HI-
I just wanted to share the necropsy results from my chicken vet on my beloved Bedelia, who passed away last week. She died of Fatty Liver Hemorrhage. Basically, her liver was so fatty it was like butter. An artery ruptured, which can happen easily - even from jumping on to a roost bar - and she died of bleeding internally. The vet said she had 3 other necropsies of pet chickens the same day as Bedelia's
The first question the vet asked me was whether I gave Bedelia BOSS as a treat. It's a big culprit of Fatty Liver disease with backyard flocks. I give my girls a locally sourced organic feed and fresh veggies and fruits for treats. They range in my backyard daily. Commercial feed is really dialed in to have the right % of fat. It can be harmful to add any additional fat to chickens' diets. I gave 1-2 handfuls of BOSS split among 4 girls almost daily. I didn't think that was too much but even a little can be too much fat. Fatty Liver deaths happen the most in the spring when laying starts again, and hens store more fat. Buff Orpingtons, Austrolorps are particularly susceptible. Americaunas don't seem to get it because they are more high strung. Bedelia was a Golden-Laced Wyandotte. She was 5 years old, but still laying 3-4 eggs a week.
The vet also said that chickens are social eaters and will eat if others are - even if they aren't hungry. She said they don't need more than 1/2 -3/4 c of feed per day. I'm figuring out the ration for my girls now. I'm currently giving them 2 cups for 3 chickens, but they don't eat all of that, so I may go down a little further. You don't want them to overeat, but you want them to have enough to eat. I figure if I can get it close, it's ok if they are overeating a tiny bit. I'd rather that than be hungry. And if I don't have the full feeder, I will be able to have a limit on the social overeating.
Just wanted to relay my new info. My remaining 3 girls are now off the BOSS, much to their chagrin. Hope this info helps.
I just wanted to share the necropsy results from my chicken vet on my beloved Bedelia, who passed away last week. She died of Fatty Liver Hemorrhage. Basically, her liver was so fatty it was like butter. An artery ruptured, which can happen easily - even from jumping on to a roost bar - and she died of bleeding internally. The vet said she had 3 other necropsies of pet chickens the same day as Bedelia's
The first question the vet asked me was whether I gave Bedelia BOSS as a treat. It's a big culprit of Fatty Liver disease with backyard flocks. I give my girls a locally sourced organic feed and fresh veggies and fruits for treats. They range in my backyard daily. Commercial feed is really dialed in to have the right % of fat. It can be harmful to add any additional fat to chickens' diets. I gave 1-2 handfuls of BOSS split among 4 girls almost daily. I didn't think that was too much but even a little can be too much fat. Fatty Liver deaths happen the most in the spring when laying starts again, and hens store more fat. Buff Orpingtons, Austrolorps are particularly susceptible. Americaunas don't seem to get it because they are more high strung. Bedelia was a Golden-Laced Wyandotte. She was 5 years old, but still laying 3-4 eggs a week.
The vet also said that chickens are social eaters and will eat if others are - even if they aren't hungry. She said they don't need more than 1/2 -3/4 c of feed per day. I'm figuring out the ration for my girls now. I'm currently giving them 2 cups for 3 chickens, but they don't eat all of that, so I may go down a little further. You don't want them to overeat, but you want them to have enough to eat. I figure if I can get it close, it's ok if they are overeating a tiny bit. I'd rather that than be hungry. And if I don't have the full feeder, I will be able to have a limit on the social overeating.
Just wanted to relay my new info. My remaining 3 girls are now off the BOSS, much to their chagrin. Hope this info helps.
