Sudden Death of Chicken

From: Jim (jim_at_blue-pepper.com)
Date: 07/06/04 

Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2004 20:50:53 -0600

I have a flock of 18 RIR and a smattering of oddballs (Polish, etc). Today
my head Rooster came out of the coop in the morning looking fine and died in
my hands at dusk. As he died he gurgled and some fluid came out of his nose.
He had a full crop when he died, but his comb was a tint of purple. No signs
of any sickness beforehand. He was 6 months old.

About three weeks ago I had a pullet die. She had labored breathing and
clearly was not well. She died within 24 hours. She was about 4 months old.
I have lost other chickens, but know that I have a fox that has gotten a few
so it is hard to say if I have lost any others to these same symptoms.

We live on 2.5 acres and it seems that I have found and buried more wild
birds this year than usual. Any thoughts on what could be killing my
chickens so quickly? And if so, what can I do to protect the rest of the
flock?

Thanks!

Jim

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