Emergency - help please

[Point09]

My flock is dying! Please help me narrow down the causes.

Found 1 dead hen on Sunday.
Two more on Monday
Five on Tuesday
1 already this morning.

I have about 40 layers. Egg production has dropped from 30+ to about 10 per day yesterday and today.

There were no noticeable problems before Saturday.

Some hens are lethargic, not eating, not drinking. They go from seemingly healthy to dead in about 24 hours.

All dead ones have been mature active layer hens. No roosters or young hens have died.

Weather is not especially hot this week. Was very warm last week. These hens have been through this weather before with no problems.

The few dying birds I was able to examine had no marks or obvious problems with eyes, beak, crop or feet. I do not suspect a predator.

What should their crops feel like? My girls' crops feel like a bag of water. So maybe they are drinking more than I think.


Coop is well ventilated and just cleaned it on Saturday, I am afraid I may have exposed and stirred up some micro-organism.

 

[MrsBrooke]

Welcome to BYC, Point09. Very sorry to hear of your losses.

Are the roosters and younger hens separated?

Are they accessing something that might be poisoning them? Herbicide? Insecticide?

Have you felt their abdomens to see if they feel hard or unusually full and squishy?

Have you noticed anyone walking upright like a penguin?

How are their poops? The ones that are still with us, are they eating and drinking okay?

When was the last time you wormed your chickens?

When was the last time you treated them with Corid to prevent Coccidiosis (symptoms include the ones you describe, including death within 24 hours)?

What part of the country are you from? There is a nasty outbreak of Avian Flu going around. I hope that's not it.

Any other information you can provide will be helpful.

MrsB

 

[orumpoultry]

Other factors to think about: The heat. An over heated, under hydrated bird will keel over quickly. Do they have access to plenty of shade? Fresh water? Do they have cool spots to get to in the heat of the day?

-Kate

 

[Point09]

Welcome to BYC, Point09. Very sorry to hear of your losses.

Are the roosters and younger hens separated?

No. They share the same coop, food and water.

Are they accessing something that might be poisoning them? Herbicide? Insecticide?

It is possible. There are a number of weedy areas around the farm. They may also be drinking from an old duck pond that has a lot of algae.


Have you felt their abdomens to see if they feel hard or unusually full and squishy?

I have held the sick ones when examining. I didn't notice anything unusual but I will verify tonight.


Have you noticed anyone walking upright like a penguin?

No.

How are their poops? The ones that are still with us, are they eating and drinking okay?

Some are drinking and eating for sure. But going through far less feed last 2 days.


When was the last time you wormed your chickens?

I have never wormed my flock. I have not seen worms. Yet.

When was the last time you treated them with Corid to prevent Coccidiosis (symptoms include the ones you describe, including death within 24 hours)?

8 months. Maybe 9. I will read up on this.

What part of the country are you from? There is a nasty outbreak of Avian Flu going around. I hope that's not it.

Eastern Iowa (!). I hope too. There were no cases reported in this part of the state.

Any other information you can provide will be helpful.

MrsB

 

[MrsBrooke]

Other factors to think about: The heat. An over heated, under hydrated bird will keel over quickly. Do they have access to plenty of shade? Fresh water? Do they have cool spots to get to in the heat of the day?

-Kate

That's a very good point... While you may think a pleasant day is 85 degrees, your chickens are wrapped in a down feather comforter all day!

MrsB

 

[Point09]

Other factors to think about: The heat. An over heated, under hydrated bird will keel over quickly. Do they have access to plenty of shade? Fresh water? Do they have cool spots to get to in the heat of the day?

-Kate

They have acces to water 24/7. They have access to shade. It seems likey that the heat had stressed them to some degree as I think it always will. They are all heat tolerant breeds selected for this climate.

As for cool spots, I see them laying on the barn dirt floor and other bare soil areas around the barn, such as under the boats.

 

[COChix]

Welcome to BYC, Point09. Very sorry to hear of your losses.

Are the roosters and younger hens separated?

Are they accessing something that might be poisoning them? Herbicide? Insecticide?

Have you felt their abdomens to see if they feel hard or unusually full and squishy?

Have you noticed anyone walking upright like a penguin?

How are their poops? The ones that are still with us, are they eating and drinking okay?

When was the last time you wormed your chickens?

When was the last time you treated them with Corid to prevent Coccidiosis (symptoms include the ones you describe, including death within 24 hours)?

What part of the country are you from? There is a nasty outbreak of Avian Flu going around. I hope that's not it.

Any other information you can provide will be helpful.

MrsB

Excellent questions all of which need to be answered.

Also have you brought any new birds in lately?

Do you have water fowl in the area?

What are you feeding and how much?

Are you providing fresh water daily? Have you cleaned out your water buckets/waterers?

 

[MrsBrooke]

You don't have to see worms for there to be worms... And worms WILL kill your chickens.

I would grab a packet of Corid 20% powder and a bottle of Valbazen liquid goat wormer from Tractor Supply as soon as possible.

I doubt algae water would do it, unless the pond has botulism in it, which is unlikely, but possible. For now, I would do everything possible to PREVENT them drinking from that water.

I would use the Corid first, as Coccidiosis will kill a chicken within 24 hours, where worms can be carried for much longer.

1.5 teaspoons (NO LESS!) per gallon of water for 5-7 days. Ensure this is the only water they can access during this time. Treat all the birds in the flock with it.

Hopefully, you will see marked improvement immediately.

If not, we'll try something else.

MrsB

(Edit to add: This is, of course, assuming that no poisons or toxins have been ingested.)

 

[Point09]

Excellent questions all of which need to be answered.


Also have you brought any new birds in lately?

Last new birds were in March.


Do you have water fowl in the area?

Yes. Lots.


What are you feeding and how much?

Layer pellets 16%. Country Lane. Checked already for recalls. I keep the feeder as full as possible. Some days it is empty before I refill but most days there is some left. they free range when I open the coop after work on weekdays and most of the day on weekends. the graze regular yard grass. The are right next to a hay field with alfalfa and clover. I rent that field and the farmer has not used pesticides or herbicides that I have seen. He also keeps chickens and knows I do so I don't suspect a problem there.

I feed them cracked corn almost every night. They have access to natural grit outside and a few scoops of oyster shell in the feed per week. They also get table scraps. This week was sweet corn cobs, stale bread and zucchini rind.

Are you providing fresh water daily? Have you cleaned out your water buckets/waterers?

Plenty of fresh water. I don't scrub/bleach the waterer every day. A good rinse usually. Perhaps time to re-evalute this practice.

 

[MrsBrooke]

I highly recommend oxine. You can order it online. It kills *everything,* yet is safe enough to put in their water to drink.

Check it out!

MrsB