Oldest chickens dying

[DgirlUrbanFarms]

In the past 2 months I have lost my 3 oldest chickens, all 4-5 years old. They all get to moving very slow, look "COLD," keep their necks/head tucked in, walk around real slow. They do eat and drink, but eventually they end up having to be put down because they have nasty poop all over their backside and can't do anything. It has only happened since it got super cold in Texas. All my young chickens are SUPER healthy and exhibit NO signs.

 

[ben0125]

What breeds are they?

 

[DgirlUrbanFarms]

All different breeds. RIR, Barred Rock, Black Copper Marran

 

[rebrascora]

Do they have any abdominal swelling? Particularly between the legs or around the vent. Usually soiled vents are caused by constriction of the gut meaning that poop becomes mostly liquid and runs down the feathers instead of falling free as a solid mass. Swelling caused by reproductive disorders can lead to constriction of the gut and also changes the shape of their back end so that poop no longer falls clear.
Older girls are more prone to reproductive issues. Another problem can be inappropriate diet.... as birds get older they start to store more fat, particularly if they are getting lots of treats and this can lead to Fatty Liver Haemorrhagic Syndrome where their liver becomes mushy and eventually haemorrhages causing death. Often birds will suffer ascites (water belly) before this illness becomes fatal.

It is extremely unlikely that the weather is playing a role as I doubt that "super cold" in Texas is really that cold. Generally chickens can withstand quite serious cold weather as long as they are kept dry and draught free.

 

[Grubby girl]

Sorry about your hens Dgirl

 

[rebrascora]

Sorry about your hens Dgirl

Gosh, yes. What am I thinking! I'm so busy trying to suggest what might have caused their death, I'm overlooking the emotional trauma you must have suffered at losing long term members of your flock.... I'm so sorry!

 

[bucky52]

In the past 2 months I have lost my 3 oldest chickens, all 4-5 years old. They all get to moving very slow, look "COLD," keep their necks/head tucked in, walk around real slow. They do eat and drink, but eventually they end up having to be put down because they have nasty poop all over their backside and can't do anything. It has only happened since it got super cold in Texas. All my young chickens are SUPER healthy and exhibit NO signs.

 

[bucky52]

Sorry to hear. Its hard on us chicken owners when we lose them. I have a barred rock. That will be 6 in march. She has days when she is her old self and days when she just is not feeling as spray as she use to. She has had a messy but for months. But due to going through a late and long molt.I put off cleaning her up. Two weeks ago when we were down to 0 degrees. I did bring her in and cleaned her and caged her in the laundry room She seemed content to just sit where it was warm. She is back out with her flock. And seems to be doing good. I feel she has water belly(asicites).I do know there is no cure.Its going to be a heart breaker when she goes,My Grandson gave her to me when she was just days old.

 

[red horse ranch]

In the past 2 months I have lost my 3 oldest chickens, all 4-5 years old. They all get to moving very slow, look "COLD," keep their necks/head tucked in, walk around real slow. They do eat and drink, but eventually they end up having to be put down because they have nasty poop all over their backside and can't do anything. It has only happened since it got super cold in Texas. All my young chickens are SUPER healthy and exhibit NO signs.

I'm sorry to hear about your losses. And I understand about wondering why so many in such a short time. Every winter I lose 1 or 2 of my old ones and I expect that to happen. But this winter I have lost 8 old chickens and 1 more is trying to die. All since the end of October. Mine were between 5 and 9 years old. I don't think it is the cold temperatures since mine have lived thru a lot of colder winters than this one. I don't think it's disease in my flock since all the young ones are healthy and starting to breed again. I think they just get to a certain point in their lives where they don't want to live on any more. I've noticed over the years that some breeds just don't live past 5 years. I've never had an RIR or Barred Rock live past 4 years.
It's hurts to lose chickens that have been with you for a long time but if you have given them a good life then that's more than so many other animals and birds can expect out of life.

 

[Eggcessive]

I have an older flock from 4 to 8 years old, and with our cold weather recently, I have also lost 4 older hens with similar symptoms. When I performed necropsies, most had ascites—just a pint or more of dark amber fluid come out, and one had lots of fat present. If you want to find a cause, you can get a professional necropsy done by the state vet or nearby poultry lab. Just refrigerate the body, and ship on ice, and the sooner, the better. When there are multiple deaths, many labs will necropsy 2 for the same fee. Sorry for your loss.