Anyone know what the problem could be?

[prettylittlehens]

I’ve lost three chickens in the last two weeks and I’m struggling to find a definitive reason why especially for this last one- all three were in different coops so I’m not sure if the deaths are related or just bad luck on my end. Most recent was my silkie hen who I was super attached to. She was in a coop with three other hens and a Roo- who all appear to still be fine and she herself was acting normal just yesterday. She was in an outside coop (temp has been in the teens at nighttime with a few single digit nights and 20’s or higher during the day) but well insulated and vented with lots of deep dry bedding and the others do not seem to be cold or bothered. She was still warm to the touch when I found her so I don’t really think temp is the issue. She appeared normal, felt the right weight when I picked her up, no signs of mites, and I didn’t see any signs of fighting or feather plucking on her. It’s as if she quite literally just fell over dead. The only thing I did notice is that she had started to lay a few months ago and suddenly stopped the last two weeks but I had attributed that to the sudden drop in temps. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions as to what could have happened I would really appreciate it! I need some peace of mind that the others who shared her coop aren’t going to get sick and I would like to have a better idea of what happened to my girl so I can try to prevent it happening again in the future.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. Bantams might be more susceptible to hypothermia. A necropsy by your state poultry vet would be the easiest way to get a diagnosis. Sometimes doing your own at home can give some clues. As my chickens get older they are more stressed by severe winter temperatures. Here is a list of state vets who can do necropsies:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[MysteryChicken]

Sorry for your loss. Bantams might be more susceptible to hypothermia. A necropsy by your state poultry vet would be the easiest way to get a diagnosis. Sometimes doing your own at home can give some clues. As my chickens get older they are more stressed by severe winter temperatures. Here is a list of state vets who can do necropsies:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

I don't think it was temperature.

I keep Bantams, & it's been really cold, & have been in the negatives a quite a few nights.

Still have my originals from about 3-4 years ago, & they survived the polar vortex without frostbite, except ones comb was lost due to frostbite.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Were the other ones showing symptoms of anything before your Silkie's death?

Is her skull Vaulted, or Non-Vaulted?

 

[theoldchick]

Silkies are notorious for not tolerating low temps. The cottony feathers do not provide any type of protection. As mentioned a necropsy is the only way to find out what killed your hen. My guess is she could have had a cardiac event brought on from the stress of freezing temps. Sorry for your loss.

 

[Eggcessive]

I have raised a few bantams with my larger breeds, and they have mostly tolerated temps near zero. But I hang a heat lamp overnight once the temp is below 15 F. A lot depends on the size of the coop, how many chickens, ventilation or pressence of drafts, and any insulation. My small coop with 2 hens is more cold than my bigger coop with more chickens. A 2x4 wide flat roost can allow the feet to rest warmly under the chicken’s body. Some chickens that may have been affected by a common disease or condition, and may tolerate it, can succumb to the severe cold.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Silkies are notorious for not tolerating low temps. The cottony feathers do not provide any type of protection. As mentioned a necropsy is the only way to find out what killed your hen. My guess is she could have had a cardiac event brought on from the stress of freezing temps. Sorry for your loss.

My silkies are very winter hardy. Haven't lost one due to the cold yet.

I'm more in the line of a head pecking situation.

 

[theoldchick]

Could be some pecking going on if your flock is staying in their coop. Did she have head wounds? Did she have a vaulted skull? If so, a peck in the right spot could drop her.