My chickens are dying

[granmama]

I have a backyard flock and 2 hens in the past 24 hours have died. They are bovine breed about 3 years old. I find them standing and doing nothing, their eyes are moving and within 24 hours they are dead. I had 2 americaunas and another bovine die within the past 2 months. I have not introduced any new birds. They have a large open run, there are crows in the run and I noticed a rat at night in the run. I have just hatched a clutch of chicks and though they are sequestered in a separate area and a separate run, they are still close by. I have been non stop on the internet trying to figure out what has changed and happened. I am in BC where there isn't any vets who take care of chickens. I have a mixed flock where all the hens are at least 1 year old, they eat an organic feed, greens from the garden, melons from the store. How can I help my flock and what is going on? Would this be Marek's? No bloody stools, nothing I find on external exam of the hens. Any suggestions would be appreciated, I am just sick with worry.

 

[cherrynberry]

Any other symptoms? (tail down, not eating/drinking, not laying, etc.) Pictures?

 

[granmama]

The ones that died have been buried but their combs were up, eyes open, tails down, but until they passed that threshold when I knew they were dying, they just stood there, not moving, eyes open. I then moved them to a quiet place and they gradually laid down and then over hours died. The rest of the flock currently look normal, at least so far.

 

[cherrynberry]

@Eggcessive
@Wyorp Rock
@sourland

Maybe they can help???

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Mareks is a gradual paralysis. Only way to really know for sure is to send one to be necropsied

 

[Eggcessive]

It would help to know more symptoms of the ones that died. Tails down could be a sign of a reproductive problem, but is alao a sign of a sick hen. How did their crops feel? What did their droppings look like? Losing more than one at a time sounds more like poisoning, possibly from mold in the feed or something like a plant or chemical. Can you tell us what you feed, and if they have access to food and water at all times? Have you ever seen any cough or sneeze, or chickens having trouble walking or balancing? Have you checked their skin for lice or mites? In your state the state vet can perform a necropsy to look for a cause of death. That is what I would do if you lose another. Sorry for your loss.,