Looking for some thoughts about my experience with my flock. I have a mixed flock of 14 birds, 11 months old, including Rhode Island, Easter Eggers, and Black Copper Marans. All were purchased from a local breeder at about 10 days old, and all received Marek’s vaccine. They have a coop and a fully enclosed run with sand and pine shavings. The feed comes from a local grain mill. They have free access to feed, water, treats, and veggies. Overall, each chicken lays about 5 eggs per week. They are kept in the run area and don’t free-range.
This is my second flock; I lost the first one to a fox around year 4. As with most in our area, it was cold, with lots of snow and wind, but the coop and run kept them protected.
Over the past few months, I’ve experienced several deaths that I find hard to explain.
They happen in different ways: Sometimes we find one dead in the run with no signs beforehand or trauma. I understand they’re good at hiding symptoms—no swollen eyes, no nasal discharge, no breathing issues, and normal poop. This has happened three times.
Other times, a chicken develops a limp that, after a few days, worsens to the point where it can’t walk, and it dies within a few days. When this occurs, we move the bird to a sick coop to isolate it from the rest of the flock. This has happened four times in the past six months.
Initially, we thought vitamin deficiency might be a cause, so we used Rooster Booster and B-12, both for the sick chicken and occasionally added to the flock’s water. However, we saw no positive results. At no point have more than one bird shown symptoms at the same time.
In total, over the past six months, I’ve lost seven birds, and I am still unsure why this is happening or what can be done to prevent further losses.
If any additional info is needed, please let me know.
Thank you for your time.
This is my second flock; I lost the first one to a fox around year 4. As with most in our area, it was cold, with lots of snow and wind, but the coop and run kept them protected.
Over the past few months, I’ve experienced several deaths that I find hard to explain.
They happen in different ways: Sometimes we find one dead in the run with no signs beforehand or trauma. I understand they’re good at hiding symptoms—no swollen eyes, no nasal discharge, no breathing issues, and normal poop. This has happened three times.
Other times, a chicken develops a limp that, after a few days, worsens to the point where it can’t walk, and it dies within a few days. When this occurs, we move the bird to a sick coop to isolate it from the rest of the flock. This has happened four times in the past six months.
Initially, we thought vitamin deficiency might be a cause, so we used Rooster Booster and B-12, both for the sick chicken and occasionally added to the flock’s water. However, we saw no positive results. At no point have more than one bird shown symptoms at the same time.
In total, over the past six months, I’ve lost seven birds, and I am still unsure why this is happening or what can be done to prevent further losses.
If any additional info is needed, please let me know.
Thank you for your time.
