Chickens just up and dying.

[Dadspossum]

Do chickens just up and die sometimes? I have had 3-4 chickens die last year and just acouple days ago my white leghorn died, for no reason, and today on of my other chickens is dying. I think. Why?

Please Help,
Possum

 

[smith2]

Yes, they do. Most of the time, I just don't worry about it unless, I think they had some awful disease and will spread it to the others. I had one die this week. Just found her. No signs of illness, distress, or violence. She was old and I think the cold was too hard on her. Sometimes they die of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, kidney failure, etc. just like people. Make sure they are not getting into poisons, moldy feeds, wood chips, or chemicals, etc. They might be eating something you are not aware of. Check around. Make sure rodents aren't around the area. They carry diseases and can contaminate feed and water.

 

[RhodeIslandRedFan]

Hello, Dadspossum. Yes, it is possible for a chicken to die suddenly and for no apparent reason, for example of a heart problem that caused no apparent symptoms prior to death. One of my hens died suddenly last year. One day she was fine with no signs of illness, the next day appeared ill when I let her out of the coop in the morning, and she was dead by noon the same day. I never determined the cause. No signs of illness with my other hens, then or since. With the number of deaths you have experienced since last year, however, you might want to try to determine if there is something behind the deaths. If you answer the following questions, others on this site experienced in chicken care can help you figure out what might be causing your chickens to die. Good luck to you.

Give us the following information. The more you tell us, the better we will be able to help you.

1) What type of bird , age and weight.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use

 

[jrottie]

I had a 7 month old hen that was one of my best layers die today . She was a white leghorn. She has been laying normal white eggs everyday for the past month. I noticed she was standing still for about an hour, so I went out to see her. She just stood there which is adnormal for her, then another of my leghorns ran up and grabbed her comb and twisted it, and then pecked it a few times. She then ran into the coop and hopped in a nesting box. this morning she was still in there. I picked her up and stood her in the grass. an hour later she was dead. yesterday morning she was running around with the rest of the flock. The other 12 seem to be fine. No signs of illness at all. poop looks normal in all the birds. no sneezing, oozing or anything. I am puzzled and concerned for the rest of the birds. Any advice?...thanks in advance...rob

 

[Sally8]

I don't have the experience to know what happened but I'm sorry for your loss.