Lost two birds in one week...HELP!

[crazeetxn]

Last week, I buried my 2nd hen. Today, I have to bury my EE

I don't know if it's the heat or something else. I have the coop ventilated best I can and a fan to suck out what it can. I give them fresh water and even put ice in it to help. She was playing yesterday, but would let out a soft and short cackle, but was still running around. She got up on the roost last night, but when I checked on them this morning, she was on the floor on the other side of the roost. I don't suspect a snake because I haven't seen any signs of one.

- When they're out free ranging, could she be getting into something that is in the ground?
- Could it be the heat? But if so, why at night?
- I believe she's about 4/5 yrs old based off what the seller told me, but I have no way to know.
- She still lays on occassion. Maybe once a week or so.
- The coop is fairly clean, but wouldn't pass a white glove inspection
- I have them on layena pellets which is what they've had since I've had them for a year
- Fresh water every day

Any help would be much appreciated as I'm tired of burying my chickens once a week!

Troy

 

[LarryPQ]

4-5 years is older for a chicken. If your flock has anything else going on, the recent heat could cause major stress--or even kill them.

You can:
-put electrolytes in their water
-freeze their treats into ice blocks into yogurt tubs
-go out at night and check for lice/mites
-make sure there is aequate shade during the day and ventillation at night


If it is the heat, the hens could have heat exhaustion. It is hard to recover from--especially when chickens don't drink after dark. Also-Chickens can get dizzy from the heat and fall off the roost & injur themselves. This happened to my 6 yrold hen last week. She dislocated her hip and faded in 2 days.

Good luck!

 

[crazeetxn]

Thanks for the words of wisdom. I mounted a fan in the window so it circulates the air better and redid their shade. Moved it to a corner where the sun only hits it in the morning.

I'll check them for lice/mites. But what happens if I find them on them? I have a bag of DE that I dust around with, but they don't ever want me dusting them. They're kinda picky that way.

Maybe I aughta put a mattress under their roost in case they fall