No we haven’t. I wouldn’t know what to really look for. I thought it was probably due to their age, but I was hoping to find a common denominator as to why it’s happening. We have had chickens for about 7 years and have lost one or two that way... but lost the majority predictors. We moved our coop closer to the house and when we did that they started living longer due to being more protected. Then all of a sudden we lose all of the older hens to water belly roughly about the be same time. I thought this water belly is due to either them being old and their body’s wearing out or the commercial feed we are feeding. Does anyone feed anything other than layer pellets?
If you lose another one, it would be good to either send the body to your state lab, or if you wish perform an informal necropsy yourself. Take photos and post them - while none of us are experts or vets, sometimes we can help you with what you see.
I do have to ask - curious how you know it's water belly? Have you drained fluid from the hens or is it just the way the abdomen feels? I have necropsied a few hens and found cancer and signs of reproductive issues like Egg Yolk Peritonitis. These can cause fluid in the abdomen. Also organ failure (heart/liver) often has the symptom of water belly too.
As for feed, I don't think layer pellets would cause water belly unless the hens are getting fat and it's affecting their liver (Fatty Liver Disease), but if you have the nutritional analysis of the feed, we will take a look to see if anything stands out.
Your question also- if anyone feeds something other than layer pellets. Yes. I personally feed a 20% protein all flock/flock raiser feed. I usually use 20% Flock Balancer from Southern States if they happen to be out and I really need feed, the I use Purina Flock Raiser (20% protein). Oyster shell is provided free choice. I choose to use a feed with a bit higher protein and less calcium than layer feed - I have roosters. Also for me, hens/pullets that are not in lay, I prefer they don't have quite as much calcium. The feed(s) I use can also be eaten by juveniles so I don't have to worry with switching types of feed.
You may find this video helpful if you decide to take a look at the next one you lose. I know it can seem bit "icky". The first time I did one it was a little intimidating and I also name my birds...but, once I started, it was not too bad. I'm no expert at it, but the first thing I normally look at with laying hens is the abdomen, reproductive system and major organs (heart/liver).
free range. They sleep in the coop but otherwise are pretty much on their own. We feed a layer pellet that we get at co-op, but for the past year we have had probably a dozen on more chicken s die from water belly. These chickens range from 3-5 years old . Is this happening due to old age or could it possibly be the layer pellets? They are laying hens.
