Chickens are dying (1 a week)

[NHRedsRock]

Hi,
I was hoping to get some insight here. We have had a flock of NH Reds for 3+ years. We have noticed over the past month that 1 chicken a week is dying. They all look healthy, we keep their run and coop clean, no signs of illness. We let them free range once a day. We don’t put any fertilizers or bug sprays on our lawn. All natural. Is 3 years the life expectancy or are we looking at a disease? It is so sad wondering when we will find the next bird. any ideas or guidance is much appreciated.

 

[my gang eats grass]

Chickens should live much longer than 3 years, my oldest is almost 9. Do you find them laying on the ground? If so, are there any wounds on them that suggest predator attack?

 

[NHRedsRock]

Chickens should live much longer than 3 years, my oldest is almost 9. Do you find them laying on the ground? If so, are there any wounds on them that suggest predator attack?

There are no signs of any predators or attacks. We have seen rats in the run in the past though.

 

[my gang eats grass]

There are no signs of any predators or attacks. We have seen rats in the run in the past though.

They are probably sick then. Have you noticed anything abnormal in their droppings?

 

[NHRedsRock]

They are probably sick then. Have you noticed anything abnormal in their droppings?

The poop appears normal for all but 1 that we just isolated this evening. She is lethargic, won’t walk around, pale droopy comb, and green poop remanence on her hind feathers. They all seem healthy and happy until we find one the next day dead. This is terrible. Not sure if there is anything we can do to prevent the rest from dying.

 

[my gang eats grass]

The poop appears normal for all but 1 that we just isolated this evening. She is lethargic, won’t walk around, pale droopy comb, and green poop remanence on her hind feathers. They all seem healthy and happy until we find one the next day dead. This is terrible. Not sure if there is anything we can do to prevent the rest from dying.

Have they been wormed recently?

 

[SiDaStuff]

When Your chicken(s) die. You can do lots of things.
(1) Pray to God and thank him for this chicken's life.
(2) Think about all the good times you had with him/her.
(3) Make a gravesite (like a small cross)
(4) Then spend some time with the flock, they may be sad too.

 

[SiDaStuff]

Try taking the dead chicken out and see what happend's

 

[SiDaStuff]

Hi,
I was hoping to get some insight here. We have had a flock of NH Reds for 3+ years. We have noticed over the past month that 1 chicken a week is dying. They all look healthy, we keep their run and coop clean, no signs of illness. We let them free range once a day. We don’t put any fertilizers or bug sprays on our lawn. All natural. Is 3 years the life expectancy or are we looking at a disease? It is so sad wondering when we will find the next bird. any ideas or guidance is much appreciated.

So sorry for your loss!

 

[Kiki]

Are you aware you can send a dead bird to your state lab for a necropsy so you know exactly why they are dying instead of playing the guessing game?