2 dead hens, both production crosses that were obtained as adults, age unknown, last summer from a chicken "trader" who would get large numbers from Amish farms. These were our 'practice" chickens who have become pets. It has been extremely wet here and their run had become "soupy" to the point I began letting them free range for the past month. (they have been loving it) 2 weeks ago one of the hens became listless, sleeping during the day not moving much appearing weak. It died 3 days later. 2 days ago a second hen began having same problem. It died this morning. No other obvious symptoms. No cough, runny eye or nose, vent looks okay, palpation of egg channel doesnt feel abnormal. Croup feels normal, not hard or over full. No bad odor. If anything, maybe stools a little loose evidenced by feathers around the vent being a little messy, but no blood. Otherwise, as a late sign the combs turn cyanotic a few hours before death. 4 days prior to death, they were both eating scratching, happy chickens. At a loss.. old age, parasite..??
