bloody diarrhea...possible causes???

[barnyard betty]

Does anyone know what can cause bloody or reddish brown diarrhea in chickens? I have one hen that died today.

Comb and wattles were very blue-ish as if a lack of oxygen, and noticed a lot of the reddish diarrhea around the yard today.
I haven't seen the diarrhea before yesterday, I saw a little yesterday but it wasn't very distinguishable and all chickens were acting fine. All the others are still acting fine today.
Thanks for your input

 

[charmedbychickens]

How old are your chickens?

 

[barnyard betty]

The hen that died was just over a year old...I have others in my flock that range from a year old to 8 weeks old together.

 

[chickiegirl555]

Hi - I have two chickens (both about 18 mo) that died over the weekend after a short (1-2 day) episode of bloody diarrhea and lethargy. I was curious how things were going for you?
thanks!

 

[barnyard betty]

Well, I haven't had anymore die and all seem to still be acting normally just as they did when my one hen died. I haven't seen but a few spotty reddish diarrhea droppings since and even that has tapered off. I have done some research but still not sure what happened. I guess short of going and getting the stool tested for parasites etc I don't know what else to do. I'm wondering is she maybe choked on something and the diarrhea was coincidental and a different issue or if it's related.

I'm sorry for your loss, I have been looking at any possibility for cause of diarrhea, from change of feed to parasites, to heat-stress to disease and still not sure what caused it. Meanwhile, none of the others have exhibited any other symptoms such as lethargy, lack of appetite or anything so I'm stumped. Anyone else dealing with mysterious deaths with possible coincidental diarrhea?