I’m so worried about my flock

[lmdengler]

Last week when I was away one of the sex links hens died. I looked at her when I got home and it looked like she was pecked. This week I noticed a young barred rock hen was coughing and I took her out. She died today. Since May I’ve lost 5 chickens . What should I do?

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC!
We are glad you joined our flock.
Sorry for your losses. What symptoms are the rest showing today?

 

[lmdengler]

None at all. Everyone seems fine.

 

[Eggcessive]

If the body is fresh, refrigerate it and ship it off to your state vet on ice packs in a styrofoam cooler for a necropsy. Chickens can die occasionally from different causes, but you may have a disease going around. Look for tired or puffed up chickens, diarrhea, or other respiratory symptoms in your others. Sorry for your losses.

 

[micstrachan]

So sorry for your losses. If you don’t already, you might want to start regularly checking your flock closer. Chickens are prey animals and hide their symptoms until they are very sick. I had a chicken who did not show symptoms until she was quite thin and bony. She ended up with egg yolk peritonitis, and lived several more months, but eventually passed from something else. She was always a little weak after tge EYP. My point is, they may appear to be fine, but not be. Now I regularly check for:
•posture (tail up, no puffed feathers)
•walking body language (not limping or walking gingerly like they are sore)
•eye clarity and brightness
•comb color and plumpness
•weight by measure of breast muscle thickness... keel bone protruding sharply?
•abdomen overall feel (not swollen like a water balloon)
•vent cleanliness
•vocalizations
•poop - I constantly inspect poop (in fact, I’m about to post about it)
•eating and drinking normally
•laying normally
Now, granted, this has made me a little paranoid, but I think it’s important to be vigilant, since they hide illnesses so well.

 

[micstrachan]

Oh, and mites, fleas, and lice. I have not gotten good at this yet, but I know it’s very important. Good luck!

 

[Sara Ranch]

*hugs*

 

[lmdengler]

Thanks! I spend a lot of time with them. I am constantly cleaning and fussing with them. The only thing that has been different lately is I went away for a week. My husband was in charge but he said he didn't notice anything. I have contacted the NYS Department of Agriculture in case they want to inspect. The only chicken that appeared (in my opinion) to have any symptoms of a cold was the one that died last night. I don't know if she was showing signs of sickness during the time I was gone. I noticed it as soon as I went out the first day I came back. i was on a site for respiratory illness naturally thinking the worst. The only symptom she had was sneezing and sometimes a gack/cough - like she was clearing her throat. She shook her head from time to time. No runny eyes, swollen face, dull crop, snotty nose. Oh and I noticed open mouth breathing. I couldn't find any respiratory disease that DID NOT include the runny nose, eyes and swollen face that ALSO had her cough like symptoms.

I am going to go out and pick up each one and check their "weight". How can I check the poop for worms? Do I need to take it to the vet or is there a home test I can do?

 

[Sara Ranch]

Have you considered adding vitamins to the chicken's water? It would boost the immune system for the chickens in the flock.

 

[lmdengler]

I do. I add that package of vitamins and electrolytes you get from TSC. That's always in their water