Silkies are dropping like flies

[TroyerGal]

I'm posting this on my sister's behalf

My sister has a small flock of silkies, about 15, and a few have died over the past few months. NONE have had any symptoms of any kind, and they have access to unlimited fresh water and feed, and it's not been too hot lately. She just goes into their coop and the chicken is sitting with its head under its wing, already really cold and hard.

What do you guys think it up? Oh, and their poop is normal too.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Has she wormed them? I had some that were very light, weak, etc---and found out they were wormy----I wormed them with Fenbendazole and they perked right up in a week or so. Gained a lot of weight. It saved their life I am sure.

 

[TroyerSis]

Has she wormed them? I had some that were very light, weak, etc---and found out they were wormy----I wormed them with Fenbendazole and they perked right up in a week or so. Gained a lot of weight. It saved their life I am sure.

Hello. Troyergals sister here. I haven't wormed them. I've been meaning to add some DE to their feed, but I haven't yet. My silkies don't act sick or lethargic at all though! They're perfectly fine the day before, and when I let them out in the morning I find one dead!

 

[hannahsflock]

Has it been very hot lately where you live? It could be heat stroke?
Sorry about your losses. It's awful to lose birds, especially if you're not sure what caused them to die.

 

[TroyerSis]

Has it been very hot lately where you live? It could be heat stroke?
Sorry about your losses. It's awful to lose birds, especially if you're not sure what caused them to die.

It hasn't been to hot, and my silkies all have a nice amount of shade, and access to water all day long. Thanks, it is upsetting. Could they just be dying for no reason?

 

[PD-Riverman]

Hello. Troyergals sister here. I haven't wormed them. I've been meaning to add some DE to their feed, but I haven't yet. My silkies don't act sick or lethargic at all though! They're perfectly fine the day before, and when I let them out in the morning I find one dead!

There is So many things that could be wrong, one of the more common is worms. Pick them up, feel them---if they seem light, very little meat on their breast bone, they are probably wormy and DE might not have enough time to work to pull them out---I never use DE so I do not know that answer.

 

[Eggsoteric]

How old are your Silkies?

 

[TroyerSis]

There is So many things that could be wrong, one of the more common is worms. Pick them up, feel them---if they seem light, very little meat on their breast bone, they are probably wormy and DE might not have enough time to work to pull them out---I never use DE so I do not know that answer.

What type of wormer should I use? They are very light and small...

 

[hannahsflock]

I agree with @PD-Riverman regarding worms. It seems to be a likely cause. I hope you can clear the mystery up soon.

 

[TroyerSis]

How old are your Silkies?

All different ages, but the ones that have died have all been older pullets.