Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[freya_chick]

Hi

 

It's a blue day in the household today - Cyd, our black Silkie was found DOA this morning. This is following on from Betty, our Orpington Bantam who was found in exactly the same circumstances a couple of weeks ago.

 

Neither chicken showed any sign of illness - they were their usual bubbly selves. They both just went into the eglu and died.

 

I'm really worried that whatever's happened, it's going to kill my three other chooks (another Orpington bantam and two Pekins) - what could it be and what preventative steps can I take to try and help the others?

 

They get garlic powder in their food and cider vinegar in their water. They have sawdust (hamster friendly stuff) in the nesting box and Easychick stuff in the base of their house. I cleaned it all out at the weekend and I always hose it down at every cleaning.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks

 

Freya

[laurmurf]

How old we're they, Freya?

[freya_chick]

Both were around 12-18 months so they weren't old chickens.

 

Thanks

 

Freya

[Daphne]

Its a bit difficult to make a diagnosis without too much to go on, as its certainly not normal or usual for this to happen out of the blue. So my checklist to rule things out would be have they been wormed recently and what with, do you check them regularly for lice/mites, are you sure there is no red mite in the house, can you hear any rattling breathing, runny noses or foamy eyes, are their crops empty in the morning, are you sure they don't have sour crop/blocked crop, are they eating/pooing/drinking/behaving normally?

 

Personally I would not be using sawdust in the nesting box - it has tiny particles which could be inhaled and act as an irritant. I use aubiose, but there are various products you could try.

[freya_chick]

Hi

 

They haven't been wormed recently - I've got some Flubenvet though so can do that for the others. There's been no sign of red mite - and I do take my eglu apart and wash them down every time I clean them out. I haven't checked their crops - difficult with the silkie anyway - but there haven't been any visible problems - I'll give my others a good check over tonight. Eating, drinking, pooing and behaviour all completely normal as far as I know.

 

I have used Auboise in the past but they didn't seem that keen on it and I've been using sawdust - the dust free stuff - for a few years now - maybe worth checking it again I guess. Every chicken is different.

 

Thanks

Freya

[Daphne]

Definitely worm them, a high worm burden can do for a chook particularly if its not 100% in some other way. However, I wouldn't have really thought that is the problem as you've had 2 go, and usually you'd notice a bit of lethargy/pale comb etc. I presume they have sufficient food/water and the feed is still in date? You aren't feeding them avocado or raw potato or anything else which is poisonous, or could they have access to anything like rat poison? Sorry to ask, I'm not implying anything, its just that some people aren't aware of feeding pitfalls If this happens again I might be inclined to ask my vet to get a post mortem done. Although chickens are liable to fall off the perch with no warning, it isn't usual for this to happen frequently and certainly not with youngish birds. I'm sorry I can't think of anything more constructive to suggest.

[freya_chick]

No offence taken! All they eat is their Omlet feed and mealworms - same as ever!. I'll worm them then and keep my fingers crossed - I can't cope with losing any more

[sandyhas3chucks]

If they are in a Classic Eglu. you can open the port before you open them up in the morning, and feel their crops before they can escape. If a cube I take the back off and check crops and Butts (old ex bats checking first signs of peritonitis)

I would also check their crops are full at night.

I know some do use sawdust but especiallly with your concerns I would change both for Aubiose (or similar ) and a if they are only besting and not sleeping in the nest box I would put something else in their too... I use dixons dustless straw .

I would also use a ground sanitising powder such as StaosanF in the run as this will help combat a fair few things.

[freya_chick]

Thanks for that - I will switch the sawdust out and check their crops.

 

I feel a shopping trip coming on - it's worth it though - I just dread the mornings now as if one of them doesn't appear I immediately start thinking that they must have gone

 

Thanks

 

Freya

[Plum]

I'm so sorry, if you've done all checks and they are showing no symptoms then it's really difficult. It could have been just coincidence. I had one who died suddenly and I never knew what happened and short of a post mortem it's a mystery.

 

It may be worth checking their weight each week which may show an underlying problem. Not on the scales (though I have done that ) but by how they feel when lifted and how much padding around the ribs.

 

Other tips about increasing hygeine for a while is good and you'll be able to spot any changes in droppings, not that you don't do well anyway.

 

You'll get your confidence back in a bit and enjoy them. If they are bright and active - stop worrying.

[Angela & Ken]

I've only just seen this thread and so sorry to hear about your girls. It's mystifying isn't it.

 

Perhaps, as they are young hens, it is coccsidiosis? I've had this happen to me but the hen went within days and wasn't herself. However, sometimes it can happen very suddently. I would give them Coxoid. You must withdraw the eggs, of course.

 

Have you had hens previously? Coccy, as I call it, builds up in the soil through parasites. We also use Bi-OO-Cyst Disinfectant on the ground to kill the parasites too.

 

This may have been the cause. They seem ok one minute, gone the next. Good luck and hope this helps.