Seemingly healthy hens mysteriously dying

[Chullicken]

You said you live in Florida. Lice I can see as a big problem. Also keep an eye out for poisonous snakes. Earlier this year I almost had some pullets get bit by a snake. Snakes do go into coops, too. The lice is probably what the cause is, though.

Really glad in New England, we don't have that poisonous snake issue. The rare Timber Rattler is about it..very rare. We do have about 44 other predators as you know...but at least snakes can be crossed off right!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you all so very much for brainstorming and all of your advice! I think I'll treat the flock for the lice and deworm everyone this week. I'll post again here if I lose anymore, and will probably do my own necropsy to make sure all vital organs look healthy.

Please keep us posted. If you do lose any more in a short period of time - refrigerate and send to your FL lab - I'm sure they have prices listed on the link I posted earlier. Some states do testing for a nominal fee while others are quite expensive. Your state lab may also offer other services like fecal floats - that's something to consider as well.

If you prefer to doing your own necropsy - if you want to share your photos that would be good - you can post them here on your thread, make a new thread or put them on the necropsy thread here https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ning-contains-graphic-necropsy-photos.823961/

Not be overload you on necropsy "stuff" but here is a guide with photos - I've found it helpful. http://www.thepoultrysite.com/focus/contents/ceva_necropsy.pdf

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Really glad in New England, we don't have that poisonous snake issue. The rare Timber Rattler is about it..very rare. We do have about 44 other predators as you know...but at least snakes can be crossed off right!

The snake that almost bit my pullets wasn't poisonous. It just coiled up like snakes do before they bite. I've heard that Maine is the only state without poisonous snakes. My major predators that my chickens have is the neighbour's dogs, cats, possums, and skunks. So far I've only had close calls and haven't lost any chickens to these predators.

 

[chickencheeper]

Really glad in New England, we don't have that poisonous snake issue. The rare Timber Rattler is about it..very rare. We do have about 44 other predators as you know...but at least snakes can be crossed off right!

Me to! We have sooooo many predators around here, a coyote-wolf hybrid pack live in our neighborhood and tons of hawks, coons, opossums, weasels, dogs, cats,etc

 

[chickencheeper]

The snake that almost bit my pullets wasn't poisonous. It just coiled up like snakes do before they bite. I've heard that Maine is the only state without poisonous snakes. My major predators that my chickens have is the neighbour's dogs, cats, possums, and skunks. So far I've only had close calls and haven't lost any chickens to these predators.

Venomous*(venom is injected, poison is injected but can be injected, however venomous is the proper term)