A hen dying every two weeks

[Ccort]

I have those and many more plants that are registered as poisonous, but I’m quite sure I had no dead chickens because of it. Most (I can’t speak for all) chickens know they shouldn’t eat them. And poisonous plants are not dangerous as long as they are not starving / not chopped and fed to chickens.

One of my brahmas...which may be the one laying the softer shelled egg I had mentioned (I'm not sure if it's her but 50 percent chance those are her eggs) has the disheveled looking tail feathers and minimal feather loss on the front of her neck. I had actually posted about that a while ago. Again, symptom?

 

[ChickNanny13]

How should it feel?

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition...e keel bone is a,damage to the sensory nerves.

 

[jBabychickn]

One of my brahmas...which may be the one laying the softer shelled egg I had mentioned (I'm not sure if it's her but 50 percent chance those are her eggs) has the disheveled looking tail feathers and minimal feather loss on the front of her neck. I had actually posted about that a while ago. Again, symptom?

Can you post a picture?
I’ve learned; whenever I have a question like this to include a photo, as it’s really hard to get good responses back that have a lot of advice without one…
For example, you say minimal feather loss- This could mean one thing to you and something completely different to someone else…

 

[jBabychickn]

One of my brahmas...which may be the one laying the softer shelled egg I had mentioned (I'm not sure if it's her but 50 percent chance those are her eggs) has the disheveled looking tail feathers and minimal feather loss on the front of her neck. I had actually posted about that a while ago. Again, symptom?

Also, for the soft egg shell issues —
*Do you see them eating the oyster shells?
*Advice: I’d monitor their consuming habits here, as they may have some picky preferences…

*My experience: With my Silkies, they will avoid eating oyster shells if their bowl gets overly dusty/dirty or if there isn’t enough good chunks of shells in there vs. a lot of tiny broken up pieces. As long as I keep up on this, I don’t see any soft shell issues or thin egg shells with their eggs at all…

PS- They also make a “Flaked” version of oyster shells. They look like little flat chips vs the rocks. This could be an option if you’re having issues with enticing them to eat the shells. It could be a texture preference for them

 

[Ccort]

Also, for the soft egg shell issues —
*Do you see them eating the oyster shells?
*Advice: I’d monitor their consuming habits here, as they may have some picky preferences…

*My experience: With my Silkies, they will avoid eating oyster shells if their bowl gets overly dusty/dirty or if there isn’t enough good chunks of shells in there vs. a lot of tiny broken up pieces. As long as I keep up on this, I don’t see any soft shell issues or thin egg shells with their eggs at all…

PS- They also make a “Flaked” version of oyster shells. They look like little flat chips vs the rocks. This could be an option if you’re having issues with enticing them to eat the shells. It could be a texture preference for them

I do see them eating oyster shells. I noticed that the new food they just started a day or two ago has slightly higher calcium levels. I'm not sure if it's enough to make a difference. I was looking for a food with slightly less fat. It has one percent less fat. Again, not sure if it even makes a difference but I'm desperate here. My girl with the purplish comb....her comb looks red today.
Beyond that, I've continued the B12/k supplement, which I also am not sure they need but assumed it does not harm

 

[BDutch]

Good to hear the comb has a better color now. A red comb is not something to worry about.
I would like to be certain the supplements are not harmful. If you are in doubt you can give 50% of the dose on the package. But I’m no expert.

 

[Ccort]

Good to hear the comb has a better color now. A red comb is not something to worry about.
I would like to be certain the supplements are not harmful. If you are in doubt you can give 50% of the dose on the package. But I’m no expert.

I read that Vitamin B is good for the liver and since at least one had Fatty Liver, I thought it might help. This is what I bought, if anyone has an opinion on this please do share. I am an idiot and don't want to cause more harm. I've already failed three girls.

 

[WingsysRoost]

Is the keel just above the crop or below? That's the one thing I'm not sure how it should feel?

The keel bone is below the crop - the chicken's breastbone. I'm not super good at judging body condition, to be honest, but basically, you should be able to feel the bone a little bit. The chicken shouldn't feel emaciated, but if you can't feel the bone at all, that isn't good either.

 

[WingsysRoost]

I read Vitamin b can be helpful for the liver. I found a liquid supplement of B and K for their water. Ok to add it?

Does she look a bit purple on top?View attachment 3506442

That comb does look a bit purple. If she isn’t showing any signs of distress, it might not be anything to worry about. I have one hen whose comb just seems to go purple like that, but she doesn't show any concerning symptoms and is otherwise acting completely fine and has been ever since it started to happen.

 

[jBabychickn]

I do see them eating oyster shells. I noticed that the new food they just started a day or two ago has slightly higher calcium levels. I'm not sure if it's enough to make a difference. I was looking for a food with slightly less fat. It has one percent less fat. Again, not sure if it even makes a difference but I'm desperate here. My girl with the purplish comb....her comb looks red today.
Beyond that, I've continued the B12/k supplement, which I also am not sure they need but assumed it does not harm

Happy to hear about the color improvement on her comb! A good feed is important, which type did you decide upon? — We just switched to Kalmbach feeds and the girls eat it like crazy and it smells fantastic, like a home cooked meal… it makes me hungry LOL!

I do like using supplemental vitamins. It’s definitely a personal choice some caretakers believe in them some don’t believe they are necessary, but I like to use them on occasion. Like I mentioned before, I prefer Poultry Cell I just add a little to their daily water every couple of weeks or more if there’s a particular stressor like a cold snap.