Is this normal? 3 year old Isa browns dropping....

[rbc-bow-chicka]

No idea if this is best suited to -'diseases/emergencies'... or just 'raising chickens'

I know that Isa girls generally do not have the lifespan of heritage breeds.

I lost one suddenly March 18 from what I thought was a crop issue.

Then 2 days ago, I noticed one standing off with the look of 'reproductive issues' and a really messy rear end. I hit with wormer, anticoccidial, and warm bath. She is no better.

TODAY... I found one girl not running for food and pooping out dark green... messy rear end... now just sitting in the sun with eyes closed whilst everyone else is running around chickening.

I am going to go worm them in the event that it is a 'simple fix'...

I guess my question is.... is this how they go... as in die? They are all from same batch of Hoover chicks, January 2022. Got 10, now down to 9....and probably 7 soon.

 

[FunClucks]

Every chicken is different. Reproductive issues are common. I have two ISA Brown, one golden comet, all about 3 yrs old, and none of them are laying at the moment, it's been several months since any of them laid. Thought we might lose the golden comet in December/January during a cold snap, but the weather got better, and she started acting better, but no eggs again yet. When she lays, one of my ISA Browns now has perpetually fragile (thin) egg shells - I just feed her eggs back to the flock as soon as she lays them - they won't withstand washing.

Enjoy your time with them as much as you can, treat for worms, coccidiosis, whatever condition they seem to have, and when they go, they go. Quickly and humanely culling a chicken once we know she is not going to improve is the last gift we give our beloved chickens.

 

[rbc-bow-chicka]

I agree. My husband keeps asking me, 'should I put her down?' And he knows I am the last person to ask that question of. I know the correct answer... but I'm also of the 'let me try!' cut of cloth, which the wrong cut of cloth with chickens. I try to be better... but I have a feeling we are going down a path now that I really have no choice but to let go sooner rather than later for the sake of the birds.

 

[FunClucks]

I agree. My husband keeps asking me, 'should I put her down?' And he knows I am the last person to ask that question of. I know the correct answer... but I'm also of the 'let me try!' cut of cloth, which the wrong cut of cloth with chickens. I try to be better... but I have a feeling we are going down a path now that I really have no choice but to let go sooner rather than later for the sake of the birds.

Sorry you're dealing with this. You're not alone, many of us have been there. Sending you supportive thoughts.

 

[rbc-bow-chicka]

I do appreciate it, thank you.