Sad day

[little duck]

Came home today to find my Speckledy dead! She was off on Tuesday all day, not wanting to move, head on the floor, tail feathers down and very light wattle and comb. I gave her some ACV in her water and some food close by(she did keep eating and drinking when I was sat with her for 30mins). When I opened up Wednesday morning she came flying out like her usual self, was sat on my welly, but sadly this afternoon her symptoms showed again about 15:00 and when I came home at 18:00 she was laid out not moving.

She's on the same food as she's always been and we have only had our 6 girls since mid April. All the others seem fine so far.

Anything thing I should out for/be doing differently, or is it just a case of bad luck?

Any help appreciated!

[Scarlet]

Were they young birds?

[little duck]

Yeah got them POL mid April time. The others seem fine but I'm worried something might get them. They were all from the same place so am worried about infections from birth!

[Nannysally99]

That's sad Little Duck

[Scarlet]

Yeah got them POL mid April time. The others seem fine but I'm worried something might get them. They were all from the same place so am worried about infections from birth!

My first thought is worms or coccidosis. What is the "poo" like of the remaining birds? Any blood present? Any ruffled feathers?

[little duck]

One of the hens has very funny brown poo, but not sure which one does it if I'm honest. All have looked healthy since we got them, it was very unexpected! I'd planned on worming after 3 months from what I've read and that was due this weekend which is a real kicker. I have given 1 week of ACV every month since I've had them.

[fishpond]

Sadly, when you have livestock you will get dead stock.
It is unfortunate that she died so young, it is possible that what she died of may be catching, but personally I think not.
Their little bodies must go through some massive changes in a very short space of time, so mortalities should be expected - not nice, but expected.
Keep an eye on the rest for any signs for a few days, even though I suspect it is a one off.
P.s I have 2 speckeldys, they still lay an occasional softy, but no proper eggs--haven't done for about 12 months----lovely birds.
Enjoy the company of the others you have and make sure you worm them when due.

[Nicos]

Aww...that's sad.

We have the occasional bird which seemed absolutey 100% one evening and find it dead the next morning.
Doesn't happen often but it's always a shock and you wonder what signs you may have missed.
It could just have had a dodgy heart from birth perhaps.
Still, always sad news.

[muddled]

aww...and speckeldys are so lovely!
What a shame.

I agree with fishpond, where there's livestock there's deadstock and chickens often don't display symptoms until it is too late.
She could just have had a dickie heart but I would give the coop and run a nice clean and worm the others just in case....if only to make yourself feel a little better (because I really don't think you did anything wrong)

[Stan79]

Yep - as muddled says, a good reason to clean the coop out, worm the remainder of the hens, change the bedding on the floor of the run, disinfect the feeders and drinkers, etc, etc.

Have you checked for red mite?
What will you use for worming?

[little duck]

The coop was creosoted (the proper stuff) in March just before I got them. I use Diatom when I change all bedding and nest boxes and stagger doing the inner and outer sections of the coop run. I did see some ground sanitising powder at my local ag supplier so might get some of that to do the uncovered outside area. I have purchased Flubenvet to worm and will mix when it arrives. I am under instructions from the wife to get another (possibly two) more Speckledy so will worm once I get them and then there all done!

[Scarlet]

Sounds like your're on top of it all. Though I fear your wife has the bug....she'll want two more now, then another four and on it goes

I had a link to a "poo chart" it's handy to know what is normal and what isn't, unfortunately Icant find it but I will add it as soon as I do.

[Verinda]

Ah it's so sad to loose a hen, it's really the hardest part about having animals.