Second Hen died

[Daniel4228]

Hello all,
I am new to chickens and brand new to this group. We have/had 5 hens in our backyard coop. About 3 weeks ago our first and eldest hen ,17 weeks old, was found dead in the coop. I didn’t notice anything abnormal in behavior and there was no sign of foul play or anything obvious. And then just today I found a second hen dead in the coop. About 3 weeks apart and the same thing, I can’t find any reason for them dying. They have lots of room inside and out, kept clean, watered and fed. There is lots of venting and pine shavings added and cleaned often. They’re about 16 weeks old now. We got our first one at about 6 weeks and then added 4 more that were 2-3 weeks younger. Any thoughts?

thank you , Daniel

 

[CluckerFamily]

Welcome to BYC!
Did you notice any sneezing or the chickens acting unusual?

 

[MysteryChicken]

How's their poop?

 

[Daniel4228]

Welcome to BYC!
Did you notice any sneezing or the chickens acting unusual?

I didn’t really notice much. I do see now one of our smallest ones kind of acting strange. She’s been strange for a while now. She has been by herself not roosting with the others. She seems to be shaking her head quit often tonight and a bit moist around the nasal area.

 

[Daniel4228]

How's their poop?

Haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary. I’ll keep a closer eye now. Anything in particular I should be looking for? 1 seems a little dirty feathered in the but area unlike the others.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. The best way to know what caused a chicken’s death is to have your state vet do a necropsy. What state are you in? Head shaking and nasal drainage could be signs of a respiratory disease. Adding chickens from multiple sources unfortunately increases the likelihood of bring in a contagious disease, even if the new additions are symptom free. Check for bubbles or foam in an eye, crackly breathing, or swelling around eyes. Look at dropping for diarrhea which could be coccidiosis or worms. Make sure they are not getting into something poisonous, especially if there is a compost pile, unknown plants, mold in feed, and others. Here is a list of most state vets who can possibly do a necropsy if you should lose another, and be sure to keep the body cold, but not frozen:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[MysteryChicken]

Haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary. I’ll keep a closer eye now. Anything in particular I should be looking for? 1 seems a little dirty feathered in the but area unlike the others.

Like off colored diarrhea.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

They’re about 16 weeks old now. We got our first one at about 6 weeks and then added 4 more that were 2-3 weeks younger.

Please post some photos of the poop and the pullets.

 

[Sammi_0411]

Im sorry for both your losses im sure the guys here be able to help and give you great advice
Sam xx