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hens dying

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  • 06-11-2014 10:26pm
    #1
    zoe 3619
    Registered Users Posts: 624 ✭✭✭


    Hi.any advice appreciated.I have about 30 chickens,have been keeping them for years with no problems.they are out loose during the day with loads of ground to cover,and at night they head into a secure shed along with some ducks,guinea fowl etc.the last few weeks I've lost a few if them.go downhill very fast.become listless,sit on the floor of the shed instead of going up on the perch-usually dead by the morning.they're pretty much young healthy birds.anyone got any ideas?


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    #2
    Birdnuts
    Registered Users Posts: 9,640 ✭✭✭Birdnuts


    Theres any number of poultry diseases that have similar symptoms. The sudden change in weather can bring about some of these conditions, some of which thrive in moist damp spells. Best get one of the birds checked out by your vet when you notice it is becoming poorly.


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    #3
    aonb
    Registered Users Posts: 3,277 ✭✭✭aonb


    If you have lost a few with similar symptoms, sounds like there could be some infection in your flock. As previous poster said, a good idea to get your vet - if you have one that knows poultry in your area - to look at one when its ill, or even bring in a dead one. Any rattling or bad breathing sounds when they are off the perch? Is their comb/wattle pale or purple? Have you changed the bedding/litter? Have you changed the food/water? Is the shed well ventilated? Is there a weed/plant growing now that they are suddently eating - all unlikely but you never know... Have you lost any of the ducks or guinea fowl? You could phone your vet and ask for a poultry specific antibiotic and dose them all...

    Its strange that this has been going on over a few weeks - an infection might go through the flock a bit quicker than that - but depends on what the bug is I suppose... sorry, not of much help to you. Its awful watching them wondering what the heck is happening.


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    #4
    Base price
    Registered Users Posts: 11,160 ✭✭✭✭Base price


    Zoe 3619- have any of the sick birds got weeping/discharge coming from their eyes and or sneezing symptoms. Have you bought in any new stock recently that has mixed with your flock?


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    #5
    MmC1980
    Registered Users Posts: 19 ✭MmC1980


    speaking from experiance id guess either red mite or cocci. sounds like red mite they are visable during the day check the hens at night with a light


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    #6
    aonb
    Registered Users Posts: 3,277 ✭✭✭aonb


    Unless there is a massive red mite infestation, I dont think hens will be dying without the keeper noticing mites in the coops or actually on the birds. The hens would be VERY anaemic surely, and the keeper would notice those symptoms??


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    #7
    razor8
    Registered Users Posts: 2,317 ✭✭✭razor8


    Any car batteries or that lying around?


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    #8
    Delwood1980
    Registered Users Posts: 1 ✭Delwood1980


    Hi,

    We have 7 old hens that have stopped laying and have problems with their feet etc.

    Does anyone know of somebody who would take them from us for compassionate disposal?

    Borris, County Carlow region.


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