Chickens dropping dead

[PearlTheDuck]

Yesterday we woke up to one of our hens in the corner of the coop dead, she was only 2, she was almost convulsing like but fully dead (head down and legs kicking slightly when you picked her up, which I’m not sure is a part of what this is or likely with all deaths in general) This morning, we woke up to another one of our hens, not even a year old, the same way and dead. They’re fine the night before, no symptoms. I’m devastated and my biggest fear is I’m going to lose my entire flock to whatever this is. In all my years of owning birds I’ve never even experienced anything like this.

 

[azygous]

When something as alarming as this occurs in a flock, it's highly advisable to send the dead body to a state lab for a necropsy. Obviously, this is likely something that has consequences for your entire flock, and you absolutely need to know what it is you're are dealing with so you can save the rest. Refrigerate, do not freeze, the body while you work out the details of getting a necropsy. Call your local ag office or university extension for information on a lab that will do this.

Meanwhile, I suggest you gather a random poop sample and have a vet do a simple fecal float test for parasites. You may be dealing with a deadly strain of coccidia that has taken up residence in your chickens, and it can move through and kill quite a number of them before you know it.

 

[Chicks 'n ducks]

I''m so so sorry... losing birds hurts so much. This exact same thing has happened to me. I have yet to determine the cause. Best thing you could do would be send your dead bird in for a necropsy... then you can develop a plan of action/treatment. It could be Mareks, or a whole host of things. Knowing for sure from a necropsy is totally worth the 40 bucks. I am wishing you luck and health for your birds.

 

[Pennys Mama]

Yesterday we woke up to one of our hens in the corner of the coop dead, she was only 2, she was almost convulsing like but fully dead (head down and legs kicking slightly when you picked her up, which I’m not sure is a part of what this is or likely with all deaths in general) This morning, we woke up to another one of our hens, not even a year old, the same way and dead. They’re fine the night before, no symptoms. I’m devastated and my biggest fear is I’m going to lose my entire flock to whatever this is. In all my years of owning birds I’ve never even experienced anything like this.

Here is a reply sent to me with the phone numbers of the state agencies. Hope this helps you, I'm dealing with my own disturbing illness in my flock too. I feel for ya, sucks beyond words can express.

Your state vet can tell you over the phone about how to get tested. In many states, it is only a few dollars. Whether it is MG or coryza, those will make your flock carriers for life. The flock should be closed to new birds, and none should leave. Here is some reading about the two diseases, and you can Google for more articles:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/programs/poultry/FS-1008 Recognizing and Preventing Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf

https://thepoultrysite.com/disease-guide/infectious-coryza

Here is a list of state vets to get the phone number for yours:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Yesterday we woke up to one of our hens in the corner of the coop dead, she was only 2, she was almost convulsing like but fully dead (head down and legs kicking slightly when you picked her up, which I’m not sure is a part of what this is or likely with all deaths in general) This morning, we woke up to another one of our hens, not even a year old, the same way and dead. They’re fine the night before, no symptoms. I’m devastated and my biggest fear is I’m going to lose my entire flock to whatever this is. In all my years of owning birds I’ve never even experienced anything like this.

I'm sorry for your losses.
I agree, it's a very good idea to refrigerate the body and send it for testing so you know what is happening.
Here's a link to your Texas state lab system https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/

Think if you have changed anything - new feed, closed up coop for winter, any way a predator can get in, new birds to your flock in the last 30 days, use of any toxins/pesticides/poisons?

 

[PearlTheDuck]

I'm sorry for your losses.
I agree, it's a very good idea to refrigerate the body and send it for testing so you know what is happening.
Here's a link to your Texas state lab system https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/

Think if you have changed anything - new feed, closed up coop for winter, any way a predator can get in, new birds to your flock in the last 30 days, use of any toxins/pesticides/poisons?

Thank you. Only changes that have been made somewhat recently is we closed up the coop for winter last week, and we changed their feed over from Purina flock raiser crumbles to Dumor layer pellets around a month ago

 

[Eggcessive]

Very sorry for your loss, and I hope that you can find the cause of death through getting a necropsy.

 

[Pennys Mama]

Thank you. Only changes that have been made somewhat recently is we closed up the coop for winter last week, and we changed their feed over from Purina flock raiser crumbles to Dumor layer pellets around a month ago

I would stick with Purina or Nutrena.

 

[PearlTheDuck]

I would stick with Purina or Nutrena.

Alright, will do. Any reason you say that?

 

[Pennys Mama]

Alright, will do. Any reason you say that?

Well, I guess it's actually a brand of Purina. I was trying to find what I'd read on it, but it was a while back and didn't save it. It seems like they were having some contamination & recalls, but I can't find the one I'd read specifically. It was probably 7 or 8 months ago that I read it. I would imagine there are many that use DuMor feed that would have better experience with anything negative they've encountered or not.