Neighbor lost 3 hens in 2 days. What's going on?

[horsewishr]

My neighbor just called me to let me know that 3 of her 5 hens have died in the last two days. She's concerned that they may have something contagious. She says she noticed very dark diarrhea in their coop. Any idea what could be going on, and/or how careful I should be? My chickens free-range. Hers don't, but mine have been known to hang around in the vicinity of her coop. Right now I've got mine in their run. But I wonder how long I have to worry.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Rogue_Woman]

Are the flies or other pests bad in your area? Even though my hens have 2 acres separating them from the neighbor's chickens, they somehow contracted a bacterial illness of some sort that the neighbor's chickens had, and the only thing I could figure was the flies carried it from one coop to the other.

 

[sammi]

it would be better if you could ask your neighbor more specific questions about any symptoms.
you might consider observing them..

what does she feed them?
could the feed have got wet or moldy?

have they been wormed?

it would be a good idea to try and keep your birds away from them in case it is contagious.

 

[silkiechicken]

dark runny poo... was it bloody ? Maybe cocci?