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

[Kiki]

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?

No...fatty liver disease is not a respiratory illness. That can be tested for by the lab too.

https://www.vet.upenn.edu/veterinar...s/padls-laboratory/avian-pathology-laboratory

 

[Kiki]

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.

It's not good for them if feed often or daily.
Meal worms and the boss is really high in fat. Like reaaalllyyy high.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you please post some photos or get a video of those having problems breathing?

Any bloat or fluid in the abdomen?
Lice/mites?
Crop emptying overnight?
Good ventilation in the coop?

 

[Bishopalready]

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???

So sorry, praying you don't lose anymore and there won't be a spread to others. I'm a Newbie here and just got my first hens. But I'm wondering if they free range could it be something they ingested? The rooster wouldn't be laying eggs so he wouldn't be egg bound. (Yeah, you know that, but just trying to do process of elimination).