Help! My chickens are dropping dead with no warning!

[Chicks 'n ducks]

Yes, I suspected Marek's but it doesn't seem exactly like it. Unfortunately we can not get a necropsy done on this bird because we leave for a trip very soon and it just won't work out. If I have another one die I will definitely get a necropsy.

 

[mixedUPturk]

It could be the flies that are killing them The only way to find out is to get a necropsy.

It could also be a marriage disease worms bacterial infection.... Respiratory disease... Any number of things.

Please invest in some Permethrin and spray daily to knock the flies down.

Martin's PERMETHRIN spray

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018
• 6
• flies lice mites permethrin

IMG_20180322_102709

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018

@mixedUPturk sound familiar to you?

I did contact somebody about a necropsy, but it is 70$ where I live and a lot of logistics. I might do it any way.

I 100% agree that a necropsy is vital in this case. No matter what it is u wont know 100% for sure until you get a necropsy by a professional. My necropsy was 50$ and ida spent Waaaay more for the peace of mind it offered me. I wouldve blamed myself the rest of my life if i hadnt found out the gnats did it.

@mixedUPturk Are you online?

They get in their airways and basically choke them to death.

No ma'am i was feeding all 6 of us

Right they can completely overwhelm a bird and suffocate it, they can take all the blood, Or the most common cause of death is toxemia, an anticoagulant in the gnats saliva is insanely deadly.

 

[Kiki]

Let it be known that the gnats that are killing this time of year look like flies.

 

[mixedUPturk]

Let it be known that the gnats that are killing this time of year look like flies.

YES except tiny.

 

[Chicks 'n ducks]

Right they can completely overwhelm a bird and suffocate it, they can take all the blood, Or the most common cause of death is toxemia, an anticoagulant in the gnats saliva is insanely deadly.

How do you protect your chickens?

 

[Chicks 'n ducks]

Also, I am a youth exhibitor through 4-H and have been preparing all year for the county fair this August... does this mean I shouldn't go?

 

[mixedUPturk]

How do you protect your chickens?

Depends on the cause of death dear. In the case of the gnats i used the permethrin sprays like Kiki showed you. I dont think its means you shouldnt go but that also depends on the cause of death. I have a thread and an article about it

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/author/mixedupturk.356238/

 

[Chicks 'n ducks]

When I went out this morning, I saw gnats AND flies.

 

[mixedUPturk]

When I went out this morning, I saw gnats AND flies.

That spray is worthwhile and not expensive

 

[Kiki]

Also, I am a youth exhibitor through 4-H and have been preparing all year for the county fair this August... does this mean I shouldn't go?

This means you should REALLY consider having a few of your live birds tested or really reconsider sending one for a necropsy.

This is exactly how diseases spread...(one way)...bringing ill birds around other birds.