Had a hen die randomly day before yesterday. Woke up to another hen dead. Both died inside the coop. also have another henlimping? What’s going on?

[HollowOfWisps]

Based on what you are describing I would say that there is a 95%+ chance it is mold spores growing on the hay that is killing your chickens. Hay grows mold very easily especially when wet conditions are involved.

 

[SuperiorFarmsGirl]

1age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Both hens that died are 7-9 months or so just started laying eggs a month or so ago.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
All chickens in my flock seem to be acting normally minus another hen who has a slight limp?
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? Didn’t really? Except the one with a limp? The two who passed all were acting normally the day before.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms? N/a
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. No, looks like the died their sleep. First one had a leg splayed out? Like it fell from roosting bar
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. Don’t know?
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. They eat a mixed feed, it’s in a large feeder. Doesn’t apprear moldy or anything. Get fresh water daily.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. normal as far as I can tell.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? Just started rooster booster powder that’s added to their feed
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? Waiting in the agricultural lab to contact me back about a necropsy


11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
No picture. They appeared normal looking when I found them. No bloody or wound marks.


12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
They are in a large coop. Where they can escape the weather. They also have a large attached run. It has been rather muddy here and they have had hay in their run.
I’m thinking I need to clean it all out and start with fresh pine shaving bedding inside the coop? That’s what I used previously. Is it safe to clean out and start fresh without knowing the cause of death for these two hens? Or should I wait on necropsy?

Thank you everyone for all your help I’m definitely new to this. I have been a lucky chicken owner of not having any issues until now (knock on wood )

 

[SuperiorFarmsGirl]

Based on what you are describing I would say that there is a 95%+ chance it is mold spores growing on the hay that is killing your chickens. Hay grows mold very easily especially when wet conditions are involved.

The first chicken died before I added hay though. They did have a little hay inside the three nesting boxes but that’s it. So u less that little bit of hay in the nesting boxes could have been the culprit?

 

[azygous]

Yes, some molds do cause toxic poisoning, but some of the same anaerobic conditions can harbor botulism toxins, too. They both produce lameness at first, and death can occur within 24 hours of a serious exposure, usually ingesting insects that live in the anaerobic lower strata of deep bedding. A chicken can be saved if treated with an antibiotic at first symptoms.

Chickens occasionally may kill another if they are seriously fighting. But usually, a chicken dies of some other cause, has an open wound, and the others will then cannibalize it. You do not have to worry about turning your back and having the flock all turn on one another.

Dig down into the bedding you suspect of being contaminated with mold. If you find black slime and if it has a bad odor, you may then have these anaerobic (lack of oxygen) that causes these toxins.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

The first chicken died before I added hay though. They did have a little hay inside the three nesting boxes but that’s it. So u less that little bit of hay in the nesting boxes could have been the culprit?

Hay in nesting boxes could definitely mold. We used to store hay in a fully enclosed barn and I would still make sure to inspect each bale of hay for mold before using it. Even though the hay was never directly exposed to the elements once baled I would still find bales here and there that had mold.

 

[SuperiorFarmsGirl]

Ok, is it safe to clean the entire coop out and start fresh? I’d hate to stir up stuff and make the situation worse. If there is mold in the coop what do you u cleaning the coop with

 

[azygous]

A diluted bleach solution or Oxine will kill mold. Do evacuate the chickens and you wear a mask to tackle this.

Use your sense of smell. Do you detect an unpleasant odor in the coop? Use your sense of sight. Do you see any black compacted hay? Is the odor stronger when you get near it?

Humans underestimate their sense of smell to give them important information. If something is rotten, it usually has a bad odor that will repel you. Fresh things have pleasant odors. Pat attention.

 

[FunClucks]

Ok, is it safe to clean the entire coop out and start fresh? I’d hate to stir up stuff and make the situation worse. If there is mold in the coop what do you u cleaning the coop with

I'd get it out of there before you lose more chickens. Starting fresh is a great idea.

How to do that? I'm not sure about that. Here's a couple options to investigate. These are on my go-to list when I need to do that.

Soap and water for removable/washable items
Bleach water
Virkon S
Oxine

Might want to make a temporary enclosure in their run to keep them out of the weather while you clean out the coop (tarp over some pallets or fenceposts? Pallets on the ground?), and start early in the morning so you'll have enough time. Good luck!!!

ETA: I cross-posted with Azygous. Azygous is the expert! Definitely wear a dust mask and take a full shower after!!!

 

[SuperiorFarmsGirl]

I'd get it out of there before you lose more chickens. Starting fresh is a great idea.

How to do that? I'm not sure about that. Here's a couple options to investigate. These are on my go-to list when I need to do that.

Soap and water for removable/washable items
Bleach water
Virkon S
Oxine

Might want to make a temporary enclosure in their run to keep them out of the weather while you clean out the coop (tarp over some pallets or fenceposts? Pallets on the ground?), and start early in the morning so you'll have enough time. Good luck!!!

ETA: I cross-posted with Azygous. Azygous is the expert! Definitely wear a dust mask and take a full shower after!!!

Thank you!