One chicken has died... should I worry about the rest?

[miajones124]

so I had 6 chickens: 3 leghorns and 3 austrolorps. One of the leghorns has always been small... and seemed slower than the other 5. When they all ran over when they heard the mealworms, this smaller leghorn would get there last and seemed very timid. About, i’d Say, 4 months ago, she was egg bound, but we got her fixed up and she successfully passed her leather-y egg. Then about 3 months ago she started to become more lethargic and tired-looking. She also seemed to be getting smaller and smaller. So I treated her like she was egg-bound... nothing. She just always looked tired and lethargic. The way she walked was as if she was blind and was very careful with each step... weird. Fast forward to today, I found her laying outside of one of the nesting boxes, just lying there. I tried to give her some water, but she was completely unresponsive. I went back outside and heard her thrashing around, and I pretty much knew then that she was dying. Sure enough, she had died just then from something that has seemingly gone on for a while. I cleaned her up and the coop, disinfected, all that jazz. All other chickens seem completely fine, but should I be worried for them too? Any suggestions or comments would be awesome - thanks!

 

[Thechickentrainer1999]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I recently lost 2 of mine within the past year. It's been very hard to get through especially with multiple deaths in my family within 2 1/2 years (6). But GOD has helped me get through it and I know he will help you get through it as well. Praying for you. GOD bless. ❤

 

[miajones124]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I recently lost 2 of mine within the past year. It's been very hard to get through especially with multiple deaths in my family within 2 1/2 years (6). But GOD has helped me get through it and I know he will help you get through it as well. Praying for you. GOD bless. ❤

Thanks so much

 

[clyderiver77]

It sounds like this bird was a sort of failure to thrive fatality and more like a genetic defect then disease? If other hens that were previously healthy start to pass away in a similar manner, then I would start to push the panic button. Survival of the fittest? As they approach breeding age, runts or weak animals passing away before they pass their genes may be by design.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Eggcessive]

Leghorns are very good layers, and they can have reproductive disorders. Her being egg bound, and then laying a soft shell-less egg sounds like she may have had one of the different problems, which include impacted oviduct, salingitis, internal laying, and egg yolk peritonitis.
She also may have had problems finding food and water if she was blind or had trouble seeing. Did her eyes look normal in color and have round pupils, or were theyfaded or cloudy? Was she vaccinated for Mareks disease, as that can be a problem in some flocks.