A few weeks ago , Bella — a local comparatively new to chicken keeping — message me , hoping for some guidance . One of her quartet of backyard hens became lethargic the previous day and died within hours . Bella was extremely disturbed that her remain girls would support the same fate . What should she do ?
When a crybaby suddenly dies , peculiarly a untried one like Bella ’s year - old biddy , it ’s absolutely normal for alarm clock bells to go off in your heading . Are your other chickens at risk of infection ? Is there something you could have done for your chicken to keep her death ? What happened ?
First thing first : do n’t panic . Take a deep breath , then review these seven potential causes of your crybaby ’s death .
Sudden Illness
Sadly , there are disease such as Pullorum , Fowl Typhoid and Avian Influenza that can speedily conduce to death for an septic poulet . Fortunately , the United States launched theNational Poultry Improvement Planin 1935 to survey and hold these pestilent disease . Outbreaks are extremely rare .
Nevertheless , it never hurt to cautiously examine your bird for symptoms such as mucus build - up or discharge in the rhinal possible action and mouth , seepage or crust - over tegument lesions , and swollen or enlarged stomach . ensure you wear disposable gloves while handling your birdie .
If you notice any of these , carefully bag the carcass and contact your country ’s veterinary diagnostic lab for instructions .
Heat Stress
Chickens do not perspire . They pant to loose heat and cool down themselves down .
In uttermost heat energy condition , they ’ll hold their wings out to allow for better air circulation near their bodies . When they are ineffective to cool down , they become open toheat focus . They will grow unenrgetic , their comb and lappet will become pale , and they may go wilted or unconscious .
Should a chicken expose these symptoms , she is in danger of death from heat energy stress .
Treat any affected birds by gently submerging their trunk in a tub of cool ( not cold ) pee . Be sure to keep their heads out of the water supply . Once they revive , keep them in a cool , well - ventilate shady place until they regain their late floor of action .
To prevent high temperature stress , provide your boo with well - ventilate , shady places to which they can retreat from the heat . Provide plenty of fresh , nerveless water in their fonts . And offer kickshaw such as chilled grapes or frozen watermelon to keep them hydrated .
Toxic Plants
Chickens are by nature inquisitive and , if your birds free reach or roam your 1000 , they are apt to poke their beaks into anything that captures their attention . Unfortunately not everything that grow in a garden is safe for your stack .
In fact , several ordinarily cultivated plants are highly toxic to chicken . These include azalea , most bloom bulbs , rhubarb , holly , oaks and yews .
Yews are one of the most usual ornamental shrub in the U.S. But the toxins contained in its leaves , berry and roots are extremely toxic to a chicken and can quickly make death . If you turn any of these plant in your yard or garden , palisade these orbit off so that your chicken can not get at them .
Read more : determine out for these 14 flora that are extremely toxic to Gallus gallus .
Herbicides/Insecticides/Algaecides
It goes without order that most domestic fowl keepers do not usepoisonous chemicalson their premises . Unfortunately , neighbors may not be as environmentally painstaking , especially if they have vegetable plots , fruit trees , little ponds or swimming pools .
Even if they do their good to apply these substances entirely on their properties , the wind and rainwater have a way of spread the chemicals beyond their prop borders . We lost five of our Orpington hen to our neighbour ’s algaecide last twelvemonth . Our wimp did n’t go for a swim , but they were contentedly scratch and travail at the ground on our prop which abut up to his pond .
And of course this was the year he decided to stress chemicals on his water .
We ca n’t control what our neighbour do in or to their yards . But we can control where our chickens roam . If the chemical problems prevail , opened communication with your neighbor and rent them know that they are accidentally affecting your plenty .
Contaminated Food
Layer ration foul with droppings and cast can quickly sicken a chicken , often lead to death . To ensure your flock ’s health , always buy feed that is sealed in moisture - proof sacks . hive away undecided feed in an airtight and varmint - proof container .
Should you notice droppings in your provender container or a clopping of the crumbles , do n’t just scoop out the touch part . throw out the entirety in the trash ( not in your compost , as it can churn up savage animals ) and open a fresh sack of provender ( and invest in a newfangled airtight container ) .
Be sure to visit the feeders in your runs and coops . red-hot , humid days and changing weather conditions can cause the feed in your one thousand to go bad quickly .
Dirty “Dishes”
Bacteria and fungus can build up promptly on feeders and waterers , as your birds ’ saliva — and , every now and then , their muck and dander — get along into link with these vessels . Unless these are ofttimes scratch and sanitise , the baptismal font and feeders themselves can cause health emergence for your mickle .
Dr. R.M. Fulton , DVM , PhD , a Diplomate with the American College of Poultry Veterinarians , urge using a disinfectant with no residual power , imply it wo n’t affect the food or water placed inside the sanitized container . Halogen disinfectants such as commercial bleaching agent and iodophor ( domesticise iodine ) serve as a broad - spectrum cleansing agent that will quick stamp out microbes but present no danger to fauna .
learn more : Deep clean your coop with these 10 all-important tasks .
Silent Attack
In the even of an unexpected last , cautiously scrutinize your volaille coop , especially the high corner of the main hencoop and each nest box . As persevering as we are in maintain a safe and inviolable living environment for our fowl , every now and then other brute settle to freeload and make the coop their home , too .
Wasps are unwashed perpetrator and can repeatedly prick an inquisitive hen . If you survive in an field where fire ant are usual , fit your yard — and your coop , if you have a natural floor — forfire emmet , as these are known to dig out extensive tunnels through Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin and soil .
While louse and ant venom merely irritate in low quantity , should your chicken be attack repeatedly , she can become quite ill from the toxins , potentially even resulting in death .
Request a Necropsy
If none of these scenario seem to lend oneself to your wimp , you may wish to consider anecropsyto further investigate the death . cautiously bag your bird and place her in your Deepfreeze or deep freezer . Then reach your country ’s veterinary diagnostic lab for information on how to submit your shuttlecock for necropsy and the price involved .
You ’ll also want to keep an centre on the rest of the good deal and watch for any signs of illness .
The quietus of Bella ’s birds never sickened or indicate any signs of lethargy . Bella still does not know what could have killed her hen . She believe it might have been the horrid heat wave that hit the Midwest in mid - June .
She has go down up extra shady spots in her backyard and find the pleasures of watching her microflock chase down grape halves and melon vine balls , knowing that these treats will help keep her birds safe throughout the summertime .
