Need help. First dead chicken.

[murrychicken]

What did we do wrong here? We are new to chickens and this is our first cold snap and have a dead chicken. They don’t want to go up in the top, warm, enclosed area at night. Should we wrap the bottom?

 

[ashlierami]

What did we do wrong here? We are new to chickens and this is our first cold snap and have a dead chicken. They don’t want to go up in the top, warm, enclosed area at night. Should we wrap the bottom?

Did the dead chicken show any symptoms prior to the death? Are any of the others? Symptoms to look for sneezing, coughing, not eating or drinking, rattled breathing, bloody diarrhea or diarrhea in general, fluffed up sitting alone, etc. If it's cold out at night I would recommend having them sleep in an area that's closed in and draft free. You need ventilation but no draft or they will get chilled thus making them more likely to get sick. I also don't recommend having them exposed at night due to predators. I see sits fenced in but you don't want a predator visually seeing them and trying their best to break in. You may have to train them. For a few nights put them to bed. They should catch on and follow one another and go on their own after a week or 2.

 

[murrychicken]

Did the dead chicken show any symptoms prior to the death? Are any of the others? Symptoms to look for sneezing, coughing, not eating or drinking, rattled breathing, bloody diarrhea or diarrhea in general, fluffed up sitting alone, etc. If it's cold out at night I would recommend having them sleep in an area that's closed in and draft free. You need ventilation but no draft or they will get chilled thus making them more likely to get sick. I also don't recommend having them exposed at night due to predators. I see sits fenced in but you don't want a predator visually seeing them and trying their best to break in. You may have to train them. For a few nights put them to bed. They should catch on and follow one another and go on their own after a week or 2.

There were no signs of illness and the rest of the chickens look, sound and act healthy. We are going to take your advice and train them to go bed in the enclosed area starting tonight. Thank you so much!

 

[coach723]

You need to figure out why they won't go in, most chickens will naturally seek shelter in the coop at night once they know it's home. How long have they been housed in this coop? Is the ventilation adequate? I'm not seeing any windows or other openings. Is it too dark? Sometimes putting a light source in will draw them in at dusk. I have one on a timer, comes on before dusk, goes off after enough time for them to all get in. You can use a small LED lantern or flashlight temporarily to see if that will help draw them in. Seeing pictures of your roost set up might provide suggestions too. May or may not contribute, but your ramp looks a bit steep, some don't like it too steep so maybe extending it out some so it's more gradual will help. Hard to say why your bird died without more info on that. I also only see what looks like 2 x 4 wire (maybe there is something additional and I can't see it in the pictures) and many predators can and will reach in and grab a bird and strangle them or break their neck, legs, wings etc. 1/2" or smaller hardware cloth could be added with zip ties or other connectors to prevent that from happening.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC.
I am sorry for your loss.
Do you still have the body?

How long have you had these chickens in this set up?

Were all of your chickens brought home on the same day?

What exactly do you feed them?

 

[ashlierami]

There were no signs of illness and the rest of the chickens look, sound and act healthy. We are going to take your advice and train them to go bed in the enclosed area starting tonight. Thank you so much!

I forgot to mention that you did nothing wrong. Things happen unexpectedly . I take good care of my flock and have had losses to unknown causes as well. Unfortunately that is just the life of a chicken keeper.

 

[murrychicken]

You need to figure out why they won't go in, most chickens will naturally seek shelter in the coop at night once they know it's home. How long have they been housed in this coop? Is the ventilation adequate? I'm not seeing any windows or other openings. Is it too dark? Sometimes putting a light source in will draw them in at dusk. I have one on a timer, comes on before dusk, goes off after enough time for them to all get in. You can use a small LED lantern or flashlight temporarily to see if that will help draw them in. Seeing pictures of your roost set up might provide suggestions too. May or may not contribute, but your ramp looks a bit steep, some don't like it too steep so maybe extending it out some so it's more gradual will help. Hard to say why your bird died without more info on that. I also only see what looks like 2 x 4 wire (maybe there is something additional and I can't see it in the pictures) and many predators can and will reach in and grab a bird and strangle them or break their neck, legs, wings etc. 1/2" or smaller hardware cloth could be added with zip ties or other connectors to prevent that from happening.

They have been in their coop about 4 months. A flashlight is a great idea. We have hardware cloth all around and will attach some better pics. Thank you!

 

[murrychicken]

Welcome to BYC.
I am sorry for your loss.
Do you still have the body?

How long have you had these chickens in this set up?

Were all of your chickens brought home on the same day?

What exactly do you feed them?

Welcome to BYC.
I am sorry for your loss.
Do you still have the body?

How long have you had these chickens in this set up?

Were all of your chickens brought home on the same day?

What exactly do you feed them?

No have gotten rid of the body. Chickens brought home all on same day at 1 day old. Chicken set up since been there since May. All is new to us. Feed them layer feed free range from MFA. Adding egg shells to it. Feeding whole corn at night to help keep them warm.

 

[Pennys Mama]

They have been in their coop about 4 months. A flashlight is a great idea. We have hardware cloth all around and will attach some better pics. Thank you!

Mine like a little light on at night, even my guineas roost inside.

 

[Kiki]

No have gotten rid of the body. Chickens brought home all on same day at 1 day old. Chicken set up since been there since May. All is new to us. Feed them layer feed free range from MFA. Adding egg shells to it. Feeding whole corn at night to help keep them warm.

Stop the corn.
Feed only the complete balanced layer feed.

I'm not seeing any ventilation in there.
Can you cut some holes up high and cover them when th hardware cloth.


If your girls are laying eggs they are plenty be g enough to be outside and not die from a cold snap.

Fatty liver disease can cause them to drop dead with zero symptoms.
Over weight (which can happen easily with daily corn treats) can cause this.