hens dying

[hcarol]

I've had 2 hens die today. The first had been acting a little strange for about 2 days, sitting around not being very active, then I found her dead the other one was acting the same way but for less than a day. Both of these hens were only about 18 months old. Also they had stopped laying almost 2 months ago. I had been getting an egg or 2 every few days but not sure who was laying, I have 5 hens all the same age, most recently I was getting even fewer eggs. I live in Ca and it has been hot this summer and I was told by numerous people that it was the heat that kept them from laying, it has cooled off over the last month but they still had not started laying normally. Another one of these hens has been acting funny for several days, sitting around not being active but so far she is hanging on. I also have some younger hens about 5 months old and one of them today started walking like she was drunk. I have isolated her but don't know what do about this. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what the problem is ?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Wow, so sorry for your loss.

I suggest refrigerating the body and sending for necropsy so you can find out what you might be facing. Here are some links to help with that...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures.799747/

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

Have you checked your place for anything toxic... moldy feed, automotive oil or other things?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Sorry for you losses. Where in CA are you? Anywhere near where they have the New Castle outbreak? 2x on the necropsy advice

 

[brook holt]

so sorry for your loss

 

[hcarol]

Sorry for you losses. Where in CA are you? Anywhere near where they have the New Castle outbreak? 2x on the necropsy advice

I live in Lemoore about 30 miles south of Fresno. I've never heard of New Castle.