The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: mcginty on July 30, 2013, 12:01:40 am

Title: Dead chickens
Post by: mcginty on July 30, 2013, 12:01:40 am

I have had two hens and a rooster that just seem to drop dead,
i found one today, she had not been sick.
When i found her she was still warm
her head was very red.
It looked like a heart attack.
 
Any ideas.
 
     Cheers Mcg.

Title: Re: Dead chickens
Post by: chrismahon on July 30, 2013, 08:02:58 am

Purple comb signifies a heart attack apparently. We've had a lot just keel over for no apparent reason and it must have been an attack or seizure of some kind. It can be a genetic thing in some breed lines, which is why you should breed only from your oldest birds.

Title: Re: Dead chickens
Post by: Clansman on July 30, 2013, 09:02:15 am

What breed type and age are your birds?

Are they on a commercial ration? Do they get any treats

Do they have access to anything that could be poisoning them? Rat poison, greens treated with weed killers, poor water supply etc

have you been having any heat problems?

Title: Re: Dead chickens
Post by: thestephens on July 31, 2013, 09:24:57 pm

Just found our cockeral dead :(  his comb had gone a bit purple, actually quite sad as we have just built a new enclosure and the big move was tomorrow!
good to have a possible answer though