Lethargic

[Agapehomestead]

We lost two chickens about a week apart, but it’s been a month since they passed. One we noticed being stand offish and so we watched her a little, then one morning she was still sleeping in the coop in the morning. I isolated her and made her scrambled egg, but she was gone by noon. The night another chicken in a different flock, but close by, couldn’t stand. We isolated her and nursed her about a week before she was gone. Both were severely underweight when we got to them, but it was hidden by their feathers. Now, I have a hen that seemed stand offish and not running to the food so I am worried and isolated her. She ate most of a scrambled egg last night. This morning I check on her and she has feathers in the cage…could she just be weird if she’s starting to molt? Should I deworm all my chickens and put her back with the flock? I have injectable ivermectin…I could treat them in their water. Any advice would be great.

Edited to add that they are moved around in poultry netting and so have fresh ground.

 

[azygous]

If another chicken dies or is close to death, I highly urge you to seek an animal testing lab for a necropsy. Refrigerate, don't freeze the body until you can drive it or ship it to a lab.

If you provide your location, we can help you find a lab.

This could be an avian virus or coccidiosis or something in the water. Are you on unfiltered well water or is fracking occurring near you?

 

[Agapehomestead]

We are in unfiltered well water, but there’s no fracking near by. I did treat them for cocci after the second chicken was ill. I’m in WV.

 

[azygous]

If your well water is high in iron, it can promote bacteria. It might be wise to have your health department test a sample. It might not hurt humans and large animals, but it takes very little to affect chickens.

 

[Eggcessive]

WV state vet does not perform necropsies unfortunately. Neighboring states will, but not sure they will for a chicken from out of state. Many people do home necropsies on their chickens that die. Internal laying masses, cancer, fatty liver diseases are some of the things I have seen. Many hens will suffer reproductive disorders or cancer by 3 years of age. Crop disorders or gizzard problems can also cause weight loss.