Sick meat chickens

[Carymcmillin]

I lost 3 chickens this season. All about 1 week apart. The first was about 2 weeks,then about 4 weeks and the last about 5 weeks. They all quit eating, became lethargic and passed. I treated with Codid but that did not seem to help. The only thing I noticed was they were smaller and shook their head abnormally. Checked for mites, bites, and injury. My other birds are doing well but I am hoping to find the cause so that I know what to do next season. Has anyone had this?

Tganks

 

[Isaac 0]

Sorry for your losses.

The head-shaking makes me think mites, did you check near their vent and under their wings, when time of day did you check them at?

Next time if you do unfortunately lose a bird your best bet would be sending their body to your state veterinary necropsy lab. Some states offer it for free or for a minimal fee.

Here is some more info,

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures.799747/

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

 

[Carymcmillin]

I checked in the afternoon. It was weird because the last bird started eating again and then I found her passed in the coop.

 

[Isaac 0]

I checked in the afternoon. It was weird because the last bird started eating again and then I found her passed in the coop.

For the most part, mites are only on the bird at night, during the day they hide away in the cracks and crevices of the coop and return to the bird once they roost. So there is a good chance you may have missed them.

 

[Carymcmillin]

Ok, thanks I will keep my eye on that