People around here lose birds this time of year from the heat.
I lost two in the last 2 weeks from being egg bound.
I doubt if it is a noxious weed or seasonal toxin. I have lots of things growing here that chickens aren't supposed to eat and they eat away with no problems. If it were a major percentage of the diet it would be different.
Thanks, I was talking to another local breeder and he said he has lost a lot of chickens this year. Cocci and sinusitis are common and he has heard from others that have been losing more than usual. We have been having a cooler and wetter summer with intermittent heat. Hard not to take it personally though. All my girls and my 2 roos are more like yard pets with the benefit of eggs and compost turning. I really wish they were more obvious when they start feeling off though!!
I am in the process of doing a necropsy on my RIR. I did not do on the others that died .I have found a few findings so far. Cecum are both necrotic looking. Grey and enlarged. I am also trying to id an organ that looks necrotic as well. Once I post some pics I am hoping someone can help.
I am sorry for all your losses. I know its very upsetting especially to not know why you are loosing your flock. I hope someone is able to help you. I just lost my first one from what sounds very similar to your description. I wasn't given any info to help me either so I will be looking on at this thread.
I'm totally guessing here, but is it possible that some of the yellow substance in the photos is yolk? Apparently internal laying/egg yolk peritonitis leaves yolk in the abdominal cavity and eventually other organs get infected. One of the signs is pooping weird greenish goo. Had your RIR stopped laying? How did her ovaries look? Did she seem to get heavier? When did she lose her appetite? I only ask these questions because I have a girl who appears to have EYP and because she's the stoic type (and flock leader) hasn't shown any sign of being uncomfortable until yesterday, though when I look back on it there were signs that I didn't understand at the time. Just a thought (and unfortunately if it was EYP there wasn't really a whole lot you could have done beyond helping keep the bird comfortable)...
I'm sorry for your losses. It sucks having to say goodbye to chickie friends.