Help.. Favorite Hen died today... another not lookin' so good....

[GinaSki]

I have a small flock of 7 , now 6 laying hens, mixed varieties... about 3-4 days ago I noticed that "reds" was not hanging with the girls when I let them out of thier yard into the WHOLE yard to hunt for worms....etc.. I have been watching carefully to see what is going on.... today... she could not stand... heavy breathing... looks of hard poo stuck to what remained of feathers on her nearly bear bottom... no prolapse... no vent issues, not egg bound, crop good... I have had her 2 years with no issues... and now it appears that one of the other girls is starting to just 'stand around'.. not eating.. dried poo stuck to bottom... not egg bound, no prolapse, etc..
'HELP .. I still have 4 good healthy girls left !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last edited by GinaSki (Today 4:45 pm)

 

[spook]

I would separate immediately and bring your other girls into a small pen to make sure you absolutely find out what is going on.
Have they been laying regularly? How is the feed, has it gotten wet? moldy? uhh....trying to think about what else.
I recently had a hen die from internal egg laying, but that is out because it would not happen to 2 of them at the same time.
Wish I could think of something more. Have they gotten into oil, salt, radiator fluid, mouse poison?
Hopefully someone can trouble shoot better then I!

hang in there!
Good wishes and healing thoughts!

 

[chickensioux]

What do you mean her "nearly bare bottom"? Has something gotten to her. Did the one that passed look as if something had gotten to her? I am so sorry for your troubles but need more info.
Can she poo?
What has she eaten?
Could she have gotten into something she wasn't supposed to eat?
Have they been dewormed?
What did her poo look like initially?
What type of plants do you have in your yard, could any of them be poisonous?