what happened?!

[QCFChicks]

So yesterday I come home from work and as usual I go to check my 55 meaties. Well as I bent down to get the water jugs I see, under the side where the tin is, a dead one. I figure crap we lost another one and that would make our 4th this far. As I move the tractor back I notice 8 more. They were all in the same corner all together no signs of any thing getting in side, they were the bigger ones of the bunch. I am pretty upset about it and curious as to what happened? What caused all nine to die at what seems to be the same time? Could it be that a dog or a Coon scared them and those nine had a heart attack? Did it get to hot under the tin?(even though its was only 82 outside) They have been on a schedual of 12 on 12 off for feed since they were about five days old. They had been on starter grower crumbles but switched to a 21% pellet from Co op about a week or so ago could this be a problem? They are 4weeks old this Friday I am not sure when they start having health problems thought they might be still young for that. Any ideas on how this happened so I can try to keep this from happening again will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

How is their poop? Have you noticed any drop off in eating or drinking.

Any symptoms with others?

I just lost a bunch of meat birds likely to Cocci and/or some sort of intestinal infection. It can move through the flock fast and broilers arn't very tough.

 

[homesteadapps]

Look over the other for purplish colored combs.

When we have raised these, this was a sure sign that the heart failure was looming and to get those displaying this butchered. The birds with this colored comb will also usually appear to have some trouble breathing.

Could be other things too.

 

[sourland]

Just a guess but could something have scared them to crowd into that area causing death from stess/overheating/suffocation? Were the rest of the chickens acting normally or did they appear traumatized?