Sick Chickens?

[Donna Peterson]

I have lost several chickens. I don't know whats going on. All seem very healthy and happy. Eating, drinking, doing their chicken thing. Put everyone to bed at night, safe and sound. Next morning everyone is fine except one. She or he can't walk two of them with in an hour were dead. This is not happening all at once. My first was a roo, thought he'd been hurt but no injury, he lived for months would fall over now and then but still ate and drank but he would lose his balance and fall over. Finally he just didn't move at all with out falling so I had him put down. My next one was a very tiny silkie hen again I thought the bigger chicken had hurt her, she died within an hour. Next one again was silkie hen thought she was hurt, she lived for several months also but couldn't walk she would use her wings to help her, she ate drank and even laid eggs. but she too got too bad and had to put her down. Now just this morning another silkie hen was fine when she went to bed couldn't walk and as I held her she died in my arms.
I just don't get it. No symtoms at all. Please any suggestions. These are 2 year olds.

 

[Judy]

I wonder if they have picked up Marek's. You might want to talk to your county extension agent or ag college about having some testing done. In California, they will do a necropsy for free, and will also do some testing.

http://www.cahfs.ucdavis.edu/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq