Flock of chickens died

[Jerry4139]

We had a mixed breed of chickens, all around a 1 year old. We went out of town for a few days, left plenty of feed and water. We came home 3 days later to 5 dead chickens and the rooster in the process of dying. There were no marks,injury or signs of anything that would cause death. We have since lost 5 more and have 3 left.
Any ideas on a possible cause?

 

[Kiki]

What state are you in?
Was their waterer empty?

 

[The chicken nurd]

Did they have food and water when you came back and do they seem sick in anyway before they died

 

[The chicken nurd]

@Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock

 

[Jerry4139]

We are in Texas, so it's mid 60's now, waterer still over 1/2 full and clean. Fees wasn't full but plenty left and no sickness before we left

 

[Kiki]

We are in Texas, so it's mid 60's now, waterer still over 1/2 full and clean. Fees wasn't full but plenty left and no sickness before we left

These people/lab will tell you exactly why they died. If you are close enough to one of their three labs. You can bring your rooster in for a necropsy. Or you can refrigerate him when he passes and overnight him in a styrofoam ice chest.
https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/

 

[Jenbirdee]

oh no that is so sad I am so sorry! Are the live birds showing any symptoms of illness? Like lethargy or anything?

 

[Jerry4139]

No, not at this time

 

[FeatheredFriends&Horses2]

I'm so sorry! Sudden death of much of the flock in today's setting throws up red flags for high path avian influenza (HPAI) for me. It's a huge problem that the poultry industry has been struggling with for this past year. I hope this isn't the case, but I would highly recommend you contact a veterinarian to come test for HPAI. When waiting for the results, do not come into contact with any other people's chickens, or any other domesticated birds in general.
I also think it is important to understand the deal with HPAI. If they test positive, the state veterinarian will be informed as it is a reportable disease, and any surviving birds will have to be euthanized and disposed of according to the state veterinarian's instructions. I know this sounds harsh, and some people specifically do not report suspect flocks for this reason, but it really is extremely important to notify a vet if HPAI is suspected. This disease has a huge mortality rate in chickens and is highly contagious. The current outbreak started last spring and unfortunately, unlike past outbreaks, has lasted through the summer and is gaining more steam this winter. The quicker infected birds can be euthanized and properly disposed of, the better. The longer they stay around, the more likely another wild bird is to pick it up and infect another domestic flock. If you've seen egg prices in the stores right now, you know they are ridiculous. Part of this is certainly due to inflation, but HPAI is also having a huge impact on the amount of commercial laying hens producing right now, as several commercial flocks have been wiped out from contracting the disease. All this is to say that while it will be hard, please, please have your birds tested.

 

[Jerry4139]

Our chickens have not been exposed to other chickens or even birds. They are contained in a large coop and run.

How is the flu transferred?