Why are my chickens dying?

[dcsaina]

Yea sudden death syndrome does sound like a possibility although it is just killing all of the hens and only 1 out of the 4 that died was on its back. It kind of sounds like it could be Avian Influenza if you know much about that? Just seems to be something because they have not had any symptoms apart from the chicken that died this morning, the day before she seemed very depressed and not herself (would sit in a corner by herself) but I thought it was because three of the other chickens had just died so she was sad?(I have no clue)

 

[chickenoverlord]

Hhhmmmm, im not sure what you guys have in Australia, but you need to tell someone incase this spreads. If its avian influenza, then it's contagious to humans and very deadly. Their eyes are probably white from being exposed to the air, and being stiff is normal, it's called rigamortis. It is caused by lack of blood flow and occurs after death in all animals after a few hours. (not sure if I spelled that right, but it basically means "stiff death" or something similar in Latin) I'm sorry about your birds. In America, I would contact the CDC or the USDA, but idk for Australia. It might also be a parasite, or obscure tropical disease.

 

[dcsaina]

Ok thank you so much for the help. I will see what happens with my remaining chickens and act on that, will have to clean out the coop well. Will see what happens with the last two tonight. Hopefully it will not affect the ducks or rooster

 

[dcsaina]

With everything that has happened do you think I should still eat the eggs?

 

[chickenoverlord]

Uuummmm, not sure but I wouldn't risk it.

 

[tstoll]

What happened? Did they live?

 

[dcsaina]

Yes thank goodness!! I was very paranoid about them so I checked on them about 3 times during the night to see what goes on with them, al though I have no idea where one of them sleeps, was completely missing in the night but then walked out in the morning. Made me think someone was taking them, killing them then bringing them back or something. Fingers crossed they last tonight. Just so strange because they were all so happy and healthy but were dropping like flys Going from 7 to 2 in 3 days.

 

[chickenoverlord]

Hhhmmmm, a thought just occurred to me. They might have eaten rat poison or antifreeze. If that is a possibility, then you could cut open a dead one and check for rat poison. Glad the others are doing good!

 

[Frecky45]

I recently had a chicken die mysteriously. No reason I could see. She seemed quiet one day then was dead the next. When I had a necropsy done, to try and protect the remaining 2, it turned out to be gout. Never thought of that. Apparently they were getting too much protein and/or not enough water. Not sure how this could be. One thing they said to watch for is swollen feet and legs. That is about the only outward sign of gout. You might watch the remaining 2 for foot swelling just to be safe. Apparently gout can be reversed if found early. Good luck.

 

[dcsaina]

Yea well I am thinking they must have eaten something because the other two are doing fine and perhaps they are the only two who have not eaten anything? Really hard because I really want to get the others cut open to see what caused it but being a student I only have limited money for food (they are my dads chickens and I live at his house and he only comes around every so often) we want to buy more but don't want to infect them incase the other two are sick. I'm thinking we should take them to get checked out. Thank you