Advice, Weak Young Hen, Sluggish

[Hotpocket52]

What are you feeding?

If it's a loose type feed that has different components instead of a crumble chick starter, then you may want to offer it wet so the chicks eat all the feed instead of picking out pieces they like best.

Provide grit (crushed granite) too.

Scratch grain from Tractor Supply, plus a little Layena crumble mixed in for my adult hens. Did I start that too early? Should I be giving them chick starter still after 5 months? Also I've got plenty of oyster shells available in the pen.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Scratch grain from Tractor Supply, plus a little Layena crumble mixed in for my adult hens. Did I start that too early? Should I be giving them chick starter still after 5 months? Also I've got plenty of oyster shells available in the pen.

Yes, I'd feed them an 18-22% protein Chick Starter until they come into lay.

Scratch Grains make a fine treat every once in a while, but usually as a whole they only contain around 8% protein and none of the essential vitamins/nutrients for growing birds or even adults.

Once they come into lay, you can provide a nutritionally balanced Layer Feed, All Flock Feed, etc.

Oyster shell is a calcium supplement, it's good to provide those free choice like you are doing.

Grit (Crushed Granite) is essential for the Gizzard to be able to function well in grinding up and processing foods.

 

[nuthatched]

Scratch grain from Tractor Supply, plus a little Layena crumble mixed in for my adult hens. Did I start that too early? Should I be giving them chick starter still after 5 months? Also I've got plenty of oyster shells available in the pen.
View attachment 4169478

Scratch grains are not a balanced diet, it's not "food" at all. It's like French fries or bread.

How long have they been eating scratch?
They're very likely dying of nutritional deficiency.

 

[Hotpocket52]

Scratch grains are not a balanced diet, it's not "food" at all. It's like French fries or bread.

How long have they been eating scratch?
They're very likely dying of nutritional deficiency.

Hence why I mix it with Layena Layer Crumble, plus they are free ranged on the farm and get leftover veggies from the garden.

 

[Hotpocket52]

Accusing me of purposefully harming my animals and saying I'm better off just killing them is absolutely unhelpful when I'm attempting to remedy two chicks that got sick. I'm done entertaining this thread when it's put me in tears today. I feel like I'm being attacked for caring and seeking help. I was under the assumption this would be a safe place to ask questions and I've generally had nice interactions.

There are nice ways of saying "hey that food might not be great for them" i.e.

Scratch Grains make a fine treat every once in a while, but usually as a whole they only contain around 8% protein and none of the essential vitamins/nutrients for growing birds or even adults.

In other news, giving them Corid so far has been a huge help! The other chick that was looking sick has perked up with more energy now. I've got the chicks back on starter in the mornings, I like the tip of wetting down the food so they eat more plus they don't scratch it out of the bowl as easily thank you Wyorp Rock.

Everyone including the chicks gets free ranged eating bug, grass, and scratching around in horse poop. The two chicks getting sick is the only time my entire life of raising chicken on this farm that I've had them get visibly sick and a sudden death. My adult 3yo hens are always at a normal weight for theirs size and lay eggs everyday. Only when I started this thread did I noticed the diarrhea and since treating for coccidiosis their poops are already returning to normal.

Sorry I was replying so late at night I didn't take the time to list out all of the fruits, veggies, and free ranging. I did think the chicks were old enough to stop chick starter and now I know that's not the case.

I hope other people see this thread and learn something from it.
Thank you for advice. Goodbye

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Just a friendly reminder to please be kind and helpful to members looking for help, especially in this forum. We are all here to learn, and exchange knowledge. Keeping poultry isn't always a one size fits all hobby. Thank you to those that have been helpful. It's never easy to lose birds.

oldhenlikesdogs

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Accusing me of purposefully harming my animals and saying I'm better off just killing them is absolutely unhelpful when I'm attempting to remedy two chicks that got sick. I'm done entertaining this thread when it's put me in tears today. I feel like I'm being attacked for caring and seeking help. I was under the assumption this would be a safe place to ask questions and I've generally had nice interactions.

There are nice ways of saying "hey that food might not be great for them" i.e.


In other news, giving them Corid so far has been a huge help! The other chick that was looking sick has perked up with more energy now. I've got the chicks back on starter in the mornings, I like the tip of wetting down the food so they eat more plus they don't scratch it out of the bowl as easily thank you Wyorp Rock.

Everyone including the chicks gets free ranged eating bug, grass, and scratching around in horse poop. The two chicks getting sick is the only time my entire life of raising chicken on this farm that I've had them get visibly sick and a sudden death. My adult 3yo hens are always at a normal weight for theirs size and lay eggs everyday. Only when I started this thread did I noticed the diarrhea and since treating for coccidiosis their poops are already returning to normal.

Sorry I was replying so late at night I didn't take the time to list out all of the fruits, veggies, and free ranging. I did think the chicks were old enough to stop chick starter and now I know that's not the case.

I hope other people see this thread and learn something from it.
Thank you for advice. Goodbye

I'm sorry that you've had this difficult time.

It's wonderful to hear that they are improving with the Corid, I'd finish the course and see how it goes. If you think they may benefit from another round of Corid, then provide them with fresh water for a few days, then start a follow up dose according to the chart below.

Once completely finished with the course of treatment, provide some poultry vitamins a couple of times a week along with some probiotics.

I hope they continue to improve.

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

I'm so sorry things are going this way. I'm so glad that they are starting to improve, I hope things go uphill from here!! You're doing a great job.