I came home today to find my roughly 8 month old Americauna rooster dead in the coop. We had been away for the night, but had a friend checking on them. We are not sure if it was an accidental thing or not. He was below the ladder and his neck felt very long, loose and flimsy (almost like when a bird hits the window). This was very upsetting. We buried Clyde in the chicken cemetery. And that is where the frustration comes. I started with chickens 4 months ago and in that time I have lost 8 of the 30 total birds I have had. I got them all from the same place ( and they don't have any problems to speak of). I have gotten the birds when they are around 2-3 months old. The first chicken I lost I think died of cocci (barred rock hen). Blood, fluffy, weak and then died. I treated the whole flock for this. The next one (RIR hen) seemed similar but not really. No bloody stool, but weak and fluffy. Sick one day gone the next. The next one (Tiny my wonderful little buff orpington en) I came home and the chicken that was healthy and active in the morning was now dead in the corner. Remember none of these birds are old. So far they are all around 3 months old or so. We have a break for a bit now. A few weeks or maybe a month. Then in 24 hours I loose two. One (columbian hen) who was nearing laying age and had been quiet but mostly seemed to be avoiding the roosters. She became weaker one day and gone the next. That morning after burying her I noted my 5 month old Silverlaced Whydnott was looking fluffy and slow. She was normally full of pep. I isolated her and she was dead the next day too. I am very frustrated and feeling like a terrible owner for sure by now. People are telling me they never lose birds but have no answers. Vets don't seem helpful. Not their "area of expertise". Well for about another month everything seems great. Everyone is doing well. But this last week I have buried 3. The first one (an Australorp hen ) did not return to perch last saturday night. I looked everywhere for her. I thought maybe something had gotten her. We live near a river and have hawks and eagles sometimes. Seemed unlikely since she is bigger but no Aussie Girl. About 20-24 hours later she returns in a frantic state. I have no idea where she got to. But she rocked and panted and tried to avoid the other chickens. She ate and drank and perched, but again the next day she was very stressed looking. That afternoon she was dead. Two days later my little columbian I found flattened into the litter but still alive. This little chicken had been active, but had never grown since I had gotten her 3 months prior. I assumed maybe a genetic or failure to thrive. Amazingly she lived for about 12 hours after I found her nearly lifeless in the coop. Died in my arms. And then today my first rooster and the only rooster I meant to have... Clyde!!! So I am feeling like a failure at chicken raising. It does not really seem like a disease since the situations all seem different and the time frame is long for most diseases. They have a wonderful, safe coop with lots of feed and fresh water. They free range in our yard whenever we are home. We do not use any chemicals or pesticides on our property. Can this really just be bad luck or am I overlooking something . I know this seems like quite the story, but that is why I am getting so frustrated. I think I will wait till next spring before I get any new girls for the flock. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
