Help! Listless, lethargic this morning, dead this evening....

[K7 Menagerie]

I have been out of town for a few days, with a friend taking care of my chickens twice each day for me. I have a temporary coop set up in my garage, with 4 hens that are 6 months old, and 2 that are 4 months old. No free ranging, too many predators out here. They have shavings on the floor, and two big roosts with plenty of room for all. They are fed layer crumbles, with a hanging feeder, yogurt, fresh greens, and have plenty of fresh water. There is a cat in my garage, and rodents are not an issue.

So, the problem. My friend called me this morning and said one of the younger girls was listless and lethargic. No other symptoms. She had been fine last evening, no problems. I arrived home this afternoon, and she was dead.

All the others seem to be healthy, eating and drinking, no signs of worms. As a precaution, I added tetracycline to their water. I don't know what else to do, or what could have caused this. Please help!

 

[Bama chick]

I'm so sorry for your loss.
Your post is almost identical to mine. My Lovey was fine one day and gone in just a few hours. 24 hours later and I'm still crying. The replys I have gotten have been a great deal of comfort. Sometimes chickens just die for no reason we understand. She was well taken care of and lived a great life. Watch the others closely.

 

[chookchick]

Do you have it in you to do a necropsy? Too young for eggbound, could she have had coccidiosis? If you suspect a disease, stick her in the fridge and see if you can arrange a state lab necropsy. If it is too late for that, keep an eye on the others (check poo, crops, vents, skin etc..). I wouldn't medicate, worm, etc.. until you have a positive diagnosis and know what you are treating for, could cause more harm than good.