*UPDATE* She's pooping clear slimy liquid* (Sorry, graphic)

[jandmeg07]

We are devastated.

We got four pullets last spring and they seemed to thrive and were healthy beautiful girls (RIR or Sex-links, we're not positive as we got them from our feed store). About 3 weeks ago, we lost our first girl Rose. She looked like she had just gone to sleep. Blanche was next about a week later and she had quite a bit of blood around her vent/bottom. Yesterday, we lost Annie and the same thing with the blood around the bottom. Two days ago, she seemed to be a healthy bird. In fact, they all died without any warning, no lesions, no change in behavior other than a decrease in egg production which we attributed to the harsh winter weather we've been experiencing. All we have left is our sweet Dixie girl and now I'm afraid to leave her! I'm at work as I type this worried sick that I will go home and find another dead girl. We even kept her in the house last night in a large dog crate with a broom for a roost. She seems to be okay...alert, eating, drinking, pooping. I just don't know. I did follow the links on diseases in the "read this before you post" link and I'm still not sure as our girls really didn't have any symptoms. Coccidiosis? Marek's? I also saw a link on here the other day about internal laying? We were planning on getting 12 new pullets in April, but I don't want to if we have a disease they could get, plus it's been so emotionally difficult to lose our flock like this. (We also have two ducks, a Rouen and Pekin housed in the same coop divided from the chickens and they are doing great) I think it would help us if we just knew what happened. If anybody could help, it would be so appreciated. (Sorry this was so long.)

Megan

This is Dixie-Other than her loss of feathers on her neck, I think she looks pretty good. Can any of you see something I can't?

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[ScoobyRoo]

Sorry, I can't help except someone is going to ask what are you feeding them, do they free range, change in feed ect. Just give as much info as possible.

 

[jandmeg07]

Thank you. We feed them a laying "mash" with some oyster shell calcium in it. They do free range, however with the harsh winter we've had and all the snow, they haven't been out very often. We haven't changed their feed at all since they started laying. They do get treats sometimes and we've only given them what I've read is okay to give them. They especially love(d) the plain yogurt and warm oatmeal. I thought we've been doing everything we're supposed to do. I know this happens, and it's probably better that it's happened with our first group....it's just so sad! I feel as if we let them down somehow.

 

[jandmeg07]

Thank you. We feed them a laying "mash" with some oyster shell calcium in it. They do free range, however with the harsh winter we've had and all the snow, they haven't been out very often. We haven't changed their feed at all since they started laying. They do get treats sometimes and we've only given them what I've read is okay to give them. They especially love(d) the plain yogurt and warm oatmeal. I thought we've been doing everything we're supposed to do. I know this happens, and it's probably better that it's happened with our first group....it's just so sad! I feel as if we let them down somehow.

 

[MandyH]

Is it possible that the other girls were pecking them and then eating them? All it takes is one peck and a speck of blood for the others to jump in and finish them off. If it was a large bloody spot, like all the way around the vent it could be what happened.

 

[jandmeg07]

I don't think it was from pecking...my DH Jason said it looked like something internal had gone wrong? Plus none of the other girls after each incident had any blood on them.

 

[LynneP]

Is there any chance a rat is getting into the coop? They tend to bite deeply near the vent as birds are sleeping.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

Megan, I know this has to be very frustrating for you not knowing the cause. I have not had any bad experiences with mine yet but I still read as much as I can. I sure do hope someone else will see this topic and be able to give you an idea.

 

[jandmeg07]

Lynne ~ I don't think so, but I guess you never know. Wouldn't the rat also be attacking the ducks? Hmm..definitely something to check for. I thought they were pretty secure, but rats can be so small and probably get into the tiniest of spaces. Thank you so much for the input.

Henry ~ Thank you for being so supportive. It really does help. Hopefully I go home today to find my sweet Dixie still with us.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

Megan, How is Dixie doing? Is she still with you? I hope she didn't get what the others had. I'm really sorry for your loss. I hope something comes to light and you figure out what caused the death of your other girls.