Very Ill/Dying Chicken

[Lottie Gooch]

I started with 7 new chickens this spring. 2 were from a friend who hatched rare breeds, and 5 were from a poultry farm. In Nov, one of the rare breeds got very ill, before she began laying. Lethargy, unable to stand, no eating/drinking, extreme loss of body mass in a short about of time, bright green watery poo (that’s the technical term, right?), and finally, what seemed to be small seizures before she died. This all happened in less that 24 hrs after I noticed she was slowly separating herself from the others. Yesterday (March 1 - 4 mo later), the 2nd rare breed chicken from our friend started with the same symptoms. I have her inside the house now, but she’s quickly fading (already seizing). My question, is this something I could’ve prevented? How do I protect my other ladies? They seem fine now, but Julia Sugarbaker (my current sick girl) also seemed fine 24 hrs ago. I’m so new at this! Help! Hit me with your wisdom and insight!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Protect the others by having a necropsy of the bird that is ailing.
Lab results are the only way to know for sure what is wrong.
What state are you in? Your state poultry lab will be the least expensive and most conclusive place to get one done.

 

[Eggcessive]

Agreed that a professional necropsy by the state vet or poultry lab is in order. There could be some sort of virus in your flock, such as Mareks or others, that could make all chickens carriers. Sorry that you are having problems.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

We recommend that since there are so many things that can cause sudden death and nothing I can think of results in those symptoms in the collective.
Could they have possibly gotten into some moldy grain or feed or even mold in the litter?
Toxins from mold could cause some of those symptoms and the toxicosis can make them susceptible to other diseases.

 

[Lottie Gooch]

Thank you all for your help! I love BYC...there are even helpful and visual tips for sending your chicken in for a test. @ChickenCanoe - yes! It's very possible. I'm in Northern CT, and it's been raining for days...weeks. I've been trying to keep the coop and run dry, but that's a high possibility! I cleaned out everything this a.m. after I read your post. Thank you! I also let them out the other day, when we had a break in the weather, they went deep into my neighbor's woods, and it's very possible they got into something there. I'm keeping a close eye. And will send Julia Sugarbaker's body in for testing *she passed shortly after I submitted this question. Thank you all!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Here is your lab.
Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
University of Connecticut, Unit 3089
61 North Eagleville Road
Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3089
Phone: 860-486-3738

Here is information on how to send them which may be overkill but definitely works.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures.799747/
It is probably best to call and ask how they want the specimen submitted.
Sometimes they will send you a FedEx shipping label.
Some states are free. Some are costly. It is pricey here but with very rare birds that I breed, I have to know why a bird died.