Silkies dying in flock- Could it be the rats??

[mrskenmore]

Hi BYC Family,

I currently have been keeping chickens for 12 years and have a flock of 8 hens.

I volunteer my time at the local historical society tending for retired sheep, goats, ponies, cats, rabbits and a flock of 10 chickens, (8 hens and 2 bantam roos).

The property is managed by the town and it is impeccable. I am proud to be able to volunteer my time there and care for all of the animals as it is very rewarding.

Recently we have lost two silkie hens in the coop in similar fashion. One was found two weeks ago on the floor of the coop dead with no evidence of struggle, predator attack, eggbound, crop issues or injury. I looked her over and as there were no other symptoms and everyone else was okay- we deemed that she had a good life and it was just her time. (Since she is a rescue, she is guessed to be about 6-8 years old). I was okay with this diagnosis as there were no other symptoms. This week we lost her sister another rescue silkie the same exact way (passed in the coop overnight zero symptoms) with same origin and age guestimation.

My question to you all (as I have no personal experience with silkies and only keep large, hearty breeds) is if I missed something in the diagnosis. They have both been buried by the farm hands, so no necropsy is possible. Are silkies delicate and susceptible to things other chickens are not.

These animals get the best feed, the best care and have a large coop with protected run, there are volunteers for AM and PM shifts and they are looked after. They free range during the day on the property and really have the life I tell ya!

I can't figure it out and wanted to give closure to the other volunteers that only know these chickens. If anyone has experience with Silkies and can figure out why they both may have passed a week or so apart same way I would appreciate it.

One thing that I need to mention is that even thought the animals on the farm get the best care, there is a rat problem on the farm and I have repeatedly mentioned this to the manager. The rats are in the run and coop at night. I have seen upwards of 10 in and about the coop after the hens roost for the night, they are on the floor below, drinking their water and eating remaining scraps of food that spilled from the day.

I have read that silkies have very sensitive little systems. Could the rats be the cause?

Thanks for any help you can give. I would like to get back to the farm manager this week with some information and I know you are all such a wealth of information on BYC!

Thanks in advance for your help...

 

[BobDBirdDog]

Some times a Weasel can attack without any evidence.
They simply bite and puncture the Neck ans suck the blood like a vampire! Leav's the bird intact.

 

[WingItRanch]

Rats can and will kill chickens. They often wait until the chicken is resting for the night and will chew into their bodies. There would be obvious trauma. They also obviously do carry diseases. I would definitely do what you can to take care of the rat problem. I recommend a trap called the ratinator. They're kind of pricey but safer when there are other animals nearby because you don't need poison and you may be able to catch up to a dozen at a time.

Now.. as for the cause of death. 6-8 years for a chicken, especially a breed as fragile as a silkie, is pretty dang good. It's possible it was natural causes. It's also possible the 2nd one expired from the stress of losing her flockmate.