I have been a member of this list for about a year, but have not posted before. We have a flock of 24 Black Sex Link layers, aged 13 months. They have been healthy and productive--started laying at 4 1/2 months of age, laid thru the winter although at a reduced rate, and picked right back up this spring. They are fed good quality layer pellets free choice, and scratch in morning, and ground oyster shell grit. They free range over several acres--ate a lot of grass last year, but this year is a bad drought so not so much.
This morning one of the hens was dead under the roost in the hen house. They all appeared normal last night, and all were on the roosts. No external damage. Had the vet post her, and he found the abdomen filled with yellow fluid and numerous small yellow abcesses on the the liver. This makes me think of the posts about the meat bird with filled body cavity--but since this was a layer I'd think the metabolism would be different. He does not think it is a contagious disease situation--perhaps a toxin.
Anybody have any helpful ideas? Thanks!
Carol DeLobbe
Fredericksburg, TX
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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