Three 7 month old chickens die in one week seem healthy in morning

[MaidMarian]

I sure could use some help. Last Thursday night my husband found one of our seven month Cocku Maran's dead when he went to feed in the evening. No visible sign of cause. We had hoped it was just a fluke. Tonight he found one dead and another who he believes will not make it through the night. Here is what information I have:

1. Breed: Cocku Maran
Age: 7 months
unsure of weight - but appears to be average sized healthy hen
3. No sign of trauma. Did notice some blood smears on some of the eggs collected the last few days. Thought it was due to the very cold tempatures
5. All the birds seem to be eating and drinking like normal. Our girls eat a mixture of scratch and Laymor with grit and oyster shell available.
6. Poop has looked normal. Husband did say that the hen who died tonight had a red bottom and her feathers appeared wet.
7. No treatment so far
8. I want to protect the rest of the flock. Since the first bird died a week ago and all the other birds appears well other than cleaning up the old liter and putting in new nothing else has been done. Plan to take the bird who is sick or deceased at this point to the vet if they can see us tomorrow.
10. Currently using sawdust bedding. Birds are staying in a large stall with ample ventilation.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated. We have loving raised these hens and enjoy their fresh eggs. We just hate losing any one of the.

 

[MoodyChicken]

Are there any toxic plants nearby? Are their faces pale? How is egg production and are the eggs normal? Is the feed moldy or does is smell rancid? Is there water clean and algae free?

Those symptoms are very vague, so I really am not sure what to tell you. Coccidiosis and poisoning came to mind though. Perhaps an acute infection that went septicemic.

 

[#1California Chick]

Welcome to BYC!!

So sorry that your first post has to be about sick and dying chickens!! I hope that someone can give you some answers here!! If not tonight, maybe tomorrow morning!!

 

[MaidMarian]

No moldy feed, or toxic plants nearby. There faces do not seem pale. Egg production has been steady. Their water is algae free. That is why this whole things has me stumped. They seem perfectly fine and then I find a bird gone. Headed out to the barn now. Sure hope all the other girls are ok. Thanks for your replys.

 

[MaidMarian]

This morning was not what I had hoped for. The third chicken did die. I collected her little body and wrapped it in plastic to freeze hoping that a vet will be able to help find out what is wrong. The two Buffs that are with the other hens did not look well. One has blood all over her bottom end. The other just does not look well. I separated them out and am desperatly looking for a vet that can be of assistance.