Sudden death of Red Star hens

[cherylwillard1]

Has anyone had red star (red sex link) hens? I bought a couple as adults from a local farm last April. In November, I lost the oldest (an assumption on my part because she was larger and had a bigger comb) suddenly. She was lethargic and sleeping on the floor of the coop (in the deep straw) a day before I found her dead. Now the other red star is exhibiting similar behavior to the one that died. Droopy wings, lethargic, not eating (but drinking a lot) and a bit wobbly. She also wont lay down on her haunches like a hen in the nest box; she stands up in the make shift nest we have. We're keeping her inside in the laundry room, where it's quiet, dark, and warm. Praying she makes it through the night, then I think she'll be ok. Any clues as to what's going on? My sense is maybe she fell of the roost and caught a chill, but I'm mostly guessing. I really like her, and I liked her older sibling. They're sweet chickens with a curious and friendly nature, and GREAT layers, one a day, sometimes a REALLY big egg. Anyway, just wondering if this is breed specific, or if the really wet, warm weather may be a factor? I guess I'm grasping at straws, but I don't want something insidious overtaking my whole flock...

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you checked her for being egg bound, by inserting a finger into her vent about an inch? Also, feel of her crop first thing in the morning before she has time to eat or drink anything, to make sure that it has emptied. As the day goes on it is normal for the crop to gradually feel with food and water. What do her poops look like—any diarrhea or blood?

Look her over for the signs of lice and mites under her vent and elsewhere on her skin. Can you give her some water with electrolytes? Try offering her some cooked chopped egg along with some wet chicken feed. Is she able to walk normally? It is hard to know what killed your other chicken, but if you should lose this hen, please get a necropsy by your state vet. The body should be kept refrigerated, and you can contact them in this link:
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[cherylwillard1]

I did an external feel of her bottom, it doesn't feel like there's an egg stuck in there; she's soft and pliable around her vent. I haven't put my finger in there, I don't want to make her more uncomfortable than she already is. Her crop feels completely empty, and that's worrisome because she hasn't eaten at all today that I've seen. She has been drinking a large amount of water, and her poops are watery and yellow. Her skin looks ok, but I haven't made a thorough check. She walks a bit slow and unsteady, but she can move if she has to. She seems to prefer just sitting, and seems content in the warm, dark room. She did finally settle down and squat in the makeshift nest we have for her. If she doesn't survive, it may be worth deeper investigation. Thank you for your help and information. We're hoping for the best and doing what we can to keep her comfortable. - and I'll try to get some electrolytes in her. I thought I had that vinegar with "the mother" in it, but I can't find it - probably got used up.

 

[Eggcessive]

The vinegar is not important nor is it necessary. Do you have any Poultry NutriDrench to give her a couple of drops into her beak? Or do you have electrolytes, Pedialyte, or some gatorade that you could offer and dip her beak into? If you could offer some chopped cooked egg or some watery chicken feed made wet with water.

Her runny yellow poops could be from something like coccidiosis, or they could be because of an infection somewhere. Hens who are great layers can frequently have reproductive problems, from egg binding, to laying internally, or having infection in the oviduct. If you can post any pictures of droppings, sometimes that can be helpful.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Sorry to hear about your poor chicken. Did you manage to get poultry vitamins or electrolytes into her?
Were you told what age these chickens are?

 

[cherylwillard1]

Well, unfortunately, my girl didn't make it through the night. I didn't manage to get any electrolytes in her because we didn't have any in the house. She did have what looked like a somewhat normal dropping late in the evening, with color and some solidity. Can't believe I'm on here discussing chicken droppings! :0 But if it helps me keep another hen from suffering, I'm willing. She was even a little perky last night before we went to bed. This is the second chicken that I've lost like this in the last two months. The chickens were definitely at least 18 months to 2 years old, as I bought them from a local farm and they were already laying and had full size and combs. The person who sold them to me said they were all "about a year". They were also the same breed, but they were the only two I had. I have an Ameracauna also from that farm. The rest were hatchlings that I got in April and all seem very fit and healthy. If I see any other hens exhibiting this behavior, they will be going directly to the vet. Thank you all for the support and information.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. It would be good if you could get a necropsy by your state vet to try and find out if she had something contagious which could affect your other chickens. The body needs to be kept refrigerated. Here is some contact info for most state vets or poultry labs:
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

If you cannot get a professional necropsy, you can open her abomen yourself and take pictures of her organs which you can post here for opinions. That may get some answers if it is something more obvious. Here is a guide with pictures of what the abdominal organs are:
http://web.uconn.edu/poultry/poultrypages/Poultry necropsy manual 02008.pdf

 

[Kiki]

I'm sorry for your loss.
Reproductive problems are common with production type chickens at this age.
Not something that can be fixed so to speak.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

I'm really sorry!
Yep, chicken poop becomes natural conversation
Just a suggestion, electrolytes and poultry vitamins (such as nutri drench) can be really helpful and I keep a stock in my Chicken First Aid box - it's worth thinking about keeping a supply for emergencies. They may not be used often, or even ever! But when you need em, you need em.
I hope this is the end of your losses at this time