Sudden Death?

[CrazyConure]

I have had several chickens die off over the last several weeks and I'm at a loss.

The first one wasn't vaccinated for Marek's, and I believe that's exactly what got her. She was a White Leghorn and died at approximately 9 months after she stopped laying a month prior. She stopped eating, drinking, walked with a limp for a short time, lost the limp, went blind, couldn't keep her balance to stand or walk, and died within hours of loss of balance.

The second was a Delaware, a few weeks ago, when it was 118* for two days in a row. She laid consistently and did so the day she died. I found her in the late afternoon. No injuries, no blood, just dead. She was about 7 or 8 months. Vaccinated as a day old chick for Marek's.

Today, I just discovered my Buff Orpington. It appears she just dropped straight off her roost in the coop. She was also about 8 months. No signs of illness or injury yesterday, she laid yesterday, no blood on her body now. Vaccinated as a day old chick for Marek's. Was hot a few days ago, around 110*, but it's been cooler the last few days (mid-low 90's).

I'm at an absolute loss. Any ideas?

 

[MrsBrooke]

Very sorry to hear of your losses.

With the temps so hot, dehydration could be a factor.

Have you checked everyone over for mites and lice?

When was the last time you wormed your flock?

What part of the country are you in? I hate to mention "bird flu," but with multiple sudden deaths, it's a possibility.

Anyone sneezing, wheezing, coughing, or have a "runny nose?" Any changes in poops? Anyone going off food or water? Seeing anyone hunched, puffed, or lethargic?

MrsB

 

[CrazyConure]

Very sorry to hear of your losses.

With the temps so hot, dehydration could be a factor.

Have you checked everyone over for mites and lice?

Yes, nothing. I have only had one chicken that had lice, and died months ago. She died after she broke her leg and stopped eating/drinking, had wry neck and even with vitamins didn't make it.

When was the last time you wormed your flock?

I add DE to their food about every 2 weeks, but have never used anything other than that.

What part of the country are you in? I hate to mention "bird flu," but with multiple sudden deaths, it's a possibility.

Southwest Riverside County, California. A small town near Murietta, USDA Zone 9A.

Anyone sneezing, wheezing, coughing, or have a "runny nose?"

Occasionally but see the last part of my answer here, no, no, occasionally but not constant and it's been a while - not any of the latest three had a runny nose or any of the other symptoms mentioned here.

Any changes in poops?

Yes, but not the Buff Orpington from what I've seen. Normal poop, except some has been yellowish, but from what I found online it seemed to be a normal thing. I'll post a picture in a following post.

Anyone going off food or water?

No, everyone is eating and drinking, and they love their fresh veggies from our organic garden. Regular feed is from Tractor Supply, layer crumble and before that it was their grower/finisher supplemented with mana-pro crushed oyster shell.

Seeing anyone hunched, puffed, or lethargic?

No, no, no. Everyone is acting normally, and hasn't acted out of the ordinary at all.

MrsB

 

[CrazyConure]

Taken on August 20, 2015.

 

[MrsBrooke]

Your picture looks like a normal cecal poop. Have you seen any blood in their poops, outside of "coral" urates?

I might start by running Corid through their water. Coccidiosis is a nasty protozoa thing that destroys the lining of a chicken's intestine and basically starves them to death. Do you feel like any of your birds are losing weight? If you pick one up, can you feel her keel bone (sternum) protruding more than normal?

Corid is available at Tractor Supply and most feed stores. It comes in a 20% powder and a 9.6% liquid. It says for cattle, but it has off-label use in chickens.

Dosage:

1.5 teaspoons (NO LESS) per gallon of water for 20% powder.
2 teaspoons per gallon of water for 9.6% liquid.

Treat for 5-7 days. Make sure this is the ONLY water they can access during treatment (to the best of your ability... I know chickens are pros at finding random mud puddles to drink from).

After treatment, put some vitamin powder in their water to give them a boost and help them replenish.

I hope you see improvement after that.

If not, I would continue with a chemical wormer. DE is a great product, but become inert when wet (aka inside a chicken).

Let us know if you see any improvement with the Corid. It's easy and gentle on their systems.

Keep us posted!!

MrsB

 

[MrsBrooke]

Also, if you have another mysterious death, I would consider sending them in to your local USDA office and have them perform a necropsy for whatever it is they test for. In some states, it's free... in others there is a nominal cost.

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/pdfs/CAHFS_NecropsyFactsheet.pdf

Check it out.

MrsB

 

[CrazyConure]

No blood in poop or anywhere else.

I will pick some Corid up right away. Are the eggs ok to eat during treatment? If not, how long afterward do we have to wait until they're safe again?

Thanks!

 

[MrsBrooke]

I eat them during treatment and have never had a problem. Your mileage may vary. I believe there is a one-day withdrawal period from the last dose.

MrsB

 

[mcbrown7513]

One Cinnamon Queen hen I had just died this morning. 2days ago she was fine. She suddenly stopped eating and drinking. She always stayed near the coop. Thinking she had a genetic issue. She would only lay on her left side. Just hard losing a chicken being so new to raising them.

 

[CrazyConure]

@MrsBrooke I treated for Cocci as you recommended, and haven't lost anyone else. No loss or slow down of egg production either. I have a RIR who looks a bit skinny, and her feathers are a bit damaged, but she is our Barred Rock roo's favorite.

@mcbrown7513 So sorry to hear that! When we moved out here and started getting animals, I had to explain to my kids that while losing animals is sad, it is a part of raising animals and farming. Despite your best efforts, some animals will insist on dying.