Need help please

[tjbates]

Ok I need some help guys, I've been trying to do the research online but I'm coming up with nothing. In the past week I've had 2 chickens die. They have like a big white s sack down by their rear. When we first notice the sac it was about 3 days later n they died. Also it's winter here. We do have a heat lamp in the coop with them. We usually have about half the eggs we usually get in the summer but the past week we're lucky if we get 2 a day. Today nothing so far. I did take in my brothers chickens ( he had 3 that were free range never penned up ). I don't notice any other symptoms besides what I'm describing. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Maybe I'm not noticing something. Thank you in advance.

 

[Teila]

Hey tjbates I am sorry for your loss

First up, I am definitely not an expert at what ails chickens but I notice that no-one else has chimed in so my posting will at least bump you back up the forum where it may catch the eye of someone more experienced.

But, I will also see if I can help.

What I would do if it was my gals would be to research the causes of a swollen abdomen. I did that and came up with:

Ascites
Tumours
Fat Deposition
Cystic Oviduct
Impacted or Egg-bound Oviducts and
Salpingitis

Not knowing what your gals abdomens looked like, there is no point in me looking at images of any of the above but I recommend you Googling the images to see if you can find anything similar.

I do hope that you are able to figure out what is going on and wish you good luck.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Ok I need some help guys, I've been trying to do the research online but I'm coming up with nothing. In the past week I've had 2 chickens die. They have like a big white s sack down by their rear. When we first notice the sac it was about 3 days later n they died. Also it's winter here. We do have a heat lamp in the coop with them. We usually have about half the eggs we usually get in the summer but the past week we're lucky if we get 2 a day. Today nothing so far. I did take in my brothers chickens ( he had 3 that were free range never penned up ). I don't notice any other symptoms besides what I'm describing. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Maybe I'm not noticing something. Thank you in advance.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Any photos?

@Teila has given you some great suggestions.

Without seeing what you see, it's hard to know what's going on. If you still have a body, you may want to send your hen to your state lab for necropsy. This should help you get some answers.

What do you feed your hens?

Keep watch on them, make sure they are drinking plenty of fresh water. If they are laying, provide them oyster shell free choice and give them fresh poultry feed daily.

Let us know how they are doing.

 

[Janice123456]

You mentioned you got three chickens from your brother. Is it a possibility they are bullying your chickens so they cannot eat properly drink or lay eggs in their nest that is a possibility that could be happening they are fearful and unable to lay eggs.I integrated 4 chickens that were babies into a pretty tight group of three all the chickens that used to be free ranging. The three chickens that were free ranging were the bullies and try to keep the young ones away from food sources and nests. I had to put out three feeders and three water areas two separate areas for oyster shell. And three nests. The older free range chickens were definitely the police of the group. It was some picking going on of the little younger chickens. Chasing and pecking of waddles that drew blood. I also saw a hen jump on the smaller ones like a rooster domination I think. So might be interesting to look at the dynamics of your group that you combine together and see if there's some bullying. If you can't get to a vet do you have antibiotics. Look up chicken doses . I've used amoxicillin from my human stock several times in the last year to save an internal layer who kept getting big belly. She was dropping her yolks in her belly. No egg laying I also have to drain her belly several times. She lived a year with a lot of help.

 

[Janice123456]

I feed my chickens free feed all day chicken feed and oyster shell. Daily kale and or collards green leaves and cooked oatmeal. Treats as they come from kitchen leftovers. Water is in 5 gallon buckets with heater so it won't freeze. Their run is plastic wrapped for the winter and has roof. Shed /coop has plenty of room to run around and get away from each other. Dirt on run floor shavings in coop. DE in nests and cracks of coop . Dirt in run so they can dust bath. Are you sure there is no bugs on them? Bugs can make hens weak and sick . If they don't get enough calcium eggs can crack inside and kill them . Can order oyster shell on amazon for 13$ delivered

 

[Yemimah]

I will double that motion. It is hard to diagnose without seeing the problem. Also you sometimes see the problem but have no idea of other factors like sanitation.. food spoilage... are their waterers getting cleaned often ,etc.? It is good to remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Sick birds that you want to save will need lifesaving intervention including time and medicine. You can ask your local feed store for help also. The one I use has a lady that is an awesome farmer with great advice.Sick birds get dehydrated/ give electrolytes. Please give us an update if you need more help.