Chicken Loss

[MrsLFlanagan]

I’ve been keeping a small backyard chicken flock for 3 years now. Out of 12 chickens in 3 years I’ve lost 4 to sickness. Not sure what the illness was that took them. I’m beginning to feel like I’m doing something wrong is this a bad track record or is it just part of raising chickens? I’d love to hear other peoples experiences with raising chickens and loss.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

I'm sorry to hear about your losses.

It would be a good idea to get a necropsy when you lose another or if that's not an option, do your own. This way you have a better idea of why they died and if there's something that can be done to help prevent or lessen losses.

Having that many losses could be normal, it really depends on what caused the sickness and death. Sometimes laying hens develop reproductive issues like cancer, eyp, etc. which shorten their lifespan.

Keeping housing relatively tidy, keeping parasites under control, clean water and nutritionally balanced feed with limited treats are a good practices to follow.