HELP!!! My chickens are dying....

[lavalamp009]

Also, I should add. When transporting the chickens I felt a huge lump on the front of their chests. Naturally I thought it was the crop, where food is stored. However, this morning I noticed on the two black Shumen hens their crops were still full before feeding, could they be tumors?

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Ok, I have to go to work unfortunately ha... However, I did examine the vent of the deceased bird. I found just one bug, it looked like it could be 1 of 3 things....Tick, a large mite, or a small beetle. Is it common to only find one bug? If so what could it be? I havent been able to catch a chicken today to check their combs. But like I said spots eem to be growing on the Black Shumen. Could this be mites as well??

That sounds more like a bug that crawled onto the bird after it died. Mites are very small.
It would be helpful if you could post some pictures of the black spots on the combs. The Mareks (or whatever they have) will lower their resistance to mites and cause other problems. I suspect the crops not emptying are caused by the same thing. Slow crop can turn into sour crop, which is also life threatening, so keep monitoring that as well.

Sorry to hear you lost another one.

 

[Eggcessive]

If the body was kept refrigerated in a plastic bag, it could still be sent to your state vet. Ticks can transmit diseases (spiroketosis) in chickens, so I would inspect some other birds later. spiroketosis can cause many symptoms including green diarrhea and sometimes paralysis. Possibly think about treating your coop with permethrin 10 spray, safe for chickens, but don’t use if you keep bees. Here is some reading about spiroketosis:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/140/spirochaetosis/

 

[HenniesInMyHeart]

Also, I should add. When transporting the chickens I felt a huge lump on the front of their chests. Naturally I thought it was the crop, where food is stored. However, this morning I noticed on the two black Shumen hens their crops were still full before feeding, could they be tumors?

Okay, because of the tumors I am much more suspicious of Marek's being the culprit than anything else. I hope you can get that necropsy and I pray some of your birds will be okay! I am so sorry for your losses. This is a scary and devastating situation and my heart goes out to you. Keeping you and your chooks in my thoughts and prayers! <3

 

[lavalamp009]

So heres the best shot I could get. Talked with locals at TSC, they may think it is a diet issue along with the new environment. Have them on vitamins, extra protein, oils etc... Ill try to catch later n take a better picture

 

[Wishing4Wings]

So heres the best shot I could get. Talked with locals at TSC, they may think it is a diet issue along with the new environment. Have them on vitamins, extra protein, oils etc... Ill try to catch later n take a better picture

That could be a mild case of fowl pox.
Can you look inside the mouth to see if it has any lesions?
Did the hen that just died have black spots?

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Tonight for the first time I noticed on their combs they have tiny black specs all through out. Not big enough to be pox I don't think. I noticed on all 3 breeds not jus the Black Shumen.

Just reread your first post. If they all have black spots, I think you need to look into avian pox. I don't know what could cause spots like that on all your birds.
Hope someone else will know.

 

[Eggcessive]

It was cold weather when the OP noticed black spots. Pictures would help to tell fowl pox from pecking.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Ok, I have to go to work unfortunately ha... However, I did examine the vent of the deceased bird. I found just one bug, it looked like it could be 1 of 3 things....Tick, a large mite, or a small beetle. Is it common to only find one bug? If so what could it be? I havent been able to catch a chicken today to check their combs. But like I said spots eem to be growing on the Black Shumen. Could this be mites as well??

Also, I should add. When transporting the chickens I felt a huge lump on the front of their chests. Naturally I thought it was the crop, where food is stored. However, this morning I noticed on the two black Shumen hens their crops were still full before feeding, could they be tumors?

So heres the best shot I could get. Talked with locals at TSC, they may think it is a diet issue along with the new environment. Have them on vitamins, extra protein, oils etc... Ill try to catch later n take a better picture

The black spots look like pecking wounds to me, some could be a few fly specks since the spots seem to be increasing and if your weather is getting warmer. It never hurts to give them a thorough going over, even inside the beak as suggested by @Wishing4Wings

You mention the crops are still full in the morning before feeding. Crop issues can be a symptom of an underlying illness or condition, but re-check the crops in the a.m. before they eat/drink, if they are still full then determine which type of crop problem you have
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/impacted-slow-and-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments

Getting a fecal float is always a good idea to rule out internal parasites.

 

[lavalamp009]

Ok, I talked with a local "expert", the lady at my local TSC, ha.. After doing more research and stepping back from the ledge (mareks disease), we both think it may be imbalanced diets along with loads of stress from the move. I have increased protein in take, added electrolytes to water, and providing more protein. Will keep updated for those that care!

I also have contacted my states agricultural department, results need to be sent to our vet, so if another one passes away I am ready to send in for necropsy.

Thank you all for your help!

PS... Black spots are a new thing. I just started noticing them this week within the change.