Sudden Chicken Death Syndrome?

[LeafBlade12345]

Jersey Giants should be alright with most chickens about their size if they are introduced and watched carefully. I would think the usual breeds, EE's, barnevelders, etc. should be okay.

 

[HaHaFarms]

You are absolutely right, spring will be a much better time! We were talking about this tonight and if the necropsy results show no virus or parasite activity, then we will assume the other two are happy and healthy, and we will wait till spring to add to the flock. I love the photo of your hens looking out the window… I would love to see pictures of your coop, do you have them posted?

 

[HaHaFarms]

Thank you!

 

[pungo]

Reading the posts, I guess my situation isn't that unusual. I have (had) 3 Buffs, one about 8 months, and the others about 6 months. All healthy, well fed & laying 6 eggs per week each. I went out this morning & 2 were waiting for me at the gate as usual, and I figured the 3rd was in the coop laying. When I peeked in, she was laying on the floor of the coop dead. It was the first night below freezing this year, so I'm thinking that despite being a cold hardy breed - she just wasn't able to handle it. Anyone else have a Buff die from temps in the mid 20's?

 

[Faraday40]

So sorry for your loss. I have blacks & lavenders (not buff), but I've never had an orp die from cold. It's certainly possible. Last winter we got some -40'F nights with daytime highs of -10'F. The roo got some comb frostbte, but all the hens were fine. If your coop is well ventilated, then the freezing temps should not be a problem. I have more problems with the summer heat & humidity.

Because she was so young & seemed healthy, I would check out the vent to see if there were signs of prolapse. Also examine her body for signs of trauma like a broken neck from a fall or feather damage from a predator. Cocci is also common. (Diarrhea &/or bloody stools can kill in less than 24 hrs). Check for signs of worms, lice, & mites that could also kill. I say this only because you want to rule out these causes to prevent further loss. If you find anything, you can easily treat it to save the remaining hens.

If you cannot find a cause, then you're a new member of this miserable club. It's sad & really hard to lose a beloved pet.

 

[Old Philosopher]

With 235 posts in this thread, I guess I'm not alone.
This morning I opened up the coop to find one of my 3 1/2 year old Australorpe hens stiff as a board under the hanging feeder. External examination yielded no clues as to cause of death. A pelvic exam confirmed that she had not been laying, undoubtedly for quite some time.
I don't cull my flock. I let Mother Nature and Father Time do that. I have a 5 year old Brahman hen who finds her way to the top of the roost at night, but I have to help her get down every morning, She's at the top of the pecking order, but she's a grandma, so she gets special favors. I've lost many birds to old age, but that is gradual, and I'm not used to a "young" bird just falling over.
I'm sorry to hear of so many relatively young birds just dropping dead, especially when they are pets, per se.
I really doubt that cold weather alone could be a cause of SCDS. Granted, I picked cold-hardy breeds, but the only bird I've ever lost to the cold was a Turken (naked-necked) when we had a week long spell of -35F. Her sister did just fine, so one can never tell.
Anyway, thanks for letting me add my story to this thread. Reading all the posts has helped me cope...a bit.

 

[Faraday40]

With 235 posts in this thread, I guess I'm not alone.
This morning I opened up the coop to find one of my 3 1/2 year old Australorpe hens stiff as a board under the hanging feeder. External examination yielded no clues as to cause of death. A pelvic exam confirmed that she had not been laying, undoubtedly for quite some time.
I don't cull my flock. I let Mother Nature and Father Time do that. I have a 5 year old Brahman hen who finds her way to the top of the roost at night, but I have to help her get down every morning, She's at the top of the pecking order, but she's a grandma, so she gets special favors. I've lost many birds to old age, but that is gradual, and I'm not used to a "young" bird just falling over.
I'm sorry to hear of so many relatively young birds just dropping dead, especially when they are pets, per se.
I really doubt that cold weather alone could be a cause of SCDS. Granted, I picked cold-hardy breeds, but the only bird I've ever lost to the cold was a Turken (naked-necked) when we had a week long spell of -35F. Her sister did just fine, so one can never tell.
Anyway, thanks for letting me add my story to this thread. Reading all the posts has helped me cope...a bit.

I'm so sorry that your sudden loss has made you join this sad club.
On the bright side:

There are many, many people who understand what you're feeling.

 

[LeafBlade12345]

So sorry for your loss...

 

[bmayer]

Reading everyone's experience makes me feel less like there was something I could have done. One of my americaunas was found dead in a nest box the other day at 4pm. She was perfectly fine in the morning and again at 11am. She had just started laying again so maybe something was awry internally? She was my favorite americauna

 

[LeafBlade12345]

Reading everyone's experience makes me feel less like there was something I could have done. One of my americaunas was found dead in a nest box the other day at 4pm. She was perfectly fine in the morning and again at 11am. She had just started laying again so maybe something was awry internally? She was my favorite americauna

I'm so sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful hen.

Regards and warm wishes,
Leaf