I have lost 4 out of 4 hens that I bought as day olds 2 years ago. I've lost them gradually over a year so I initially thought it might have been a problem with where I bought them. They stopped laying eggs and 2-3 months later just went quiet for a day and then died, just like that. I've had other mixed breed hens and roosters that seem to be going fine, except for a young hen that died from a huge tumor near her ear recently. Again I thought this was unrelated. However, I have just had a friend's hen stay with us for 2 weeks and she seemed to be going well (& laying fine), then yesterday was very quiet and didn't do much then this morning she was dead! Obviously something is wrong but I don't know where to start! Thanks in advance for your help. Trish
If you lost 4 chickens over a year, I would send the next dead one for a necropsy. I would also be suspicious of Marek's. Keep an eye on the other ones, feel for their keel bone every week or so, and see if they waste away.
Labs by State: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/799747/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures -Kathy
