My flock was fine this morning, this afternoon they are dying!

[Aber]

So the neighbor's wife came over this morning and I don't think they sprayed anything after all... I'm super paranoid now even though the rest of the flock and the neighbor's chickens look perfectly healthy....

Could you guys humor me and tell me why this does not sound like avian flu?

 

[Dawnclucks22]

They get starter/grower, no supplements. Water is changed at least once, usually twice a day.

Sometimes when it gets hot I put ice in their waterer. Cold treats work well too. If you have one of those hose accessories, try misting them off. I hope that helps - if it's heat, though.

 

[biophiliac]

So the neighbor's wife came over this morning and I don't think they sprayed anything after all... I'm super paranoid now even though the rest of the flock and the neighbor's chickens look perfectlys healthy....

Could you guys humor me and tell me why this does not sound like avian flu?

BC you did not mention any respiratory symptoms...?

Once I saw one of my birds drinking rainwater pooled on the deck of a lawnmower sitting near their run. I was so worried about toxins like gasoline mixed in. Just be on the lookout for toxic items whether chemical or herbal or fungal... Aspergillus fungus spores cause severe breathing problems as I recall.

 

[Aber]

BC you did not mention any respiratory symptoms...?

No, there were no respiratory symptoms... I just keep reading that sudden death can be the only "symptom" is that because people missed the symptoms that were there for those few hours?

 

[Aber]

I'm sorry, I know I'm a total greenhorn. I'm just nervous and questioning burying the girls without a necropsy...

 

[lastco]

@Aber Given the statistics, it seems unlikely. Only lab testing could rule it out though. Sudden death is a symptom, but I would expect more losses, based on everything I've read. Unless they're still dropping like flies, take a breath, it's going to be ok!

 

[RodNTN]

I've been reading this, and it sounds a lot like my first batch of chicks. They were doing perfectly fine and that evening one of my chicks stopped eating/drinking. He would sit there and his head would start bobbing, he jut slept and slept. Finally though, he sat up and it looked kinda like he was convulsing or something, and then he died.

It happened with 2 other chicks too, had (and still have) no idea what happened. But as everyone has has said, do NOT give up on chickens! Praying for you're remaining chickens!

 

[Aber]

@Aber Given the statistics, it seems unlikely. Only lab testing could rule it out though. Sudden death is a symptom, but I would expect more losses, based on everything I've read. Unless they're still dropping like flies, take a breath, it's going to be ok!

Yeah... That's my main comfort. There are 18 birds between mine and my neighbor's. Only 3 fell at this point. Everybody else seems fine. Thank you for humoring and reassuring me!❤

 

[Aber]

I've been reading this, and it sounds a lot like my first batch of chicks. They were doing perfectly fine and that evening one of my chicks stopped eating/drinking. He would sit there and his head would start bobbing, he jut slept and slept. Finally though, he sat up and it looked kinda like he was convulsing or something, and then he died.

It happened with 2 other chicks too, had (and still have) no idea what happened. But as everyone has has said, do NOT give up on chickens! Praying for you're remaining chickens!

I'm so sorry you've dealt with this too! It's a terrible feeling :-( how old are/were your chicks?

 

[biophiliac]

@Aber Given the statistics, it seems unlikely. Only lab testing could rule it out though. Sudden death is a symptom, but I would expect more losses, based on everything I've read. Unless they're still dropping like flies, take a breath, it's going to be ok!

Agreed. You don't give your location. Sometimes the climate where you live can factor in on illnesses in general(NOT avian flu) or the type of toxins present in the environment.