Birdgrl1221
In the Brooder
Hi everyone, this is my first flock so please take it easy on me.
I was raised with game chickens so I am not brand new to the chicken world, but this is the first time I am on my own with a flock.
I also raise parrots for a living so I do know a bit about the anatomy of birds and symptoms of some things.
I have 9 laying hens, 4 large roosters, and about a dozen or more silkies/frizzles.
I am losing about one chicken a month and I’m unsure why.
They free range during the day on half an acre that is fenced in, and at night are secured inside a very nice coop with electricity so they have what they need in the summer and winter as far as climate does.
I am not losing any to predators, only health issues.
My chickens are also all young. My 4 laying hens just reaching laying age, my others are soon to start laying, and the roosters are about the same age, so all around 1 year or less.
On a daily basis I feed:
laying crumbles
Cracked corn
Turmeric
Red pepper flakes
Leftover bird seed/pellets from my parrots (all very healthy)
Table scraps
Meal worms
*grit and oyster shells are always accessible*
Coops are cleaned weekly, they are only in the coop at night and have access to fresh water while in the coop at night.
I have noticed random liquid poop on the cement pad in front of the coop, not sure which chickens it is coming from.
Recently I treated for coccidia, and have treated for worms with safeguard pellets about 3 months ago.
Liquid poop still persists. I know it is coming from some of my younger chickens and not my hens that are producing eggs. They have separate stalls that they sleep in and the poop in my laying hen pen is always solid.
Usually the chickens will appear fine until about 3 days before they die.
I have noticed the weight on a few of my chickens is less than the others, also combs are not as red on those with the lesser weight. Keel bone very pronounced.It’s like they just get really light, and slowly go down hill… no other symptoms. They still free range until about the day before then I find them dead in the coop the next morning. It’s about one chicken a month. So far I have lost about 5 chickens. The others appear to be thriving, red combs, good weight, keel bone not super pronounced. I have noticed all of my chickens do have a keel bone that is noticeable. Was wondering if that is normal? I raise parrots and I know they have a keel bone and similar anatomy and it’s normal to feel the keel bone but it should not be sunken in.. on some of my chickens they are not pronounced but on some it is very pronounced and I’m just not sure what to do at this point.. any tips would be helpful.
I am not taking all 30+ chickens to the vet, should I take one and run a few tests? If so what should I test for??
should I worm again?
I was raised with game chickens so I am not brand new to the chicken world, but this is the first time I am on my own with a flock.
I also raise parrots for a living so I do know a bit about the anatomy of birds and symptoms of some things.
I have 9 laying hens, 4 large roosters, and about a dozen or more silkies/frizzles.
I am losing about one chicken a month and I’m unsure why.
They free range during the day on half an acre that is fenced in, and at night are secured inside a very nice coop with electricity so they have what they need in the summer and winter as far as climate does.
I am not losing any to predators, only health issues.
My chickens are also all young. My 4 laying hens just reaching laying age, my others are soon to start laying, and the roosters are about the same age, so all around 1 year or less.
On a daily basis I feed:
laying crumbles
Cracked corn
Turmeric
Red pepper flakes
Leftover bird seed/pellets from my parrots (all very healthy)
Table scraps
Meal worms
*grit and oyster shells are always accessible*
Coops are cleaned weekly, they are only in the coop at night and have access to fresh water while in the coop at night.
I have noticed random liquid poop on the cement pad in front of the coop, not sure which chickens it is coming from.
Recently I treated for coccidia, and have treated for worms with safeguard pellets about 3 months ago.
Liquid poop still persists. I know it is coming from some of my younger chickens and not my hens that are producing eggs. They have separate stalls that they sleep in and the poop in my laying hen pen is always solid.
Usually the chickens will appear fine until about 3 days before they die.
I have noticed the weight on a few of my chickens is less than the others, also combs are not as red on those with the lesser weight. Keel bone very pronounced.It’s like they just get really light, and slowly go down hill… no other symptoms. They still free range until about the day before then I find them dead in the coop the next morning. It’s about one chicken a month. So far I have lost about 5 chickens. The others appear to be thriving, red combs, good weight, keel bone not super pronounced. I have noticed all of my chickens do have a keel bone that is noticeable. Was wondering if that is normal? I raise parrots and I know they have a keel bone and similar anatomy and it’s normal to feel the keel bone but it should not be sunken in.. on some of my chickens they are not pronounced but on some it is very pronounced and I’m just not sure what to do at this point.. any tips would be helpful.
I am not taking all 30+ chickens to the vet, should I take one and run a few tests? If so what should I test for??
should I worm again?