Large number of birds suddenly died

[Desp]

A friend of mine had 25 Rhode Island Reds, they've been at egg laying age for about 3 months now. Yesterday morning he put all 25 in the chicken tractor we made (which they go in every day) and left. He came back that evening to find 15 of the 10, laying dead in a circle pattern around the watering bucket. Their necks were bent back extremely far, like they were trying to look at their backside. The other 10 chickens were walking around like normal...

Can a dirty watering bucket cause chickens to suddenly die? He noticed afterwards it wasn't as clean as it could have been, with some mold in it. He was also wondering if too high concentration of oregano oil could kill them? They weren't exhibiting signs of sickness previously, and for all 15 to suddenly die within the same 6 hours, in a circle seems really strange, also wondering why the other 10 weren't effected if it was something in the water.

Other things to look for?

 

[realsis]

I believe birds can get algae poisoning. I looked in my health book and it says symptoms are neck extended and curved backward until head almost touches back. so I think we found what killed them. defiently sounds like algae poisoning! the others will die too if he does not get rid of the algae. the symptoms match perfectly. hope this helps. you need to contract him immediately and let him know.

 

[Desp]

That has to be it!

Thanks a lot for your help, I'll definitely let him know.

 

[realsis]

your welcome when I looked it up in my chicken Heath book and saw those symptoms were EXACTLY the same as the odd positions you described the birds to be in I knew then it absolutely HAD to be algae poisoning! I really hope we can stop it before any more losses! very happy to be of help. good luck and God bless.