Help! 2 dead chickens in 2 weeks!

[pgy710]

I have (now) 36 Golden Comet hens- ~ 16 1 yr olds and 20 2 yr olds. About 10 days ago, found 1 1 yr old dead- no apparent problems, just dead. Definately not attacked- they have a very large secure 20 x 20 converted horse stall as home. All had been vaccinated prior to arriving here as pullets. Tonight went out to gather evening eggs, and found another 1 yr old sequestered in a corner, 1 leg extended, unable to move. I immediatedly isolated her, but within minutes she just closed her eyes and died. No signs of distress, breathing heavy- ANYTHING! No problems this morning- all the girls were moving well, chatting happily and eating. We live in Ohio, but the barn is (reasonably) warm- thermometer in the coop showed 45 degrees tonight- no problems in previous winters. Everyone is laying as expected, too. Any thoughts??

 

[theFox]

Did you check to see if they were egg bound?

 

[pgy710]

How do you do that? I can check the poor girl from tonight, but did not check the 1st one.

 

[SpeckledPullet]

I would also like to know how to check.

To the OP, I am sorry about your two girls.

 

[theFox]

You normally feel around for a stuck egg.

Do a search for egg bound and you'll get several descriptions of how to check for this.

If the bird is dead you can open her up and check to see if there is a fully developed egg with shell inside of her (there are generally a number of eggs in various states of development in a bird that is laying). You can also check the various organs for odd color, muscle tone etc....

I'm not saying this is the case, just one thing to check for.

The fact that you haven't provided a lot of information about the bird leading up to the death makes it hard to figure out what happened. Birds are prone to various heart related conditions (more so the meat strains, but the others also have problems at times).

 

[pgy710]

Thanks for the info- will open her up and check her out. Helps that Hubby is a former Coroner!

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
The bold part above makes me wonder- is there any chance you have some moldy feed down in the bedding or crevices? It causes neurological damage, which presents in a manner very similar to Marek's disease, i.e. the extended leg issue and paralysis. Since they were vaccinated, it could be the feed has gotten spilled, then damp and is causing the problem.

Or, there may be an ammonia buildup, very common in winter. As we stand much taller, we don't smell it. Try getting down to chicken level and sniffing.

Another possibility - do you have multiple feeders? Sometimes the lowest in the pecking order don't get enough to eat or drink.

Hope you can resolve the situation soon.