Advice from experienced bantam keepers please

[Phenajo]

This is the first time I’ve kept bantams so wanted to get a view from more experienced keepers as to whether my birds died of old age or possibly another cause.
I had a flock of 3, all the same age raised together. They are in a plastic coop at night, so no mites, and free range in the garden in the day. They are fed layers pellets and water with acv.
About 6 months ago I noticed one of them becoming a little slower, seeming tired, separating herself more and more, and gradually this all increased until I felt sure she was going to die soon, which sure enough she did. I found her one morning in the coop, seeming peaceful, lying with eyes closed. I assumed as there had been no sign of any illness and she seems to gradually slow down over a month or so that this was due to her age. She had just turned 4 though so not very old.
The exact same thing happened a month ago with another one, she just seemed to gradually become tired and a bit wobbly then died in her sleep.
We’ve since introduced 4 new bantam chicks to the remaining hen. I’ve noticed in the last couple of days the remaining hen doesn’t quite seem her active self. There’s no apparent sign of illness, she’s still laying, eating and drinking, though a little less interested in eating. She is the same age as the others, so I was worried she might be on the way out, or could there perhaps be some sort of illness?
Is this what happens when hens get old and die of no specified cause? And is 4 to 4.5 years reasonable for a bantam?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Where did you get your original four from? Hatchery, backyard breeder etc.? You said your coop is plastic, does it have proper ventilation and is it hot there? What are you feeding and what %protein? Were there any other signs besides lethargy? Runny nose, sneezing, hard or doughy crops, smelly breath, loose or oddly colored stools, bubbly eyes etc?

 

[Phenajo]

Hi, thanks for your reply. Out of the original 3, two we hatched ourselves (Suffolk Chequer), and the other we got from a breeder (Peaking).
The coop is well ventilated, however, until recently I’ve always left the door to the run open at all times, as it’s all completely secure. But in the last few weeks, since the chicks have moved in, I’ve closed it at night, as there have been a few rats around. They are all let out first thing in the morning and have all day free ranging.
No signs at all other than slightly off her food, though still eating, and also the lethargy - she keeps sleeping in the sun, which I know doesn’t necessarily mean she’s ill, but it is out of character for this bird.

 

[Phenajo]

Sorry, forgot to add in response, she’s fed layers pellets and has a dash of apple cider vinegar in her water.

 

[Phenajo]

Where did you get your original four from? Hatchery, backyard breeder etc.? You said your coop is plastic, does it have proper ventilation and is it hot there? What are you feeding and what %protein? Were there any other signs besides lethargy? Runny nose, sneezing, hard or doughy crops, smelly breath, loose or oddly colored stools, bubbly eyes etc?

Hi, thanks for your reply. Out of the original 3, two we hatched ourselves (Suffolk Chequer), and the other we got from a breeder (Peaking).
The coop is well ventilated, however, until recently I’ve always left the door to the run open at all times, as it’s all completely secure. But in the last few weeks, since the chicks have moved in, I’ve closed it at night, as there have been a few rats around. They are all let out first thing in the morning and have all day free ranging.
No signs at all other than slightly off her food, though still eating, and also the lethargy - she keeps sleeping in the sun, which I know doesn’t necessarily mean she’s ill, but it is out of character for this bird.

 

[Phenajo]

Hi, thanks for your reply. Out of the original 3, two we hatched ourselves (Suffolk Chequer), and the other we got from a breeder (Peaking).
The coop is well ventilated, however, until recently I’ve always left the door to the run open at all times, as it’s all completely secure. But in the last few weeks, since the chicks have moved in, I’ve closed it at night, as there have been a few rats around. They are all let out first thing in the morning and have all day free ranging.
No signs at all other than slightly off her food, though still eating, and also the lethargy - she keeps sleeping in the sun, which I know doesn’t necessarily mean she’s ill, but it is out of character for this bird.

Sorry, forgot to add in response, she’s fed layers pellets and has a dash of apple cider vinegar in her water.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Average age for a bantam is 4-5 years, though some can definitely live longer.
Which breed of bantam passed?

 

[Phenajo]

Average age for a bantam is 4-5 years, though some can definitely live longer.
Which breed of bantam passed?

That’s really useful to know. The 2 that died wishing 6 months of each other were Suffolk chequer. The remaining one is a Pekin, she’s 4 and a half.

 

[Phenajo]

That’s really useful to know. The 2 that died wishing 6 months of each other were Suffolk chequer. The remaining one is a Pekin, she’s 4 and a half.

* were not wishing

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Oh I see. I guess I misread what you posted and thought only one had passed. If the remaining one passes, you could send off for a necropsy to see if there is anything to watch out for.