Dying chickens no symptoms

[Ab1010]

My mom has chickens ranging from 3 years to 2 years old. All of them free range, they get treats, oyster shells, quality feed, their coop is regularly cleaned and there's no poison being used on their property. They clean their waters too. A year ago her first chicken just dropped dead with no warning. And then two more dropped Dead in the same night a few months later. Then about 4 months later another randomly died and now 2 more have died. They show no symptoms, their poop looks good, their combs are bright, they are eating like crazy and drinking. If it was close together it would make more sense but they die so far apart and sometimes two die in one day. They have no wounds so it's not infection. None act sick, there's no discoloration. One was found barely alive barely breathing and her comb turned suddenly white and she had to be put down. She was perfectly fine earlier in the day and the day before. What could it possibly be??

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My mom has chickens ranging from 3 years to 2 years old. All of them free range, they get treats, oyster shells, quality feed, their coop is regularly cleaned and there's no poison being used on their property. They clean their waters too. A year ago her first chicken just dropped dead with no warning. And then two more dropped Dead in the same night a few months later. Then about 4 months later another randomly died and now 2 more have died. They show no symptoms, their poop looks good, their combs are bright, they are eating like crazy and drinking. If it was close together it would make more sense but they die so far apart and sometimes two die in one day. They have no wounds so it's not infection. None act sick, there's no discoloration. One was found barely alive barely breathing and her comb turned suddenly white and she had to be put down. She was perfectly fine earlier in the day and the day before. What could it possibly be??

If it was close together it would make more sense but they die so far apart and sometimes two die in one day. They have no wounds so it's not infection. None act sick, there's no discoloration. One was found barely alive barely breathing and her comb turned suddenly white and she had to be put down. She was perfectly fine earlier in the day and the day before. What could it possibly be??

I'm sorry for your losses.

With an age range you have, the hens may be dying due to reproductive disorders or a common illness like Marek's or Avian Leukosis. It's very hard to know, especially if there's no symptoms prior to losing them.

If you lose another, the best way to get information on why a hen has died is to send the body to your state lab for analysis. This will give you a report of their findings so you make any necessary changes to diet, husbandry, etc.

You can find your state lab in the link below.


https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...60jbZH0ItV62UeKc0Oe3MEeP66b9-_hL07RXLXuVhy8yQ

 

[knoturavggrl]

I am sorry for the losses. Just to rule this out has anyone used rat/mouse poison? Chickens will eat mice and young rats, if they are poisoned the chickens can die from eating them. I only mention this as possibility due the space between and the lack of other symptoms or obvious cause of death.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Sorry to hear about your mom's chickens. If your mom isn't using rat/mouse poison check that the neighbors aren't also. Do the chickens have access to a compost pile? Compost can grown some toxic molds. And could they have been accidentally fed poisonous treats such as avocados?

 

[chickengr]

My mom has chickens ranging from 3 years to 2 years old. All of them free range, they get treats, oyster shells, quality feed, their coop is regularly cleaned and there's no poison being used on their property. They clean their waters too. A year ago her first chicken just dropped dead with no warning. And then two more dropped Dead in the same night a few months later. Then about 4 months later another randomly died and now 2 more have died. They show no symptoms, their poop looks good, their combs are bright, they are eating like crazy and drinking. If it was close together it would make more sense but they die so far apart and sometimes two die in one day. They have no wounds so it's not infection. None act sick, there's no discoloration. One was found barely alive barely breathing and her comb turned suddenly white and she had to be put down. She was perfectly fine earlier in the day and the day before. What could it possibly be??

are they hybrids? hybrids have short lifespan.

 

[Rara541]

Perhaps they are eating each other‘s eggs that may be rancid? A hidden nest? That could make them sick… I’m sorry tho.

 

[Ab1010]

are they hybrids? hybrids have short lifespan.

No, they are purebred. From different breeders too. Some of them are very nice chickens.

 

[Ab1010]

Perhaps they are eating each other‘s eggs that may be rancid? A hidden nest? That could make them sick… I’m sorry tho.

Not that she's noticed. They never seem to eat eggs that she sees and she's usually good about collecting eggs. Its just really random.

 

[Rara541]

Not that she's noticed. They never seem to eat eggs that she sees and she's usually good about collecting eggs. Its just really random.

Darn. Well then it could be Mericks or another that spreads… is her flock vaccinated? I bet the community college could use a blood sample to test and check… less expensive then a vet perhaps