unexplained deaths in my flock (graphic photos)

[CrazyChickenLady123]

If they somehow were locked in the coop, it could’ve been heat. Do you have an automatic chicken door?

If she found them dead in the morning it would be unlikely due to weather normally cooling down in the afternoon-morning

 

[GracePoultry]

Also, how many total chickens are in that coop daily?
If they all ate the same feed and only a few passed, I’d look elsewhere.

There are 8 birds in that flock

Also are they all cold and stiff or are any of them more fresh? That sounds kinda gruesome but seeing if there is any chance they died at different times could help

They are all stiff and their faces are kind of purple

 

[CrazyChickenLady123]

Went to collect eggs this morning and 4 chickens were gone. I’m so shocked and sad and have no idea what happened. My first thought was a predator but none of the bodies were taken.

Spoiler: Dead pets

View attachment 4185740View attachment 4185741View attachment 4185742
View attachment 4185743

4 Chickens who were perfectly fine, now dead.
I hope I can figure out what happened so my other chickens can be safe.
My theories so far:
ate a poisonous mushroom

Ate a mouse that has ingested rat poison

Drank something like antifreeze

Somehow got locked in the coop in The heat (I don’t know how that could’ve happened but just a theory)

Toxic feed

How Many chickens do you have? If all of them died then it's probably from something they ate. Do you have any rat or mouse poison set out anywhere

 

[GracePoultry]

I am so sorry for your loss: How many chickens do you have? If there is only a few (not all), at the same time- you can retrace steps.

17 now 13 in total, but 1 is separated out because he would fight with my other rooster (one of the chickens that passed) and 8 are chicks in my garage. So just 4 left in my main flock but there was 8

1. Bring one to to a lab for necropsy

How do I do that? Is there I process I need to go through and anything I need to do to prepare the body?

2.. Seems like poison- not likely due to a mushroom. Also secondary poison (from mouse, etc is very unlikely as it takes an undigested 1 gram to kill a chicken from most USA poisons). Dont you have antifreeze bottled?

Yes, and we don’t use any pesticides or animal poisons however I believe my neighbors on both sides of us do

3. Do not let them out of the coop/roost until you have a definitive answer

 

[OnlySympathy]

How do I do that? Is there I process I need to go through and anything I need to do to prepare the body?

Keep it in the fridge. Do not freeze it. Other than that keep everything as is

 

[CabritaChicks]

17 now 13 in total, but 1 is separated out because he would fight with my other rooster (one of the chickens that passed) and 8 are chicks in my garage. So just 4 left in my main flock but there was 8

How do I do that? Is there I process I need to go through and anything I need to do to prepare the body?

Contact your local veterinary office- they can direct you ASAP.
Definitely seems poison related. Time to scour the property- find anything remotely toxic- make a list. It will not be something simple like 'they ate too much garlic', physical poisonous items.

 

[OnlySympathy]

17 now 13 in total, but 1 is separated out because he would fight with my other rooster (one of the chickens that passed) and 8 are chicks in my garage. So just 4 left in my main flock but there was 8

How do I do that? Is there I process I need to go through and anything I need to do to prepare the body?

Yes, and we don’t use any pesticides or animal poisons however I believe my neighbors on both sides of us do

Here is a link to find one https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...ap_9gzraQ3OdQ0nQ0o8ZfKOEhOCm87juNhMPoAfFLj

 

[OnlySympathy]

Also you should only have to send in one of them. Since they all died at the same time whatever killed one almost certainly killed the rest. Please don’t think you have to fill your fridge with your pets. You can bury the others and say goodbye to them.

 

[CabritaChicks]

Contact your local veterinary office- they can direct you ASAP.
Definitely seems poison related. Time to scour the property- find anything remotely toxic- make a list. It will not be something simple like 'they ate too much garlic', physical poisonous items.

@OnlySympathy is correct. I will say, offlet gasses can be difficult. I never put samples in locked zip tight bags... depending on time already outside or in a fridge, it can create a balloon effect.

I always advise patients to place a specimen in a plastic bag, closely 'mostly', and wrap in a loved blanket or towel on the bottom shelf (away from vegetable matter or edibles)... (terrible to think about, I know) my heart goes to you.

 

[GracePoultry]

my mom said no to putting a chicken in the fridge