Why would my flock stop eating?

[kbandwe]

I have a flock of about 30 chickens. Over the last few days they've all stopped eating. They free range the back yard and I provide laying pellets and scratch grains. I'm used to seeing nice full almost bulging crops. Now they are all avoiding eating unless I bring them treats from the house such as rice or peas.

I'm starting to get concerned. Yesterday I had to force water and feed one of my roos. He darn near keeled over dead.

I'd also like to note that I should be getting a whole lot more than 1 egg every other day. The egg part has lasted about a month now. The food thing started over the last few days.

Suggestions?

 

[Den in Penn]

It sounds like they took in a toxin of a slower acting type. I would look to see if some thing has changed in the environment. Maybe something started to mold. I would ask this to moved to the Emergencies/ Diseases/ Injuries and Cures forum.