Dead wild birds

[cldavis1019]

We recently got a new run and coop for our flock. Their old area has been empty for a couple of weeks now. We just went in to clean it up some because we have a bully that needs to be separated, and there were like 10 wild dead birds in the coop/run . Does this mean they were diseased and we shouldn’t put any chickens in there now?

 

[CCsGarden]

Did they die because they couldn't get out of the coop/run?

 

[CCsGarden]

Can you post a picture of your coop and run? How big were the birds? were they sparrows?

 

[DemeterAD9]

That depends, did these birds just get trapped in there and die? Perhaps they got into some mouse poison and died? I know avian influenza is going around again but it seems odd they are all dead inside the run/coop.

 

[cldavis1019]

Did they die because they couldn't get out of the coop/run?

I’m not sure. It’s a possibility because back when the chicken used to be in there I’d have a time trying to get birds out sometimes because they’d forget how they got in.

 

[cldavis1019]

Can you post a picture of your coop and run? How big were the birds? were they sparrows?

Here is an old picture. The cat isn’t the culprit either because it’s no longer around. They all were starlings.

 

[cldavis1019]

That depends, did these birds just get trapped in there and die? Perhaps they got into some mouse poison and died? I know avian influenza is going around again but it seems odd they are all dead inside the run/coop.

They may have gotten trapped because I’ve chased out cardinals in there several times when they couldn’t figure out how to get back out. These were all starlings. There wasn’t any mouse poison in there but I guess they could’ve gotten into it somewhere else. It’s very strange.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Scary... I am assuming there was no way for the birds to get out once they got shut inside? Chances are good that if they found a way they might find the way back out.

I'd clean well, get some lime and dust every surface very heavily, let it sit a week and hose it down. Make sure you get an wild bird poop on top the coop.

Bio security is important. Wild birds should never mix with your flock unless you are free ranging and even then keeping the birds out of the feed keeps any contact to a minimum.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Those kind of runs often have a gap around the door. If a bird got in through it they likely wouldn't know how to get out. Birds are a lot like flies in that way.

 

[AinaWGSD]

I would contact your state department of wildlife. In Illinois any time you find 5 or more dead birds it's recommended to report. If you clear out the bodies make sure you wear gloves and a N95 mask if possible.