I lost my first chicken today. I promised myself I wouldn't get attached. But each of the kids picked out a chicken and I chose one too and raised it from a little puff ball. My Buff Orpington, Butterball died today. We can't figure out what happened. It wasn't too hot today. They had fresh food and water as always and she was fine last night when I locked them up. I went out this evening to give them some dinner leftovers and she was laying inside the coop dead. She was only about 16 weeks old and the friendliest of our 6. Do chickens normally drop dead for no apparent reason? Her crop wasn't enlarged and she had been eating and acting normal? We wonder if something got into the run, but there was no blood or puncture marks. just several feathers around the run.
I second the thoughts on a scorpion sting. Despite our hard freeze this year, they seem to be significantly more abundant. That is the same situation we had with our only unexplained loss about a year ago. She was in the coop and was fine at night, but she was completely lethargic and then dead less than twelve hours later. When I did the necropsy, I couldn't find any signs of disease or illness, either. That is always a good step to take with an unexplainable loss. Even if it turns out everything looks great inside her, you will get a better idea of what you're looking at for next time. I'm afraid it's a bit too late to do now, since nearly twelve hours have passed, but it's something to keep in mine for next time.
My only other losses were heat-related. After a story, I forgot to put the shade cover back over the dog kennel turned chicken tractor for my broilers. That was entirely my fault and I regret it. The final one was an Ameraucana, but all four of my Ameraucana's suffered more through the heat than the rest of my clan. I fully expected to loose at least one of those. As much as I'd love to have colored eggs, it just may not be possible with my very hands-off natural approach.
Oh, and it's been
SPRINKLING all morning up here. So far, it's just enough to get the ground wet and a couple of small puddles, but it's a wonderful change and my entire clan is out there wandering around foraging. I hope it stays around all day.
but I have only Dakota, Basil, and Angle. I thought that one could have jumped out, but NO, I ca not find 1 more chick. ????????? We're is NO 4¿?¿?
