Silkies dying

[Rachael w]

Our 5 month old silkies are dying. About every 10 days to 2 weeks we find one dead. We haven't noticed any apparent symptoms.

 

[coach723]

I'm sorry for your losses. With nothing to go on it would only be guessing, and probably not helpful. Have you looked at droppings to see if they are normal? There are often clues, though they may be subtle. Any possibility of anything toxic in their environment?
I would suggest having one necropsied to determine what is going on so you can take any necessary steps to remedy it. If you lose another, refrigerate, don't freeze, the body, and send it for necropsy. Here are some resources by state:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome

I am so sorry to hear of your losses.
I agree that more than one death needs to be investigated and a necropsy is the way to go. My guess (and that is all it can be) going on the age and breed is possibly Marek's disease (especially since you are having the deaths a week or more apart) or coccidiosis. These are the two most common killers of juvenile birds. Corid is easy to get hold of and administer to treat for coccidiosis and will not do any real harm if it isn't the problem. Unfortunately there is no recognised treatment for Marek's but supportive care with a good quality poultry vitamin supplement and perhaps a probiotic to support their immune and digestive tract can help and remove adolescent cockerels from the flock to lower the stress levels and keep them as calm and happy and nutritionally well fed as possible.

 

[Alexander2000]

Did you plant wheat killer in your garden where the chickens run or back yard?