hen loss, what do you think it could be?

[cutiepieacres]

I started off with 7 buff orpington laying hens last year, they were doing great. Then one died and a couple months later another and another within 4 months or so we had lost 4 hens. The only sign was depression some weight loss and death within a week of the intial depression. Antibiotics and fluid therapy via lactated ringers and vitamins did nothing. I figured I just had gotten a weak batch of hatchery chickens as I have had chickens for years nothing like this has ever happened. I also keep bantam chickens directly on the other side of the fence with no issues.

I just got a trio of Cuckoo Marans and moved them into the pen the buffs had lived in, after cleaning it all out, for three weeks the Marans were great, but all of the sudden I noticed one maran acting slightly depressed though she was still up and around. I found her dead the other day......

I want to figure out what is going on, is the pen contaminated, or coincidence? keeping in mind that right on the other side of the fence are living 5 or 6 bantam chicken who have been and stayed healthy the whole time.

 

[yab]

sounds like the coop, maybe? have you disinfected it really well before each use?

 

[cutiepieacres]

I cleaned it out pretty well.

The other thing I wonder since the other chickens can be right there, they can reach through the fence into this pen which makes me think its somthing not "catchy" is that maybe its a stressful location, maybe not enough wind breaks or something?

They have a and outside run with a inside coop and nesting boxes...The other chickens next to this pen dont have nearly the shelter but do better??

 

[MissJames]

Quote:
Geez,that's distressing.
Do you get your feed locally? Could the mill be contaminated? Sterilize the feeders and waterers?
Enough ventilation in the coop? A roost?
I always think of things like contaminated grit or food.
I lost a rooster recently,quite suddenly,no symptoms .It's a puzzle.

 

[enola]

If I had that many chickens die with the same symptoms, I would be getting an autopsy. Or if possible, taking them to the vet when I noticed the first symptoms.

 

[needmorechickens!]

Is there any kind of plant or leaves dropping into the coop or run area that could be making them sick?
~Rebecca

 

[cutiepieacres]

you know I have thought about a necropsy but Ive got to get them down to the county office in a timely manner and I live pretty far out so it just hasnt been an option as of yet. Not to mention they charge an arm and a leg to do so. So far all the chickens I have lost arent worth the fees, sorry chickens. But now with the GCM I am worried.

For now I have taken all chickens out of that pen and I guess I plan to rebuild elsewhere and just think that that pen is either stressful or contaminated somehow.

The only thing I hadnt thought of is a toxin of some sort, ill have to look around because the pen is on an end so that would leave it open to a possible source that the rest of the pens couldnt get to...

I have been buying walmart feed to save a bit since it is quite a bit cheaper however I wont feed the walmart goat brand to my goats ever due to a lack of quality, the chickens have always been sort of a back yard novelty that laid eggs, so I havent ever gotten real in depth into nutrition etc. I knew enough to keep a couple pets but now getting more into the breeding and show stock I guess I am slightly behind the curve.......Maybe this feed though saving me money isnt quite quality??