Hypothermia?

[centrarchid]

Bluish to purplish coloration of comb and wattle can be indicative of something wrong with blood. Poisons I do not deal with could do it but something I have expereince can also cause such a change and death, high worm burden. Assume for now worm load of intestinal tract is high and treat accordingly. I can sometimes see changes in comb coloration before weigh loss catches my eye.

 

[casportpony]

Bluish to purplish coloration of comb and wattle can be indicative of something wrong with blood. Poisons I do not deal with could do it but something I have expereince can also cause such a change and death, high worm burden. Assume for now worm load of intestinal tract is high and treat accordingly. I can sometimes see changes in comb coloration before weigh loss catches my eye.

Here is one with a purplish comb a few days before he died.

 

[Lskellenger]

We have taken Kathy's advise and will be sending three chickens to OSU for analysis. It wasn't as expensive as we thought, and we need to know before we proceed in reestablishing a flock. We cannot make the same mistakes twice with precious lives. We did speak to Dr Jim Hermez, a poultry specialist at OSU, and he offered that there were five causes that would cause such devastation. Malnutrition from feed rations, no supplements (which saddens me as this was not indicated in the books I have read as essential), Avian flu, New Castles (he said was very rare), mold or infested feed, . He concurred that it was not from cold. We so appreciate everyone's thoughtful advise and input in this sad time. We will post the pathologists findings as soon as we receive them so we can solve this mystery for everyone. Please know that our dear rooster Elvis has recovered and is relaxing in the barn with a delicious meal of "people food" as we do not trust our feed at this time (Bananas, pears, apples, corn on the cob) He is being admired by admired by our resident pheasant and is doing well.

 

[casportpony]

Glad you're able to do that. FWIW, the rooster pictured in my earlier post succumbed to Marek's.

-Kathy

 

[schnebbles]

I am no expert, but I doubt it was malnutrition or anything like that. I got chickens this spring and have feed pretty much only off the shelf bag food and mine are fine (well, my flock ended up with Mareks but that's unrelated). They have the run of the yard usually but they are healthy with the exception of the Mareks. I've tried other food with them and they don't want anything to do with it. Weird chickens!

 

[crazychick26201]

So sorry for your loss. It sounds like you tried so hard to do everything right! Please don't give up on keeping chickens! I wish I could give some advice, but this is my first winter with chickens. If something happens to my girls, I would be devastated.

 

[pickinchicken]

I agree sounds like u have tried very hard. I only have been feeding mine layer food. Recently added oyster shell and this omega vitamin stuff mixed in for better eggs. They get treats like bread and bird seed and they do just fine. I have been giving them more treats and fruits and veggies now that the snow had kept them from free ranging the yard. Good luck in the future it really isn't normally that difficult.

 

[Eggcessive]

If using no supplements were going to kill a flock, I'm afraid that most of us would have no chickens. I'm glad that you are going to necropsy the birds, and am looking forward to the cause. Glad to hear that your boy Elvis is doing well. You sure have had an awful week--so sorry.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Bluish to purplish coloration of comb and wattle can be indicative of something wrong with blood. Poisons I do not deal with could do it but something I have expereince can also cause such a change and death, high worm burden. Assume for now worm load of intestinal tract is high and treat accordingly. I can sometimes see changes in comb coloration before weigh loss catches my eye.

Absolutely- I too have seen purple combs right before deaths from worms.

I am sorry for your losses.

 

[ten chicks]

What type of heat lamp are you using as certain lamps can give off fumes,basically gassing your birds(teflon coated lamps)make sure heat lamps are marked as safe for avians.