Please Help! Lost 7 birds to unknown causes! :(

[eggsrcool]

In the past week I've lost 3 birds for unknown causes. At the beginning of the year I had 28 chickens, I'm down to 21. I have 3 cockerels (yes way too many, I know). I've lost 2 cockerels, and 5 hens. They were all young birds (all hatched out in 2009 or 2008). All of them were crossbred. About 3 were found outside. 1 hen and 2 cockerels were found outside, 2 of them in the same place at different times.

Most of them were related, either siblings, or because they share the same father. About 2 or 3 were not related in any way.

The chickens I have lost haven't been as precious as others are at the moment, but still a huge blow to me

So;

1) Do you think the deaths were caused by the cockerels, and do you think it is time to say 'goodbye' to them?

2) Is it a contagious disease, and the older birds have grown immune to it?

3) What shall I do?

I know that you have to be prepared for deaths of your pets, but in this huge amount seems suspicious.

Thanks.

 

[frisco94]

I'm going thru somewhat the same thing. I lost a hen 2 weeks ago (6 remaining) after she appeared very lethargic and was closing her eyes which is atypical behavior. Today, I'm noticing another hen (Red Star) who is displaying the same thing........I checked her to see if I could feel an egg that was having trouble passing, but to no avail. I don't have any answers, but I wanted to post this to let you know you're not the only one.