Help sudden chicken deaths!!!

[Savanna Miller]

I've been losing chicken after chicken in the past few weeks I went from 7 chickens to 3 in about 5weeks. They're all americanas, and all being pecked mainly their butts. One had an egg stuck, but the other 3 just died suddenly. I also noticed that the 3 that died their vents were opened. I don't know what's happening to them but its odd. I also have a duck, Khaki Campbell, that lives with them. Can my duck be the cause? Is she killing my chickens? Are they just having laying problems? Help? Answers? Please.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Their age and your location may give clues to what's going on. When you say their butt is being pecked do you mean the top above the tail or below near their vent? Also, vent open? Relaxed and normal looking or pecked and bloody like an injury?

I'm wondering if you have mites or lice. Look over the remaining birds and see if you see creepy crawlies or eggs stuck to feather shafts. They could be plucking their own feathers to get to the bugs and heavy infestations can be deadly.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html?m=1
A link to pictures to help you identify if that's the problem.

@21hens-incharge , @BantyChooks , @CapricornFarm

 

[Savanna Miller]

They are 9months old and I live in northern colorado. They're pecked bare above and below they're tail. The vent is opened not normal looking but not bloody. No mites or lice. And no eggs stuck to the feather shafts either. Do you think my duck could have anything to do with the deaths?

 

[Eggcessive]

Chickens who are over crowded, bored from not getting outside, or who may not be getting 16-20% protein in their feed, may become cannibalized. It can start with feathe picking, then vent pecking, and yes they can die from this. The red tissue from pecking or a vent prolapse can attract others to peck.
This time of year when weather is very cold or snowy, we may have to dkeep birds inside more. Make sure they have enough room, or you may need to increase the coop size. Chickens require a balanced chicken or layer feed that has at least 16% protein. You can increase protein by changing to an all flock or flock raiser 20% feed, or give a few high protein snacks, such as meal worms, a little meat, or some higher protein gamebird starter. Some breeds can be more agressive, and I would separate any ducks, since that could be the culprit.
Welcome to BYC, and sorry that you have lost some birds.

 

[Savanna Miller]

We built are cool for about 16chickens they have plenty of room. We also give them our meat scraps for protein. But the vents aren't bloody or pecked. I read that sucks eat the young feathers but stop after the adult feathers come in. I don't know if its the duck still plucking them or if they're starting to pluck and peck each other. But their vents aren't damaged or bloody.

 

[Eggcessive]

What type of feed are they getting? A balance feed for chickens contains all the vitamins and minerals they need. The meat scraps can add protein to that.
I would spend some time watching their behavior together. Look for any diarrhea, crop problems or not emptying properly, and standing around puffed up or not roosting, which can be a sign of illness. A necropsy by your state vet is the best way to diagnose a death.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Posting to follow.
Waiting for updates.

I am northern Colorado as well. We have been very warm this year.

The mites are still around.