sick chicken

[ruby]

In 2005 I bought 3 New Hampshire's, and 3 Plymouth Rocks. They were healthy happy birds. I really thought I would lose some birds in the heat wave last summer but all was well. My problem is that this spring I have lost 2 of the three New Hampshires. Now the last girl is showing the same symptoms as the other two. First, they will not roost. She is roosting on the ground. The next symptom is not eating. I tried my best with the 2nd bird and lost her anyway. Any ideas???? Help!

 

[ruby]

HEY Y'ALL anybody out there have "sisters" from the same clutch (if that's proper" die one month about ????? this is my last New Hampshire, she is only 3 years old....I got 2 Rhode Island Reds about 8 years old??????? Anybody?

 

[smith2]

Sorry to say, can't help without knowing more symptoms, poo issues, appetite, exposure to chemicals, etc. In general, a lot of 3-4 year old chickens that were heavy egg layers often develop kidney problems from high levels of calcium in the diet and various other issues that are almost impossible to trace. Some breeds just don't live as long as other breeds.

 

[ruby]

Thanks for the feedback. The 1st hen just died in the dust bath, she had gotten kinda slow. The second got the poopy butt, which we cleaned, then she didn't eat. I put her in a infirmary, feed her starter grower for more protein. She ate and seemed happy and went back in the big pen for while. I think it was a bad clutch, or just the experience of my 1st New Hampshire's the more I watch the third one go down. I feel helpless.