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

[NatJ]

No oyster shells until they start to lay.

It is safe to put it out before they start laying. But it needs to be in a separate container, not mixed with anything else.

That way the layers can eat it, and the others can ignore it. (They may taste a little bit to learn what it is, but won't eat enough to be harmful.)

 

[ShrekDawg]

Me too. The chicks don't mess with it.

Yeah mine were curious at first but didn’t eat it lol I would think maybe putting g it down early would help the layers get ready? But I wouldn’t mix it in or anything.

 

[ShrekDawg]

It is safe to put it out before they start laying. But it needs to be in a separate container, not mixed with anything else.

That way the layers can eat it, and the others can ignore it. (They may taste a little bit to learn what it is, but won't eat enough to be harmful.)

Yup

 

[igorsMistress]

Yeah mine were curious at first but didn’t eat it lol I would think maybe putting g it down early would help the layers get ready? But I wouldn’t mix it in or anything.

I agree. I've never mixed anything into feed except a liquid vitamin. OS always on the side. I didn't really notice when the girls started eating it though.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I agree. I've never mixed anything into feed except a liquid vitamin. OS always on the side. I didn't really notice when the girls started eating it though.

Yeah same! I’ve only ever done the vitamins in the water sometimes. Mine pick at it when they need it but don’t seem to be eating as much if it lately.

 

[Tesumph]

There is little-to-no chance of getting sick from them, so long as you practice good hygiene and wash your hands after working with the chickens.

The food would not have hurt them in such a short amount of time, I don't think that's your issue.

There is probably another clue to be found.
What have your temperatures been like lately? Have they had access to fresh water? Have you checked them over for mites and lice? Have you searched the coop and run for anything toxic that they could've gotten into (chemicals, construction materials, rotten food)?

 

[MamaGer8ty]

There is little-to-no chance of getting sick from them, so long as you practice good hygiene and wash your hands after working with the chickens.

The food would not have hurt them in such a short amount of time, I don't think that's your issue.

There is probably another clue to be found.
What have your temperatures been like lately? Have they had access to fresh water? Have you checked them over for mites and lice? Have you searched the coop and run for anything toxic that they could've gotten into (chemicals, construction materials, rotten food)?

I make sure I wash my hands every time I’m near them even if I don’t touch them cause I definitely don’t want to get sick haha. It’s been anywhere from the high 70s to high 80s but not horrible. These last few days have been great. I freshen their water every day. Every few weeks I put diatomaceous earth in with them and they have been doing their cleaning routine. Where they are at in our yard nothing could get to them. There are flies but I figured that was normal. I check on them multiple times a day and love just being near them. I have no idea what they could have gotten. I clean their coop and run about every three weeks and if it starts to be too much I clean it sooner. I try to keep it clean and safe for them.

 

[Tesumph]

I make sure I wash my hands every time I’m near them even if I don’t touch them cause I definitely don’t want to get sick haha. It’s been anywhere from the high 70s to high 80s but not horrible. These last few days have been great. I freshen their water every day. Every few weeks I put diatomaceous earth in with them and they have been doing their cleaning routine. Where they are at in our yard nothing could get to them. There are flies but I figured that was normal. I check on them multiple times a day and love just being near them. I have no idea what they could have gotten. I clean their coop and run about every three weeks and if it starts to be too much I clean it sooner. I try to keep it clean and safe for them.

You're doing a great job!

DE does very little for parasite control. When it gets dark out and they go to roost, pick one up and flip it over. Look around the vent for anything moving, or for clusters of lice eggs at the base of feathers.

How many birds do you have total?
Can you get a picture of your setup and any birds that are acting "off?" Also look closely at their poop for parasites or blood—take pics of anything weird.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry for your loss.
The only way to really find out what happened would be to send the bodies to your state lab for diagnostics.

https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[BDutch]

Yes , its hard to guess why you have two death pullets with so little information. It sucks thats for sure.
Maybe a picture + description of you’re setup would help. Maybe not.

How much space do they have? Do they all roost? How much ventilation? Is it possible you brought a disease in buying new chickens/pullets? Is there anything that might cause stress? Do they have a dry sandy spot to dustbath? How does the poo look like? Does the coop smell bad? Is it dark in the night? Can it be some kind of severe worm infestation. A kind of Marek? What kind of breeds do you have?

Or are these 2 deaths just a coincidence?
I hope it gives you a little comfort to know that most starters encounter problems in one way or another. I had death chicks too in the first year when I started 6 years ago.
Maybe it was coccidiosis in the first batch. But I never knew for sure.