Bloating bellies

[Lauria Beth]

I had 2 of our chickens die in the past month about 2 weeks apart. They both had similar symptoms. They began to walk laboriously and then not much movement at all. Their bellies got bloated and within a couple days they died.

Reading around on the internet, I read about internal laying. Their symptoms seemed just that, so I thought that was the problem, but twice was odd.


We've had these chickens for 4 years . They were Rhode Island Reds.

Today, I see another one acting similarly. She is also about 4 years old and a Wyandotte.


If anyone knows of what might be affecting these girls, please share your experience with me. Maybe I can save this one.


None of the girls seem to have any of the symptoms that I've read about of the avian flu.

Thanks!

 

[Kiki]

Reproductive disorders are very common and highly likely if they are eating the same diet. Do you feed treats?

What do you feed your flock?

 

[Lauria Beth]

We do feed our girls meal worms for treats. Their main food is layer fed. I also give them grass, buttercup greens, and other weeds . They are not free range.

 

[Kiki]

We do feed our girls meal worms for treats. Their main food is layer fed. I also give them grass, buttercup greens, and other weeds . They are not free range.

Meal worms are very high in fat. Fat/over weight birds are much more prone to these type issues.

A balanced diet, which is JUST the layer feed, is best.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is good to either get your state vet lab to do a necropsy on any you lose, or do a home necropsy and take pictures of the organs. What do you feed your chickens? I see you answered that while I was posting. I have had a few die premature deaths, and I started doing home necropsies to look for a cause of death. I found a few reproductive disorders, one case of fatty liver, one cancer, and several with water belly. If you need to bet a professional necropsy by your state vet which can be inexpensive in some states, here is a list of them:

https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...7IOlHOhP-eD8qMtZ70RNq6BMO9kVUn3x6so7q0Z_JgEr8

Here is a good video of a vet necropsy where organs are identified:

 

[Lauria Beth]

Meal worms are very high in fat. Fat/over weight birds are much more prone to these type issues.

A balanced diet, which is JUST the layer feed, is best.

Wow! We thought they were good for them. We will certainly cut those out.
Do you think there's more to these incidents than this?

Thank you for your reply.

 

[Lauria Beth]

It is good to either get your state vet lab to do a necropsy on any you lose, or do a home necropsy and take pictures of the organs. What do you feed your chickens? I see you answered that while I was posting. I have had a few die premature deaths, and I started doing home necropsies to look for a cause of death. I found a few reproductive disorders, one case of fatty liver, one cancer, and several with water belly. If you need to bet a professional necropsy by your state vet which can be inexpensive in some states, here is a list of them:

https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...7IOlHOhP-eD8qMtZ70RNq6BMO9kVUn3x6so7q0Z_JgEr8

Here is a good video of a vet necropsy where organs are identified:

Thank you!