What is Wrong?

[Chebird]

I have 20 grown chickens in a good sized coop. About every month, one will get dull, sit with ruffled feathers and then die within a few weeks. Their droppings look normal to me. What could this be? We have lost three hens in the last six months. I noticed one this morning in a nest box all fluffed up. These girls are anywhere from 2 years old to five years old. Thanks for any insight.

 

[sourland]

Have you checked for worms?

 

[Stravager]

When you say ruffled feathers have you checked them for mites?

 

[Chebird]

Have you checked for worms?

I wormed them a few weeks ago.

When you say ruffled feathers have you checked them for mites?

No, how do I do that?

 

[Tired old Rooster]

2 to 5 years old. Breed might play a role?

 

[Chipmunk Chicks]

I wormed them a few weeks ago.

No, how do I do that?

Mites are nocturnal, so go in at night and check the roosts and under the roosts. Pick up a bird and look near her vent, under the wings etc. You would see little black, brown, or purple/ red dots like the size of a tiny pinhead. They are very small, but you can see them with the naked eye, especially in numbers. They're droppings would look like cigarette ash in the corners or crevices of the coop. You can also wipe with a tissue under the roosts and you would see tiny little bloodsmears.

 

[Chebird]

2 to 5 years old. Breed might play a role?

Oh my goodness, we have many breeds. The ones that died were a Sicilian Buttercup, a blue wyandotte, and a RIR.

 

[Chebird]

Mites are nocturnal, so go in at night and check the roosts and under the roosts. Pick up a bird and look near her vent, under the wings etc. You would see little black, brown, or purple/ red dots like the size of a tiny pinhead. They are very small, but you can see them with the naked eye, especially in numbers. They're droppings would look like cigarette ash in the corners or crevices of the coop. You can also wipe with a tissue under the roosts and you would see tiny little bloodsmears.

Thank you so much!

 

[Chebird]

Thank you so much!

Hubby and I checked for mites last night, but we didn't see any. Some of the girls have pasty butts, but a friend who looked at them said that they looked normal.