Lethargic young chicken "second to drop"???

[Anona06]

Hello please help!

I have 6 hens, all hatched in my incubator around 7 months ago. All outside doing really well - all the things chickens should be doing but not laying yet (UK Spring not sprung yet!) . Until 3 days ago I noticed one hen looking very sluggish, uninterested and just about keeping up with the flock. No other signs at all of ill health, eating, drinking all fine. We found her dead yesterday - no idea why. Well this happens from time to time with no explanation. Until today we noticed another hen behaving in the same way, she has gone back to the coop with the others and we will check later to make sure she has roosted with the others OK. I'm now starting to worry if this is some kind of decease or virus? Having kept hens for around 6 years now and never having had this kind of problem before I'm starting to wonder if the whole flock could die!

Any advise would be great.

Anona

 

[cafarmgirl]

Do you have a vet who could do a necropsy if another passes? It is concerning when there are multiple deaths in a short time and it would be good if you could pin point what's going on.

It's hard to know where to start otherwise, especially if they show few or no symptoms other then lethargy just before passing. Watch and listen to them closely for any odd breathing noises that could indicate respiratory disease. I wouldn't think, at their young age, that they'd have a heavy parasite load but you could deworm them if you haven't already. Coccidiosis can produce the symptoms you described but usually by their age they have immunity to what's in their own environment. Unless any new birds have been brought in. If you think it's a possibility it certainly doesn't hurt to treat for it and at least rule it out.

 

[Anona06]

Hi,

I'm about to worm them this week, but no other symptoms of worms are present. I will phone the vet tomorrow and ask, but I think my vet is more a cat and dog vet not chickens! I will have to find one in the area.

Fingers crossed for the sick one.

Many thanks

 

[Anona06]

Other chicken just fine, no signs of illness and the whole flock the same! Wormed this passed week and all looking good, getting 6 eggs a day now spring has finally sprung in the UK.