Our 3 year old white silkie rooster died yesterday. He had been successfully fighting off dry avian pox, then I noticed he was lethargic. After 2 days, I rushed him to the vet. He was severely anemic. He was hospitalized, tube fed and transfused. This was on Friday. He seemed to be getting better, but the treatment just delayed his death. We are devastated. The vet is not sure what caused his severe anemia. He will be necropsied today. Thank God we have six babies fathered by him. We dusted the coop for mites (not that we saw mites), put vita mate plus in the water, and de-wormer in the food. Much to my surprise, the hens are thin and anemic. They were vaccinated for avian pox, so I don't know what is going on. I am terrified that I may lose the whole flock. Just needed to share this with other "chicken people" who understand. Everyone else thinks I am crazy.