Yesterday I found two of my guineas dead under a shrub right next to the barn. A third, who was dying, was right by their side. I placed him in a cage overnight, but had to put him down this morning as he was almost gone.
My guineas consist of a flock of 14, 6 of which are new this year. The birds in question, I think, are my original birds but it's hard to tell as all of them are the normal pearl mutation. They free range everyday and can go into the barn at night if they choose before the doors are closed, which some do.
Upon examination of these birds there was no physical trauma that I could see. All three had perfect feathers and good weight.
I did open their mouths and saw what I could only describe as a somewhat thick, clear fluid in their mouths/throats. The last one, who I dispatched this morning, did seem to have labored breathing and his beak was slightly open when he was breathing.
What I find 'odd" about this is that the three birds fell ill exactly at the same time.
I do not use any poisons or have any baits around for rodents as I don't seem to have a problem. Could these birds have eaten something that would cause this sudden death?
None of my flock, including these birds showed any signs of illness prior to this happening. I do understand that birds mask their illnesses until it's usually too late to do anything.
The guineas do interact with pea fowl, geese, ducks and chickens, all of which free range also.
Sorry for the lengthy post, but does anyone have any ideas what might have caused this sad situation?
My guineas consist of a flock of 14, 6 of which are new this year. The birds in question, I think, are my original birds but it's hard to tell as all of them are the normal pearl mutation. They free range everyday and can go into the barn at night if they choose before the doors are closed, which some do.
Upon examination of these birds there was no physical trauma that I could see. All three had perfect feathers and good weight.
I did open their mouths and saw what I could only describe as a somewhat thick, clear fluid in their mouths/throats. The last one, who I dispatched this morning, did seem to have labored breathing and his beak was slightly open when he was breathing.
What I find 'odd" about this is that the three birds fell ill exactly at the same time.
I do not use any poisons or have any baits around for rodents as I don't seem to have a problem. Could these birds have eaten something that would cause this sudden death?
None of my flock, including these birds showed any signs of illness prior to this happening. I do understand that birds mask their illnesses until it's usually too late to do anything.
The guineas do interact with pea fowl, geese, ducks and chickens, all of which free range also.
Sorry for the lengthy post, but does anyone have any ideas what might have caused this sad situation?
