Hens dying one by one - no symptoms?

[Squirrelgirl88]

Thursday night when we put the flock to bed, one 8 month old Golden Comet would not go to roost. She got into a nest box and just stood there. I knew she was not right, by morning she had died. No marks on her, no nasal discharge, nothing.

Tonight, a three year old red sex link is doing the same thing. Her crop is empty, she will not eat or drink, I know she will be dead by morning. Again, no wounds, eyes are clear, no nasal discharge. She let me pick her up, and I've never been able to handler her like this before.

What do I look for? We have 8 other hens ranging in age from 8 months to three years. All in the same barn, no change of food, no new hens have been added since the 8 month olds came this summer.

I'm in Ohio, it's been cold here, but they have a heated water supply, and we have been keeping the wood stove going to take the chill off in the barn.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Lisa202]

I had 2 silkies just up and die within 4 days of each other for no reason. If they were acting weird the night before, I didn't notice. I haven't had any problem since. Hopefully someone comes up with an answer for you, but if not, hopefully it's just something that happened without any other problems.

 

[Suzie]

Have you treated them for lice/mites and worms? These problems which can easily kill birds are not always visible/evident until it is too late for remedial action.

I am so sorry to hear of your losses.

Suzie

 

[Squirrelgirl88]

I have not treated them for anything because up until Thursday everyone was fine. I have Valbazen and can treat the remaining flock tomorrow. Does anyone know if it will hurt a healthy bird to treat them for worms?

 

[Suzie]

I would go ahead and treat them with the Valbazen... it seems to be a good wormer - it would also be a good idea to treat them with permethryn for any lice/mite infestation too - also it is advisable to give them a probiotic yoghurt a day or two after completing the worming dose.

Good luck!

Suzie

 

[nelsonalisha1982]

I had a hen, she was sitting on her eggs. I noticed all 13 eggs had hatched, but it's been pretty cold at night, and lots of roaming predators, so like usual I got the hen and all the babies and went to put them in a warm dry pen. I grabbed some hay put them all in the pen and turned around and the hen was just laying there head down. I picked her up and she died right in my hands. No warning no symptoms other than when I was holding her gathering the chicks she pooped and it was runny and smelled horrible, anyone ever have this happen or any suggestions?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I had a hen, she was sitting on her eggs. I noticed all 13 eggs had hatched, but it's been pretty cold at night, and lots of roaming predators, so like usual I got the hen and all the babies and went to put them in a warm dry pen. I grabbed some hay put them all in the pen and turned around and the hen was just laying there head down. I picked her up and she died right in my hands. No warning no symptoms other than when I was holding her gathering the chicks she pooped and it was runny and smelled horrible, anyone ever have this happen or any suggestions?

I'm sorry to hear your hen died.
Without necropsy, it would be hard to know what happened.
If you still have the body, your state lab can perform diagnostics for you https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Did she have a full crop too and possibly aspirated and fluids come out of her beak? How long were you holding her, did she struggle a lot? Any lice or mites?

Have you set up a brooder for your chicks?

 

[nelsonalisha1982]

I'm sorry to hear your hen died.
Without necropsy, it would be hard to know what happened.
If you still have the body, your state lab can perform diagnostics for you https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Did she have a full crop too and possibly aspirated and fluids come out of her beak? How long were you holding her, did she struggle a lot? Any lice or mites?

Have you set up a brooder for your chicks?

No mites, nothing leaking, nothing around eyes or mouth. She did , like I said squak at me twice and kind of pecked at me, which I expected, but didn't really put up a big fuss, which I do expect in the new moms. And yes I brought the chicks inside with a heat lamp.

 

[nelsonalisha1982]

No mites, nothing leaking, nothing around eyes or mouth. She did , like I said squak at me twice and kind of pecked at me, which I expected, but didn't really put up a big fuss, which I do expect in the new moms. And yes I brought the chicks inside with a heat lamp.

And I do still have her body

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Maybe give some sugar water and hope it helps. And treat for worms what do the bottom of her feet look like is there bumble foot? Idk if what could be wrong do this is happening to you