I have lost 4 hens in 3 days. HELP!

[scrappingmamahen]

I had 9 hens and one rooster. Of the hens, there were 5 Americanas and 4 Golden Comets. I am unsure of the breed of rooster. Of the Americanas, 4 out of 5 have died. The Golden Comets all appear to be in good health.
They are in a large dog cage when not out in the yard.
A little about what I can tell you (which, I am sorry, is not much, as we just started raising chickens with this batch!)
They are all Americana chickens, all about 6 months old.
They seemed to slow down and then suddenly weren't moving, just standing, trouble keeping eyes open. Not wanting to eat or drink.
Their symptoms only last 2 days and then death.
All others seem fine.
No signs of trauma.
There have been higher than normal temperatures, but kept them in the shade.
When sick it would peck the ground, pick up grass, and just drop it. Seemed to have trouble "chewing".
Their poop appears normal.
So far our only treatment has been just watching, separating sick from healthy as soon as possible. Trying to get them to drink when they won't themselves.
I prefer to treat them myself.
No pictures.
Large cage. with roosts.
Thanks,
Scrappingmamahen

 

[TheReidHomestead]

Sorry for your losses!

Do they have bloody poop? If so, suspect coccidiosis and treat with Corid. Do a search here for the dosage.

Do they have any other symptoms? Runny swollen eyes? Difficulty breathing? If so, probably a chronic respitory issue. Treat with Tylan or Denagard.

If you have five 6 mo old's in a dog crate, that's a wee bit crowded which can promote disease and ill health. You might want to give them more room. Ideally 4 sq ft per bird inside their "coop" and 10 sq ft per bird outside.

Good luck!

 

[scrappingmamahen]

No bloody poop. No labored breathing. No other symptoms than what I listed. We are moving them this week to a larger area.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

what are you using for bedding,not cedar- what are you feeding them and do they have access to grit?

 

[scrappingmamahen]

They have wood chips for bedding. Feeding them scratch feed. Not any grit yet. Do they need it at 6 months old?

 

[MED747]

What size grit for 2-6 month old birds

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
size #3 cherrystone grit

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Gosh it sure sounds like coccidiosis, but they are getting a little old for it unless immunocompromised (usual age is 8 weeks or less). You don't have to have bloody poo for it to be coccidiosis.
Here is a website so you can look at it if you wish:
https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=225

 

[scrappingmamahen]

ok, will get some of that...what else might I need?
Like I said, we are new at this. Just did what they told us at the Tractor store...
but we love our chickens and want them to be happy and healthy!

 

[scrappingmamahen]

wouldn't they have bloody poop? there is no blood, none at all. They just start slowing down and then after a day of that they just stop wanting to walk, eat, drink. Then they die. We have tried feeding them by hand and giving them water a half teaspoon at a time. That didn't help.