2 dead...what to do?!?!

[MamaGer8ty]

Aw I’m hardly an expert! Haha but appreciate you thinking of me

I’m not sure.

OP... were they exhibiting the same symptoms or different? Has it been hot there at all? Sometimes one will just die but it’s concerning two died at once.

The sex link was acting normal all day. I didn’t notice anything different with her at all. She was ok one second and the next I heard a weird noise and look and then she died. The GLW was acting strange by not going out to eat and looking fluffier and broody. I thought she was going to lay her first egg. This is my first time raising chickens so I don’t know what to expect.

 

[ShrekDawg]

7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
They are eating their scratch and occasionally I’ll add some corn. They are definitely drinking water. They get fresh food and water daily.

I think this part right here might be your problem.... are they ONLY eating scratch??? Chickens need a balanced and complete feed and treats should be no more than 10% of the diet. They may be experiencing a nutrient deficiency or something. I would get some Nutridrench or Rooster Booster or similar vitamin mix to get some vitamins in them faster and switch to a balanced starter/grower feed ASAP.

 

[ShrekDawg]

The sex link was acting normal all day. I didn’t notice anything different with her at all. She was ok one second and the next I heard a weird noise and look and then she died. The GLW was acting strange by not going out to eat and looking fluffier and broody. I thought she was going to lay her first egg. This is my first time raising chickens so I don’t know what to expect.

That is very strange. I wonder if the GLW could possibly have been egg bound maybe?? Are they getting any oyster shell or calcium? Are they eating a balanced feed?

 

[MamaGer8ty]

I think this part right here might be your problem.... are they ONLY eating scratch??? Chickens need a balanced and complete feed and treats should be no more than 10% of the diet. They may be experiencing a nutrient deficiency or something. I would get some Nutridrench or Rooster Booster or similar vitamin mix to get some vitamins in them faster and switch to a balanced starter/grower feed ASAP.

My bad, I just looked and it’s a layer crumble and scratch.

 

[ShrekDawg]

My bad, I just looked and it’s a layer crumble and scratch.

I would still switch to something else. You shouldn’t mix the scratch in with the feed and also little chicks should not be eating layer feed. That should not start until you see the first egg or some people never feed it and just stick with starter/grower or Flockraiser with free choice oyster shell. Please switch them over to a proper feed ASAP and cut the scratch out. I think that will help.

 

[MamaGer8ty]

I would check the poop for blood or diarrhea and note the color. Could they have eaten moldy food or a poisonous plant? Any poisonous spiders or snakes around? Did you notice whether their combs were pale before they passed?

No snakes, I’m not sure about spiders. I keep their coop and run clean so I’m not sure what bugs do get in. The GLW’s comb and wattle looked deep red like normal. The sex link’s looked black. Hers hadnt grown in just yet.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Also is it one of those whole grain type mix or a solid pelleted/crumble type thing? Cause they can pick and choose with the whole grain ones. Do you have a feed store near you? I would see if you can find starter/grower (chick feed) or Flockraiser

 

[BDutch]

Maybe its not contagious but a coincidence that 2 died after getting a weaker from no good food. Giving layer feed to chicks can cause kidney problems.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Maybe its not contagious but a coincidence that 2 died after getting a weaker from no good food. Giving layer feed to chicks can cause kidney problems.

Yup. Plus they won’t grow properly. They need the proper amount of protein and nutrients for their growth.

 

[MamaGer8ty]

Also is it one of those whole grain type mix or a solid pelleted/crumble type thing? Cause they can pick and choose with the whole grain ones. Do you have a feed store near you? I would see if you can find starter/grower (chick feed) or Flockraiser

It’s a pellet/crumble and I still have some starter/grower. The feed store told me to start the pellet/crumble now. I’m sorry! I’m a horrible chicken mom!