Determining the cause of death for backyard chickens can be tricky. When chickens die suddenly, it’s important to figure out what happened so you can take steps to protect the rest of your flock. Here are some tips on how to tell what may have killed your chickens:
Examine the birds and coop for clues
When you find a dead chicken, check it over carefully for any signs of injury, illness, or abnormality. Look at the eyes, beak, feathers, feet, and vent. Check for wounds, blood, discharge, parasites, or anything unusual. Also inspect the area where the chicken was found. Look for blood, diarrhea, vomit, or anything out of the ordinary. Examining the bird and surroundings can provide valuable hints about what happened.
Consider possible causes of death
There are many common culprits when backyard chickens suddenly die. Here are some top suspects to consider:
| Predators | Foxes, dogs, hawks, raccoons, etc. Check for wounds or blood. |
| Illness | Respiratory diseases, infectious bronchitis, etc. Look for discharge. |
| Parasites | Mites, lice, worms. Check the skin and vent. |
| Toxins | Lead, chemicals, poisonous plants. Often no signs present. |
| Overheating | Heat stroke. Check for panting, wings held out. |
| Stress | Fright, crowding, moving. May see enlarged heart. |
| Old Age | No obvious signs. Chicken was elderly. |
Keeping these common causes in mind can help narrow down what might have happened.
Collect samples for testing
To get to the bottom of an unknown chicken death, it’s often advisable to have a lab test for illness, parasites, or toxins. Take samples like:
– Whole dead chicken (store chilled/frozen)
– Feces from coop
– Blood, tissue from lesions
– Feed or environmental samples
Submit to a veterinary diagnostic lab for analysis. This can identify issues like salmonella, marek’s disease, lead poisoning, etc.
Common Poultry Diseases
While many conditions can kill chickens, infectious diseases are some of the most likely culprits. Here are some common chicken illnesses that frequently result in sudden death:
Fowl Cholera
Caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida, fowl cholera can spread rapidly and kill chickens within hours. Symptoms include:
– Sudden death
– Blue comb/wattles
– Difficulty breathing
Prevention involves good sanitation and rodent control. Antibiotics may treat mild outbreaks. Severe cases have high mortality, up to 75%.
Infectious Bronchitis
This highly contagious coronavirus causes respiratory illness in chickens. Death often results from secondary bacterial infections. Symptoms include:
– Coughing, sneezing, rales
– Watery eyes
– Decreased appetite
– Drop in egg production
All ages are affected, but mortality is usually low (<10%). Vaccines are available but must match current virus strains.
Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT)
ILT is a severe respiratory disease caused by a herpesvirus. Birds may die from airway obstruction. Signs include:
– Coughing, sneezing, gasping
– Blood-tinged discharge
– Swollen eyes/sinuses
Mortality up to 70% in unvaccinated flocks. Survivors are virus carriers. Killed vaccines can help prevent outbreaks.
Marek’s Disease
Caused by an avian herpesvirus, Marek’s disease affects nerves and organs. Birds appear healthy until sudden paralysis and death. Symptoms include:
– Paralysis of legs/wings
– Iris turns grayish
– Weight loss, diarrhea
Deaths peak at 16-20 weeks old. Vaccinate day-old chicks to prevent losses. Carriers are lifelong sources of infection.
Common Predators of Chickens
When chickens fall victim to nighttime predators, deaths often appear mysterious until the culprit is identified. Here are clues that common chicken predators may be to blame:
Raccoons
– Savage wounds on head, body
– Entrails removed and eaten
– Feathers plucked and scattered
Raccoons go for the head and neck, often killing multiple birds in one night. They prefer young, tender birds.
Opossums
– Chicken dead but uneaten
– Trail of feathers leaving coop
– Eggs missing or damaged
Opossums don’t usually eat chickens, but will kill one that startles them at night. They often drag chickens away leaving a trail of feathers.
Foxes
– Neck bitten in one bite
– Carcass torn apart
– Feathers widely dispersed
Foxes are swift, efficient killers. They typically inflict deep bite wounds in the neck/throat region severing the spine.
Dogs
– Multiple wounds on body
– Bruising under skin
– Chicken chewed or eaten
Dogs naturally grab and shake chickens, leaving crushed bones, bruises, and chew marks. Chicken parts may be missing if eaten.
Preventing Mysterious Deaths
To avoid finding your chickens mysteriously dead, here are some key prevention measures:
Provide Predator Protection
Secure the coop and run with predator-proof walls, roof, doors, windows, and hardware cloth. Close all openings at dusk when predators are active.
Practice Biosecurity
Isolate new birds for 30 days before introducing to your flock. Keep wild birds away from feed, water, and chickens. Clean and disinfect equipment between uses.
Reduce Stress
Avoid overcrowding, moving, or frightening birds. Provide enough food, water, perches, nest boxes, and ventilation for flock size.
Vaccinate Against Key Diseases
Discuss vaccinations with your vet. Important ones may include Marek’s, ILT, pox, respiratory diseases, and fowl cholera if issues in your area.
Conclusion
Discovering what caused sudden chicken deaths takes some detective work. Closely examine the bird, coop, and environment for clues. Consider predator attacks, infectious disease, and othercommon risks. Submitting samples to a diagnostic lab can identify issues. Prevention comes down to biosecurity, vaccines, low stress handling, and secure housing. Act quickly when a mystery death occurs to figure out why and protect the rest of your flock. With care and vigilance, you can avoid coming out to find your chickens unexpectedly gone.
