losing layers

[Millie Lover]

Hello fellow fowl friends.
I've surfed the forums for years and decided to join because I have a problem.
I've been doing chickens for over 40 years now but this one has me worried.
I have about 35 assorted layers and about 35 millie d'fleurs which I adore, I just raise them for fun.
SO my concerns are... the layers appear to be 'stuck' in a molt for a month. I changed their feed to a molting feed and got vitamins to add to their food. Within a week they have gone from 2-3 eggs a day to 9 and their feathers appear to be growing in.
But 2 weeks ago I lost 2 of the older layers, no concern really. Then last week I lost a layer hen that was only 1 yo. Then yesterday a layer hen that I just bought in the spring. The Millies seem to be fine, even though they do interact every afternoon. The only symptoms are they appear to be pale within 12 hours of dieing.
Coccidiosis? Worms? Should I treat for both?

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

I'm sorry for the loss of your hens!

You might want to post your question in our Emergency Forum. The first thing asked will be "What do you feed them?" But you've obviously been feeding them well for 40 years!

Molting can be very hard on some, but not on others. I've never had one die from it, but it might play in weakening them.

I've never wormed mine, so I might think that was a possibility. When's the last time, if ever, you wormed yours?

 

[Jenbirdee]

i’m very sorry for your losses and I hope you don’t lose anymore. glad you joined us

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC - sorry for the situation. Is there blood in their feces?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

I'm sorry for your losses.

I would take a mixed fecal sample to your vet for analysis and see what is or is not present then treat accordingly.

 

[Jener8or]

Thanks for joining! I wish I was more helpful! I'm not sure if it is possible to get a necropsy done in the chance you do lose more (I hope not). I definitely 2nd the recommendation to get fecals done at a vet if you are able, that way you can use the right dewormer right off the bat.

Keep us posted on how they are doing and what you are able to find out and any new symptoms they might have.

Welcome to BackYard Chickens!

 

[N F C]

Sorry to read of your losses...definitely post on the ER forum. Best wishes!

 

[muddy75]

So sorry for your losses!

 

[Millie Lover]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

I'm sorry for the loss of your hens!

You might want to post your question in our Emergency Forum. The first thing asked will be "What do you feed them?" But you've obviously been feeding them well for 40 years!

Molting can be very hard on some, but not on others. I've never had one die from it, but it might play in weakening them.

I've never wormed mine, so I might think that was a possibility. When's the last time, if ever, you wormed yours?

I have never wormed my chickens. Never seen worms.... I used to have livestock which i wormed on a regular basis, but they have been gone for about 3 years now

 

[Millie Lover]

Welcome to BYC - sorry for the situation. Is there blood in their feces?

no, no blood some have runny poo and some have solid, but no blood