2 chickens have died in the last ten days

[michelinaroth]

We are not sure what is wrong with our chickens. 2 have died. One died 10 days ago and one died this morning. We found the first one in her nesting box and appeared to have died sleeping. The second we found on her back dead on the floor of the coop this morning. She had seemed slightly sick yesterday - not moving much. Our egg production has been down slightly for the last couple of months. We thought maybe they were laying somewhere in the yard, but now wonder if they just have had an illness.

We have four more chickens and three little boys who love them dearly. We do not want anymore to die, but are not sure what is wrong. Please advice.

Thanks so Much!

 

[horsejody]

What do you feed them? How old are they? What were the other symptoms?

 

[michelinaroth]

We really didn't see any other sypmptoms, other than a slight decline in egg production. They were both about 3 yrs. old. We feed them Layers Crumbles and they roam our yard quite a bit.

Any thoughts?

Thank you.

 

[horsejody]

Did they possibly eat something toxic in the yard? Have they been exposed to any new birds?

ETA: Check you feed for mold or spoilage

 

[omelette'smom]

Any chance they may have gotten into pesticides or rodent poisons? To happen so quick and them being free rangers than it's just an assumption they ate something I'm sorry.........

 

[Crunchie]

Parasites--either internal (worms) or external (mites or lice)--will kill your birds, and you might not notice 'till it's too late. Parasites are common. Where there are chickens, there are bugs! Have you been doing anything preventative for parasites? If not, I would check your other birds for signs of them, and treat accordingly. Many use DE as a preventative for parasites, but if you have an infestation so bad that is declining the health of and/or killing your birds, it will not be enough to correct the problem and you will probably have to go the chemical route. There is a lot of info out there--do some searches. Good luck!!