Sudden death in hen yesterday and 3 more acting sick today.

[craxyjaxy424]

Last night when I went to lock up the coop, we found a dead hen in the run. No signs of injury or illness that I could see anywhere and she was acting perfectly normal as far as I could tell all day. I put her in an unused coop for the night. This morning, in the daylight, I looked over her again and her vent looked swollen and yucky. I felt around and there was what for sure felt like an egg. I was assuming maybe she died from being eggbound because I couldn't find anything else. This afternoon, another chicken was acting a little standoffish and not as active. Eventually, after squatting and straining for a while under the picnic table, she laid a VERY large egg. My chickens have never laid anywhere other than the nesting box in the coop. She seemed to be on her way and active again at first, but then noticed her a couple times just laying in odd spots by herself through the evening. My rooster was walking around a lot today with his mouth open, but it was 80 something degrees today so I attributed it to that, but when I went to lock them up tonight, he is in the coop with his mouth open wide and panting. His eyes are watery. 2 other hens have watery nostrils and one is shaking her head and gasping occasionally. Please help me! I believe there is only one documented case of bird flu in PA right now. It was a Bald Eagle a county away from me. I'm freaking out here and don't want to lose my whole flock! If it isn't bird flu, what else could it be and how can I help them???

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

@Wyorp Rock

 

[Kiki]

What exactly do you feed your flock?
How old are your birds and when was the last time you brought a new to you bird home?

 

[Kiki]

Have you ever had a respiratory illness before?

 

[craxyjaxy424]

What exactly do you feed your flock?
How old are your birds and when was the last time you brought a new to you bird home?

They get Blue Seal Extra Egg Layer Crumbles for their main feed. They get treats of mealworms, sunflower seeds, kitchen scraps. They are between a year and around 2 years. Last August was the last time we got new birds.

 

[craxyjaxy424]

Have you ever had a respiratory illness before?

No. We've only ever dealt with worms. They were treated with Ivermectin a little over a month ago and haven't seen any signs since.

 

[Kiki]

They get Blue Seal Extra Egg Layer Crumbles for their main feed. They get treats of mealworms, sunflower seeds, kitchen scraps. They are between a year and around 2 years. Last August was the last time we got new birds.

I highly recommend stopping giving regular treats of the mealworms, sunflower seeds and kitchen scraps. Giving those regularly is taking away from them getting a balanced diet.

The layer crumble feed is a balanced diet.

The mealworm sunflower seeds and kitchen scraps... If you're feeding more than a tablespoon worth of any of them to each bird you are way overfeeding the treats.

 

[Kiki]

Fatty liver disease can kill quick without warning.
Are you in the US?
Are you aware that chickens can be sent to a state lab for a necropsy?
There's a state lab in every state and if you don't live close to yours you can overnight it in a styrofoam ice chest.

 

[craxyjaxy424]

I highly recommend stopping giving regular treats of the mealworms, sunflower seeds and kitchen scraps. Giving those regularly is taking away from them getting a balanced diet.

The layer crumble feed is a balanced diet.

The mealworm sunflower seeds and kitchen scraps... If you're feeding more than a tablespoon worth of any of them to each bird you are way overfeeding the treats.

Thank you. I didn't realize that it was so bad to give them the treats. I always hear so many people talking about all the treats and scraps they give. Especially the fruits and veggies, I thought it was good for them.

 

[craxyjaxy424]

Fatty liver disease can kill quick without warning.
Are you in the US?
Are you aware that chickens can be sent to a state lab for a necropsy?
There's a state lab in every state and if you don't live close to yours you can overnight it in a styrofoam ice chest.

Would fatty liver disease cause them to have respiratory issues like they're having?? I am in the US. I didn't know about the necropsy. I already buried the hen that passed yesterday. I hope I don't end up losing any more, but if I do, I will keep that in mind. Where do you suggest I find the info on who to contact in PA for that?