3 birds died

[Ute in UK]

Hello all,
I am so concerned and need some opinions.
We do have a flock of 9 wyandottes.
Three weeks ago I found our cockerel (2 years old) dead in the back yard.
He didn t showed any signs of illness or whatever kind of not normal.
However, we have been sad but bought 2 weeks later a new cockerel and a little hen.
Last week one of our old hens (8+ years) was dead in the coop when I opened the door in the morning. It looked like that she died in sleep falling off the perch.
Now one of our other old hens (7+years) don t want to come out of the coop and I really expect her to be dead when I come home.

Is that a coincidence or what can it be ?????

Thank you for some helpful answers.
ute

 

[mymilliefleur]

Not sure why the cock died, since he was young, but if the two hens were 7 and 8 years old, could they just be succumbing to old age?
Has it gotten cold there recently? What are you feeding?
It is a little coincidental to have 3 birds go down so close to each other. The best way to know for sure why they died is to send them to a lab for necropsy.

 

[Kiki]

Have you checked them well for lice and mites?

 

[Ute in UK]

Not sure why the cock died, since he was young, but if the two hens were 7 and 8 years old, could they just be succumbing to old age?
Has it gotten cold there recently? What are you feeding?
It is a little coincidental to have 3 birds go down so close to each other. The best way to know for sure why they died is to send them to a lab for necropsy.

Thanks so much for answering,
well, it has been cold but only 8c I don t think that can be a problem.
I am feeding, WCF layer pallets and as treat, they get this mixed grains....I just contacted such a necropsy lab and waiting for the answer. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Ute in UK]

thanks very much for your answer, yes we did that......

 

[mymilliefleur]

Thanks so much for answering,
well, it has been cold but only 8c I don t think that can be a problem.
I am feeding, WCF layer pallets and as treat, they get this mixed grains....I just contacted such a necropsy lab and waiting for the answer. Thanks for the tip.

A Necropsy is probably your best bet to get to the bottom of this. Let us know what happened if/when you get the results back!

 

[Ute in UK]

I just contacted the lab and they charge £50 plus I have to go to the vet first that he transfer me to the lab and that will cost as well.....so at the end of the day it will be £100 for 1 chicken.....mmmhhh not sure.
BTW Berta my ill chicken is still with us , she spend all day in the coop and she didn t want to eat or drink.....but after sitting in the egg box she is now perching with the others.....so she might recover......she is such a lovely hen.....
Thanks again
ute

 

[mymilliefleur]

That is a lot to spend. You could try doing a necropsy on the dead bird yourself, not as good as getting it done in a lab, but it might give you some clues.
What are the sick hens symptoms? Have you seen her poop?

 

[Ute in UK]

That is a lot to spend. You could try doing a necropsy on the dead bird yourself, not as good as getting it done in a lab, but it might give you some clues.
What are the sick hens symptoms? Have you seen her poop?

.

....well she didn t went out today....spend all day in the coop....and she don t like to eat or drink.....so I am very concerned.....need to check tomorrow morning with the poop....and I cant do a necropsy by myself....couldn t cut her up.....and would also not know what to look for.....

 

[Shadrach]

Hello all,
I am so concerned and need some opinions.
We do have a flock of 9 wyandottes.
Three weeks ago I found our cockerel (2 years old) dead in the back yard.
He didn t showed any signs of illness or whatever kind of not normal.
However, we have been sad but bought 2 weeks later a new cockerel and a little hen.
Last week one of our old hens (8+ years) was dead in the coop when I opened the door in the morning. It looked like that she died in sleep falling off the perch.
Now one of our other old hens (7+years) don t want to come out of the coop and I really expect her to be dead when I come home.

Is that a coincidence or what can it be ?????

Thank you for some helpful answers.
ute

That's a rough few days.
I agree with those who have suggested a necropsy.
I'm not suggesting the following is what killed your chickens but it is a point worth mentioning.
Layers feed is often high calcium; sometimes as much as 5% by weight of the product.
For older hens laying maybe 50 eggs a year or less, pullets who don't yet lay eggs, and all males these high calcium percentages in feed can cause liver and kidney problems. Chickens do die from hypercalcemia and are prone to other problems to do with excess calcium in their diet. You often get advised to reduce treats but I think getting an all flock feed at around 1% calcium and offering calcium in a separate dish for you hens in peak laying would give positive health benefits, particularly over the long term.