Mystery Chicken Death?

[Inharmony]

I had this same issue shortly after acquiring our new-old flock. We bought old laying hens that were retiring from a chicken farm. We lost 4 chickens in the first week then they seemed fine after that. I thought it must have been stress or something. Now I've lost another 2 and have one more bleeding now.

We did just get 5 new ones to replace the ones we lost. Same age came from the same farm originally but these people only kept summer birds.

I found the 1st dead chicken from our original flock the day I came home with the new additions then the second one dead two days later.

They all have been found bleeding from the vent area. Prior to I see no issues. No obvious distress. Then suddenly I find one dead with all the chickens pecking at it's vent. Tonight is the first time I actually found one alive and seemingly ok up in her roost, other than a very bloody vent area that doesn't appear prolapse I don't think. Usually they are dead by the time I find them.

I have noticed extra large eggs lately and I know laying large eggs can make complications. Also I found an egg yesterday with no shell developed. And an egg today with blood on the shell.

Is it likely that many chickens develop difficulties laying all at once? Or could I have a case of pecking gone deadly?

I don't want to loose any more!

Please offer any help or suggestions as I have no ideas

 

[M-H-Fielding]

Maybe Coccidiosis? Try dosing them with corid, if you have any.

 

[Eggcessive]

It sounds like cannibalism from vent pecking. Sometimes a chicken may have a temporary prolapse while laying, and that red color can invite pecking. Other causes for pecking are overcrowding, boredom from not getting out to free range, too little protein in the diet, but it could happen with newly added chickens.

I would do some observing of behavior. What do you feed them? What do droppings look like? Can you see any eveidence of vent pecking and can you post any pictures?

 

[Aapomp831]

If they are laying it’s probably not coccidiosis. Did you separate the new birds before letting everyone mingle?

 

[Inharmony]

If they are laying it’s probably not coccidiosis. Did you separate the new birds before letting everyone mingle?

Some are not laying as much but I think it may be the shorter days and some are molting.
Yes separated for a bit before introducing.

 

[Inharmony]

It sounds like cannibalism from vent pecking. Sometimes a chicken may have a temporary prolapse while laying, and that red color can invite pecking. Other causes for pecking are overcrowding, boredom from not getting out to free range, too little protein in the diet, but it could happen with newly added chickens.

I would do some observing of behavior. What do you feed them? What do droppings look like? Can you see any eveidence of vent pecking and can you post any pictures?

They have a large enough home and they have a fenced area to roam (dog would love to see them closer but fence stops his friendliness lol)

The first one died before the new ones were even brought home, I just hadn't found it till I brought in the new ones.

We feed them feed store laying pellets try not to offer too many treats.

Droppings look normal, mix of solid and a bit of watery.

They are definitely picking on the injured one now so she is separated now.

Attached is a picture before cleaning her up.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are a couplemof good articles about vent pecking and possible causes:
https://extension.psu.edu/poultry-cannibalism-prevention-and-treatment

https://www.fwi.co.uk/livestock/poultry/layers/causes-vent-pecking-cannibalism-layers

 

[Inharmony]

So I had her separate until yesterday, put her back and they started picking again so I'm separating again. It does seem like cannibalism...

 

[Eggcessive]

It can be normal for them to attack and peck if she has been separated for a couple of weeks. Did you separate her in a wire crate within site of the flock? What breeds are your chickens? Do you notice any one of them being more aggressive? Sometimes you may have to separate or rehome a bully, or even the one being bullied. I had a hen once have an illness where she didn’t walk for over a month. Once she was again walking, even the lowest in rank bantam hen would jump her. I had ro separte her in the adjacent yard where rhey could all see one another between the netting. Months later, I put her back without too many problems.

 

[Inharmony]

She has always stayed separate from the others in the coop. They don't like the high perch so she goes there most of the day and only goes ot sometimes. Yes I used a wire dog crate not too far away. But I think it is going to be an ongoing issue with this one I purched picking spray because I've noticed they are starting to pick on another bird while she was gone. I hope I can stop them before it becomes a habit! Also curious: one of the larger hens has been mounting the others. Could I have two roosters and not have known? Attached a picture of the bird in question. Not sure the breed, they were retired commercial brown egg layers.