Sudden Hen Death

[speckledhen]

Quote:
I agree 100% with this. When they are coming back into lay after molt seems to be the worst time for a malfunction. Also, as a pullet is coming into lay for the first time, often that brings a hidden problem to the surface, as it did with one Delaware pullet whose heart imploded--apparently there was a defect and it was too much for her system to gear up for that first egg.

 

[apmomma]

ANOTHER hen dead!! I found one of our buff orpingtons dead..same position as the EE but inside the coop this time.

The rooster has been quarantined to a dog crate inside the coop until we find a solution for him...
So hard to think we worked so hard to protect them from 'predators' like foxes only to lose two to one of our own!

 

[CMV]

Are you sure it's the roo that's doing this? Once...well, these things happen, but twice? Are you seeing any signs of illness or injury? Is he that rough with them?

 

[speckledhen]

Check your feed for clumps, which would indicate it may have become damp and moldy as a result. That will kill by making the crop develop a fungus and stop working. Just a thought. I lost two hens to feed that was moldy at the bottom of the bag when I bought it and we didn't see any clumps till the feed was almost gone. Since they were molting, their systems were already depleted. I have my doubts that it's the rooster's fault, though anything is possible.

 

[apmomma]

My husband feels certain it has to be the rooster.. I never see him pick on the girls, but they do have some serious bald patches by their tails from mating...and a couple avoid him by hanging in the coop mostly or perching when he comes near.
The feed is clean, no clumps or mold. It's so strange, no signs of illness or injury. Both girls laid daily up until they died