[beth123]

Hi

I've had my 4 chickens 2 week tomorrow, 2 Light Sussex, Buff Orpington and a Warren.  Unfortunately one of my Light Sussex's died this morning.  I've noticed that for the last few days she's been puffed up and has had the runs but she seamed happy in her self and was eating and drinking fine.  When I went down this morning to let them out she was laid under the perches and within the hour she had gone.  I'm really worried that it has been passed on to my other ladies.  My warren started laying the day after we brought her home and we have had any egg every day but now she hasn't laid an egg for about 5 days.  Is this connected?

Does anyone know what may have been wrong with her? Is it something I've done or is it possible she was ill when I brought her home?

Any help or advice would be much appreciated. 
Kind Regards

 

[henamoured]

Sorry to hear of your hen. 
It's hard to know what might have caused this - the symptoms you decribe of being hunched up and diarrhoea are common to a few different illnesses. Moving to a new home stresses them and consequently they are susceptible to illness.
I'd suggest it might be an infection of some sort and to contact a vet for antibiotics for the whole flock who may well want to see at least one of the flock - so take the warren. I'd do this asap as chx can go down quickly once they are showing symptoms.
Hope they are okay.

[beth123]

Thanks for the advice.  I've been trying to think of things that may have caused her to be ill and can only think of two things.  Firstly they insist on getting wet even though it is possible for them to shelter from the rain. Secondly the 2 sussex's had scaly leg when we got them so we have been treating them by rubbing vaseline on their legs and there's been a massive improvement.  We were going to take them back to who we go them from but because I felt they weren't well looked after we decide to try and treat them ourselves. 

[bantam novice]

I agree with henamoured here.  I also just wanted to say how sorry I was to hear about your hen