Several unknown deaths - Necropsy results

[lishah2000]

I have recently lost three chickens suddenly and have no idea why.

All were the same age 1 1/2 years old. Mixed breeds. All eat flock raiser.

First hen was fine the night before, no signs of any problems. In the morning I found her on the floor in a corner. Her neck was very limp and she was barely alive. She died within 5 minutes.

Second hen was in another coop. She was ok in the morning, but had died a few hours later when I checked on them. She had not been laying and not acting quite right for a few weeks. She had also been jumped on by a young rooster a week prior, so her death may not be related.

Today my lead rooster in the same coop as the first hen died. He was fine last night. He came out of the coop as usual, then stumbled slightly. He stumbled a few more times until he fell on the ground. I picked him up and he pretty much died the same as the first hen, but very quickly - less than a minute. He had a bad case of pox this summer. It was inside his mouth and he was very sick.

I still have the rooster and could have him checked, but have no idea how to do that.

 

[goldeneggtees]

Wow, that's scary, hope someone who may have a clue chimes in soon. I'm sorry.

 

[mylittlezoo]

Contact your local extension office, it might be a good idea to have him tested, just in case.

 

[lishah2000]

I sent him off for a necropsy, but still wonder what it could possibly be. So sudden and fast without any noticeable symptoms.

Thank you hinkjc for the sticky with the State Vet info. Made my search so much easier and quicker.

 

[sammi]

what all do you feed?
do they have feed available all the time?
does the feed run out by the end of the day?
fresh water all the time?

could they have got into anything rotten, bad or toxic? rodent poisoning, dead rodents, spoiled kitchen scraps, lawn/garden chemicals, motor oils/chemicals
any spilled wet feed around? any standing or stagnant water around?
check the feed for freshness, signs of mold...

describe the droppings..color and consistency.

have they been wormed? if so, when? and what was used?

have they been given pulled grass or weeds?
what bedding do you use?

check the crops..feel for lump, doughy mass or grainy feeling or sour smell.
any wheezing or mucus?
anything else you can think of?

 

[chickenlady]

Sudden death could be a case of cocci, worms, or something toxic. will be waiting to hear the necropsy results. So sorry for your losses.

 

[the Old Rebel]

I don't know what could be causing this, but I'm sorry for your losses. I know how distressing it is when something is wrong and you don't know what.

 

[Shiningfeather]

Sorry to hear of your loss. I hope you find out what is was.

 

[lishah2000]

They all eat Flock Raiser. They also get oyster shell, a few handfuls of scratch and boss a few times a day. Meal worms and cooked eggs on occasion, but not recently.

Feed available at all times

Doesn't run out, multiple feeders in each area.

Multiple waters in each area.

The three that died were kept inside runs. I emptied all the feeders just in case. I go through a bag each week, so the feed doesn't sit.

What I've seen from the individuals droppings were normal.

Never wormed.

I hand feed them grass at times, but hold it so they only get small pieces at a time.

Pine shavings with stall dry mixed in for bedding.

No wheezing or discharge on any of the flock. The rooster had a real hard time breathing when he was dealing with the pox, but none of the others.

They get ACV in the water, but not every time I fill. Haven't had it recently because I ran out.

The birds in the coop where I lost two are always in their coop and run because this rooster and one of the free-range roosters would fight. My second free-range rooster does sleep inside that coop in a separate area.

 

[lishah2000]

A few more thoughts.

I have three coops and four runs, but they are all right next to each other.

The coop where I lost one bird, also has two free-range birds that sleep in it. They have been free-range since they were little babies. They just wouldn't stay in the run. Independent little things. They run with the free-range flock during the day.

So even though they have separate areas, they are all exposed to each other one way or another. Not sure if that means anything or not.

I also have free-range ducks and two turkey. They also spend time around the chickens.

We don't use any lawn sprays or poisons. I used seven dust months ago for ants, but covered it so the chickens couldn't get to it and it wasn't inside any of the runs or coops.