two chickens died in two days. need help

[IBGPN]

i have 16 chickens. all different kinds. silkies, a couple bantams, a few game hens. anyway the last two days two of them have died. the one today was a bantam and when i went to feed her at 3 PM she was very lethargic and by 5 PM she was dead, yesterday she was perfectly healthy. i don't know if i could have some kind of disease that i should be worried about all the other chickens catching or what. maybe it is just some fluke, but the first one was only 8 months old and the one today was right at a year old. is there something i can buy and put in the water for a preventative? if you need more info please feel free to ask.

 

[buddy#2]

I put apple cider vinegar in the water. It helps with a few things and is cheap. Lots of vitamins and minerals in it.

 

[hen-thusiast]

Are there any symptoms (sneezing, wheezing, swollen eyes)? What are they fed? Bedding? Here is a link to some other questions that might help in a diagnosis.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3569

We use AviaCharge 2000 in their water occasionally. Get it from Stromberg's. http://www.strombergschickens.com/products/medication.php

 

[IBGPN]

Quote:
there were no symptoms at all. i look at them all really close after the first one passed away yesterday. then today noticed the one was really lethargic this afternoon. i have them in a coup with the same hay that i have used for the last year. i change it or add new hay once a week. the food they get is from atwoods chicken crumbles plus i give them scratch everyday as well. thank you for the link. I will try that as well buddy#2. thanks gang.

 

[IBGPN]

how much apple cider vinegar to water? they have 2 gallon water.

 

[kcfuerst]

Cider Vinegar = 4 Tbs per gallon

Hay is very susceptible to mold if it gets damp or wet.

 

[sammi]

I agree...hay is not a good choice for bedding..pine shavings is better..
best to remove and try and get some Oxine AH..to mist the birds and disinfect the coop..

describe the droppings..in detail..color and consistency.
could be cocci...

check the crops for impaction..

could they have gotten in anything bad? any chemicals (lawn/garden/motor oils)..
any dead rodents, or rodent poison? any kitchen scraps sitting out that might have gone bad? a compost pile? standing stagnant water puddles? any spilled feed that got wet or damp and gone moldy? poisons or toxins will kill quick with little prior warning..

if you can't find Oxine locally..
online sources:

http://www.poultrysupplies.com/index_files/page0016.htm

http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/store/

click disinfectant in the sideboard..

 

[kathyinmo]

Have you wormed your chickens? What about checking for lice or mites. All of these things will kill a chicken.

 

[muttly]

Quote:
I agree with sammi, hay isn't the best bedding. It can lead to crop impaction, which may be your problem. The lethargic part has me thinking, have they ever been wormed? What do their poops look like? Like stated above, lice, mites and worms can all kill a chicken. Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[hen-thusiast]

Sorry - that post above from muttly, was really me. Forgot my DH was logged in.