I have about 50 chickens of varying age and breed, mostly Brahmas. Occasionally one gets sick and dies, no matter what I try. When I say occasionally, I mean sometimes one in six to eight months or, as right now, two in one week. Is this normal? Should I be looking for something? They are free range chickens. I turn the shavings in the coops weekly and scrape poop boards daily. Food is dry and fresh. Water is clean with ACV added. Treats range from fresh fruits and veggies to stale bread, pasta, and yogurt.
Of the two chickens who have been sick this week, one was about 8 weeks old. One day he looked a little "puffed up," the next day he died. The other one is about 18 weeks old, a pullet. She has diarrhea and is not eating. No wheezing. Poop is white and liquid. She had no noticeable symptoms until two days ago and still has no real symptoms other than not eating and diarrhea. By the way, she and the one who died yesterday were not cooped together and pretty much stayed separate from each other while free ranging as they weren't members of the same "flock." The other eight who were cooped with the one that I lost are fine, and so are the other 10 in the flock with this sick pullet.
Another contributing factor - it has rained almost every day for the last couple of weeks, so I wonder if that is a factor. Some of these guys just don't know enough to go in out of the rain!
Of the two chickens who have been sick this week, one was about 8 weeks old. One day he looked a little "puffed up," the next day he died. The other one is about 18 weeks old, a pullet. She has diarrhea and is not eating. No wheezing. Poop is white and liquid. She had no noticeable symptoms until two days ago and still has no real symptoms other than not eating and diarrhea. By the way, she and the one who died yesterday were not cooped together and pretty much stayed separate from each other while free ranging as they weren't members of the same "flock." The other eight who were cooped with the one that I lost are fine, and so are the other 10 in the flock with this sick pullet.
Another contributing factor - it has rained almost every day for the last couple of weeks, so I wonder if that is a factor. Some of these guys just don't know enough to go in out of the rain!