Buff orpington found dead-medicate others??

[orpingtons in NH]

Hi, this is my first time posting so please forgive me if etiquite is not correct. Last night I went to put my 14 Buff Orps into the coop and 1 had passed. She never exhibited any outward signs of any illness. I recently (1 wk ago) expanded the area where they range (no new plant species or anything) but other than that, there have been no changes in diet or anything thing I can think of that may have caused her to die. These are very well loved girls and my kids took her passing hard. So my questions is this: do I give anitbiotics to the remaining chickens "just in case"? Thanks for any advise.....

 

[rooster0209]

It seems that once a year, I loose one the same way. Showing no signs of illness, no standing off from the group or anything...just dead one morning. I have never given any of my birds antibiotics. I prefer the "if they arent sick..dont medicate".


I am sorry for your loss. I know the grief of losing a pet.

 

[speckledhen]

Don't medicate anyone. You have no idea what you'd be treating, if anything. Chickens pass on suddenly sometimes. I've had them die from heart defects, internal laying, etc. Those are not things you can fix with any medication.

 

[NeeleysAVLChicks]

I'm so sorry about your girl passing, that's never easy.

I would be cautious about jumping to put your girls on antibiotics if they aren't needed, you don't want them to build up a resistance. Can you give us any more information about your girl that passed? And your remaining girls? Is anyone exhibiting signs of illness? Have you checked your food to make sure its not moldy/contaminated?

Many times chickens just die from some internal cause without exhibiting any symptoms. It's chicken nature to often not show that they are sick until the very end.

If you're really worried, you might try checking to see if somewhere local (university w/ a livestock program, vet school, county agriculture agency) would do necropsy, many places will do it for free or a nominal charge. They will likely be able to tell you the cause of death and that will help you to determine if you need to treat the rest of your flock.

So sorry, but

 

[ozark hen]

Sorry about losing your orp. First let me say.... WELCOME

Secondly, Speckled Hen is LIKE our on- site chicken vet. she knows so very much and I would highly recommend you listen to her advice. It does happen to all of us.

 

[orpingtons in NH]

thanks everyone, I will NOT give antibiotics then. I just wanted to avoid the loss of more pets. I really appreciate all of your input. The remaining girls seem fine, eating & drinking well, poop looks normal and they come when I call. I'll assume this is an isolated incident as I really do hate the thought of having to give them antibiotics without a confirmed diagnosis of anything bacterial going on. Thanks again.

 

[ZooMummzy]

I'm sorry about your loss

I had my 3 month old Barred OEGB pullet die last night in my arms suddenly. There was not apparent reason for it and all the others are fine. My first year I had a Buff Orp just drop dead too, no reason there either. After 3 years, I have come to realize sometimes they just die. Like everyone else, I wouldn't medicate. It could do more harm than good.

 

[gumpsgirl]

As hard as this is, the only time you would give antibiotics is when you have a diagnosis or a pretty good idea of what illness you are treating. Different antibiotics treat different things and when you give them without a reason to be doing so you are only setting yourself up for more problems in the future.

Sorry for your loss.