Chickens dying.. (update pg2)

[dlhunicorn]

Not saying this is the cause of your problems but you should have a separate feeder of NON layer feed for the boys... too much calcium can ruin their kidneys and what you mentioned about their run being nothing but dirt leads me to assume their main source of nutrition would be the layer mash which is not good for the boys. If the girls eat the non-layer feed it is no problem as they will simply compensate for it by eating more oystershell.

 

[mockingbird girl]

Yes.. its a case of beatings. /sigh. I guess Big Black is feeling over run and I know that there are other young boys in there-- just not to the cockadoodle doo stage.

Today I went out and a Americana had its tail feathers ripped out.

I am thinking of giving some baby chicks away that are separate and maybe a few of the older ones to thin the crowd a bit, and maybe butchering the 4 pekin ducks so everyone has more space. We have our house up for sale anyways (with a purchase offer on it), so we'll be moving shortly. It'll be hard to move with 40+ chickens.

Thanks for all the help,

Cat