Hey everyone,
I need help figuring out the cause of death for two of my hens.....
A couple weeks ago, my RIR was fine and laying an egg one day, and the next day became withdrawn and setting in a corner of the coop with her eyes closed sometimes. I checked her out and couldn't find anything wrong with her. Her vent, coloring, comb, etc., all seemed normal. She was not coughing, etc. She would even let me handle her without screaming in pain, etc. By the next day, she was breathing but keeping her eyes closed most of the time, and within a couple hours, she was dead. Then a couple days ago, while I am out of state, I got a call from a friend of mine who is chicken-sitting for me. One of my Ameraucana's did the exact same thing, and was dead in the same amount of time. The only thing different, that I can think of, is I cleaned out the coop a few days before the RIR died. Their deaths were about 1-1/2 weeks apart.
Do chickens just die for no apparent reason? I'd love some feedback on this if anyone has any ideas. Thanks!
~~ Glenda
Need help figuring out the cause of death...
Did you use any chemicals or cleaners ?? Something different ??
Very sorry about your losses !!!!!!
Julie
Could they have been egg bound? If two died of that you might want to check what you're feeding them.
Feed might be a thought.... did you change feed/brands or maybe they "freeranged" into something that was toxic....
I've read about chickens getting botulism from things they've eaten...
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Botulism
Botulism is a disease caused by the ingestion of a toxin produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. All domestic fowl and most wild birds are susceptible to the toxin's effects. Many human deaths have also been attributed to the consumption of food or water containing the toxin.
Botulism is not a bacterial infection, but a condition produced by a byproduct of the bacteria's growth. The organism is common in nature and is widely dispersed in soils. Ingestion of the organism is not harmful. It becomes dangerous only when conditions are favorable for its growth and subsequent toxin formation. The organism grows best under high humidity and relatively high temperature and in an environment containing decaying organic material (plant or animal). The organism requires an environment in which all atmospheric oxygen is eliminated. The organism cannot multiply in the presence of air. Stagnant pools or damp areas with buried decaying matter are danger areas for toxin development. Botulism results after the decaying animal or plant material containing the toxin is consumed. Decaying carcasses are a frequent source of the toxin, as are many insects feeding in the same tissue. The insects may contain enough toxin to cause the disease in any bird that ingests it. Since the toxin is water soluble, water sources may become contaminated and provide a reservoir for the disease.
The toxin is one of the most potent discovered by scientists. The toxin is relatively heat stable but may be destroyed by boiling. There are different types of the toxin; types A and C cause the disease in birds while type B frequently produces the disease in man.
Weakness is generally the first sign of the illness and is followed by progressive flaccid paralysis of the legs, wings and neck. When neck muscles are affected the head hangs limp, thus causing a condition referred to as "limberneck". Affected birds may have a peculiar trembling, loose feathers that are pulled out easily and dull partly closed eyes. Some birds (turkey) do not develop loose feathers or limberneck symptoms. Because of the paralysis, birds are unable to swallow and mucous accumulates in the mouth. Fatally affected birds may lie in a profound coma appearing lifeless for several hours before death. Significant lesions are not usually observed in affected birds. Examining digestive contents may reveal insects, decomposed animal or vegetable material or other matter suggesting that the birds have consumed the toxin.
A tentative diagnosis can be made from the history, symptoms and post-mortem findings. As an aid to diagnosis, sick birds may be given water into the crop, kept in a cool environment and treated intravenously with antitoxin. Recovery of a large percentage of the affected birds would substantiate diagnosis.
Prevention should be aimed at eliminating sources of toxin production and preventing access of birds to such materials. These practices include prompt removal of all dead animals from houses and pens, debeaking the birds, controlling fly and insect populations and avoiding access to decaying organic material. Contaminated water supplies are particularly dangerous.
