hanging feeder with pellets/crumbles/mash available 24/7 and daily treats consisting of....?? or pan of fermented layer twice a day plus whatever treats....?

 

[Eggcessive]

12/4/17 was just year ago, wasn’t it? It would be good to know of any symptoms the chickens had before dying, and what ages at death. Also more infor about feed and how they were raised would be helpful. So sorry for your loss.

 

[rebrascora]

That is nearly 2 years ago in my eyes.

 

[Eggcessive]

Dec. 4,2017 was 13 months ago. It is Jan 2019 now. I know I always have problems when we enter a new year with dates, LOL.

 

[rebrascora]

Dec. 4,2017 was 13 months ago. It is Jan 2019 now. I know I always have problems when we enter a new year with dates, LOL.

Argh!.... the problem is not the year but how you guys across the pond write the date. Here in the UK we lay it out as the day/month/year and you guys (for some strange reason) do it month/day/year so I am reading that as the 12th of April instead of the 4th of December. I normally remember to convert it, but for some reason my mind completely blanked on this one

 

[Redhead Rae]

Argh!.... the problem is not the year but how you guys across the pond write the date. Here in the UK we lay it out as the day/month/year and you guys (for some strange reason) do it month/day/year so I am reading that as the 12th of April instead of the 4th of December. I normally remember to convert it, but for some reason my mind completely blanked on this one

We say the dates as March 5th 2018 rather than the 5th of March 2018, so we do the abbreviation that way as well.

 

[Nimueh Alene]

Purina layer crumbles 24/7.
Chicken treats from tractor supply. Moved them into garage after Thanksgiving. They are were serama and silkie mixes..size 13-14 oz each but with 5 feathered toes and black skin.was afraid they wouldn't fair well in 30° temps being so tiny.. Oh I also have/had them on vitamins from tractor supply.
Neighbors said they lost one from eating a japanese beetles? They look just like lady bugs. Causes ulcers in digestive tract leads to bacterial infections and septicemia! If that was the cause you think they wouldn't eat or their poop would be off. Gosh We're loaded with them! If I loose Kismit I'll look for it.

 

[Eggcessive]

We have those foreign lady bugs here, and either my chickens never eat them, or they are not affected by them. So all except have died since they were moved to your garage after Thanksgiving? Were they used to living outside in a coop before that? What symptoms did you see when they became sick? I would think about something in the garge being toxic to them, possible coccidiosis, or the cold weather being too much for them. Seramas, I think are not very good in the cold winter temperatures. Did any have runny poops, act lethargic, or stand hunched or puffed up (signs of coccidiosis?) But I would get a necropsy if you lose this last chicken by contacting your state vet or poultry lab. The body should be kept refrigerated.What state are you in? Here is a good link to finding your state vet:
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Moved them into garage after Thanksgiving. They are were serama and silkie mixes..size 13-14 oz each but with 5 feathered toes and black skin.was afraid they wouldn't fair well in 30° temps being so tiny

I agree...the first thing I would look at is what's in the garage.
Something toxic?
Are you providing any heat for them, if so what is the source (heat lamp, kerosene heater, etc.)?

I'm sorry to hear about your losses. I hope you lose no more and can figure this out.