Hens suddenly dying after fox attack on flock

[Torie Wilkinson]

Hi there

Over this summer we’ve had a fox take down a hen slowly one at a time. The last fox kill was 2 weeks ago but the ones who survived suddenly became unwell. They lost a a lot of weight and all their condition and stopped eating. Starting hiding in bushes and would not roost in coop. Over the past week we have not come to let them out in the morning and 2 of the remaining 3 have passed away on their own. I’m trying to work out if a disease has taken over the flock or it’s trauma based? They had seriously decreased their eating but just yesterday the one who died this morning was engaged w the kids while feeding worms from the soil and was seemingly fine! Now this morning she’s passed this is my first flock so I hve no idea! Any wisdom? Thank you x

 

[Torie Wilkinson]

Also just read about rodents passing disease, we had a rat a couple of months ago at they have been loosing their condition since then.. this seems like it could be the culprit! X

 

[DLA]

I'm sorry you lost chickens. That's always tough to deal with. Repeated stress from predator attacks will take it's toll making them more susceptible to various diseases. If they were refusing to roost in the coop then they didn't feel safe or comfortable there. You may want to check for pests such as mites or chicken lice (which can seriously wear down chickens over time) and reinforce the coop so predators (rats included) cannot get in. If you saw one rat then there are always more. A secure coop, a secure run or a portable electric fencing unit or a secure chicken tractor should help to keep the fox from taking any more.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Also check for snakes. Are you collecting fewer eggs than you think you should? Is there an unusual, strong, foul smell in the coop that's new? Have you been getting soft shell or no shell eggs? - a sure sign of stress. Have you wormed recently? Take a stool sample to your vet (any vet) and request a float sample for worms.