If the disease strikes, locate and remove the source of the toxin and separate all visibly affected birds from the flock for treatment. Place sick birds in a cool shaded area and give fresh water into the crop, twice daily. Mild laxatives may be used for birds that have been exposed but do not show disease symptoms. Epsom salts (one pound per 100 birds) may be mixed into feed. Adding a level teaspoonful of Epsom salts in one ounce of water and placing in the crops of sick birds has been beneficial in many instances. Antitoxin therapy is indicated only in birds that have high individual value since the antitoxin is difficult to obtain and is expensive.
http://www.msstate.edu/dept/poultry/disbact.htm#bot
http://www.msstate.edu/dept/poultry/dissymp.htm
Julie
Glenda I am so sorry ! I know how it feels when you lose your chicks! It hurts to lose them to an infection or predator but when you lose them for no known reason it really makes you want to just clam up and quit!
How old were they? Could it have been from infection carried by a new Chicken introduced to the flock? Have you had any visitors that raise Chickens, that could have unknowingly passed an infection to your birds?
I just recently went through a horrible time with mine. They contracted Fowl Pox ( Chicken Pox for Chickens) they developed awful looking warty areas on their skin and heads. They were withdrawn and hid in the corners of their coops. Their eating and drinkin was off too. I only lost about 4 of 25 birds . The losses came from the fact that they couldnt see their food, due to warty areas that developed over their eyes. I hand fed or "dipped" their beaks into the food and water , to keep them alive.
As soon as the "Pox" cleared they were just fine and dandy, then we went through an attack of Fire ants! Fire ants killed 5 more of my Bantams .
Just keep an eye out for anything unusual , new Feed or funny smell from feed( like mold).
Waterers that need Cleaning... mosquito larvae?
Since hens died 11/2 weeks apart , it sounds more like an infection of some sort.
Hope fully there wont be any more losses! Good luck Sweetie!
Thanks everyone. I sure appreciate your help. Keep it coming if you think of anything else. .....No cleaners were used in the coop. I have not changed the brand of feed they have always been on. They did not have "limp neck". I tried to feel for an egg on the RIR but did not find anything lodged inside. There were no new visitors, and my routine with them has not changed in the past year. Both hens were 15 months old. ....Around a farm, there always is the chance they ate something somewhere that was toxic, I guess, but I couldn't guess what. ....Everyone else is acting and looking normal too.
...don't know what to do......
~~ Glenda
What's strange is that they were in such pain. That's what made me think it might be egg binding.
My guess is egg binding too
NO, they were NOT in pain. That's what's so puzzling. They did NOT act like they were in pain. They did not draw their legs up, or pull away from me, or squawk, or scream, or anything that indicated that they were in pain.
Wild huh?? ......Are chickens susceptible to strokes or heart failure?
Chickens can have a heart attack or stroke if they are frightened it can be very sudden.... like if they are being chased etc.. Although I wouldn't think 2 of them would drop dead out of the blue on you due to heart issues...
How is the rest of the flock.... it's been a few days, seems like if it were something contagious the rest would be showing signs by now.
Any new clues ??
Julie
I'm still out-of-town, but my chicken sitter has not called so I'm assuming everything is ok. She would call if any more died. I can't imagine that they were scared by anything. Their coop is as secure as maximum prison and NOTHING can get inside. The only thing that can get inside is a tiny mouse.
Glenda, How do you secure your coop? We are putting together all kinds of new plans to protect my one last hen (and future hens), but so far I am convinced that nothing will ever be good enough to protect them from everything!
Ryan doesn't like the idea of bringing them inside each night. :)
Hi mcamden,
If you go to http://davesgarden.com/place/t/614460/ and read the post I made when my DH finished my coop, you can read how he made it. I will tell you that I LOVE my coop. Because the chickens are above the ground, on heavy wire, their droppings dry right away, then fall below, keeping the smell minimal. A few mornings, I have gone out to find muddy raccoon paw prints on the face of the coop - near the ground - below the doors, but because we built a heavy duty coop with heavy wire, nothing has been able to get in. Just so you know, I've had no more than 10 chickens at a time (a mixture of standard & bantams). I let mine "free range" so you will not see a pen.
Let me know if you have any questions or if the link will not work for you. My post is dated 6-13-06. .....Hope this helps. ~:>
:) Glenda