Rapid death.

[Als]

Have had two orphingtons pass about two week apart. Exact same thing. Seems fine, within 24 hrs weak, and lethargic, stops eating and drinking then dies suddenly. What can kill so fast and seem to pick on one at a time.
6 month old birds, only the orpfies affected?
Could it be a injury?
All thoughts glady accepted.
So new to chickens I hate to be unwittingly be ending the life of my girls and boys prematurely simply by being ignorant.
We haven't lost one to predators other than a young one (2 months) to our yorkie when she got into the yard somehow.
Two have died to injurys as chicks.
Now two to???
They free range all day and have the world at their door step. Are locked in the run at sundown when the come in. Cooped once they go to bed.
Two rosters guarding now 8 hens. None of the birds of the 39 original brood we have passed to others have died.

 

[Kiki]

Any signs of Coccidiosis?
OR
Marek's?

 

[21hens-incharge]

What feed are you using? What is the mill date on the feed?

When you pick them up is the breast bone easily felt?

 

[Als]

Any signs of Coccidiosis?
OR
Marek's?

Any signs we had at all was the day before could tell something wasn't right. Slowed down, and kinda separated itself from the rest.
What signs would I look for? Remember I am as new to chickens as they are to me. 6 months now.

 

[Als]

What feed are you using? What is the mill date on the feed?

When you pick them up is the breast bone easily felt?

We feed locally processed at the feed mill. It's cracked corn and 10% layer supplement. We also give them cantaloupe, watermelon, some veggies. Wife has taking a particular likening to one bird who has a severe crooked beak. She feeds him cottage cheese, yogurt, mixed with oatmeal, cracked corn, flax seed and other stuff I have no idea. He is doing just fine. Quite the piglet! The others get some of crooked beaks food when he isn't looking or he can't chase them all away.
The feed isn't old as the supply a good share of the farms around here. No batch date beyond the day I go get it.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Have had two orphingtons pass about two week apart. Exact same thing. Seems fine, within 24 hrs weak, and lethargic, stops eating and drinking then dies suddenly. What can kill so fast and seem to pick on one at a time.
6 month old birds, only the orpfies affected?
Could it be a injury?
All thoughts glady accepted.
So new to chickens I hate to be unwittingly be ending the life of my girls and boys prematurely simply by being ignorant.
We haven't lost one to predators other than a young one (2 months) to our yorkie when she got into the yard somehow.
Two have died to injurys as chicks.
Now two to???
They free range all day and have the world at their door step. Are locked in the run at sundown when the come in. Cooped once they go to bed.
Two rosters guarding now 8 hens. None of the birds of the 39 original brood we have passed to others have died.

I would like to say wish it could be of better circumstances
I am so sorry for your loss of the birds.. May I ask if these where from a breeder or a hatchery ?

 

[Als]

Oh missed part of your question about the breast bone. Yes I do believe it is. Crop is totally empty.

 

[Als]

I would like to say wish it could be of better circumstances
I am so sorry for your loss of the birds.. May I ask if these where from a breeder or a hatchery ?

Not from a breeder or a hatchery. Wife picked up the orfies from someone hatching the eggs theirs had produced, so not likely any were vaccinated. In fact I am sure none of the birds we have are.

 

[Als]

As you can tell. Newbie

 

[Sara Ranch]

Cracked corn and 10% layer supplement? How much protein total in the feed? (It should say it on the bag or the bag label.)

My buffs eat a bit more than the other guys. They are also larger than all of my other guys. And a bit more adventurous when it comes to food. They pick fruit from the trees and veggies from the vine.

Have you treated for coccidious? Or worms? From what I understand, both will take down a bird seemingly fast.

If you can feel the breast bone sticking out, it is often an indication of worms. The birds loose a lot of weight when they have worms, although their outsides often look the same.