Chickens loosing weight, what can I do?

[CelticArche]

I posted here earlier about my rooster, Goodnight.

The last month I've noticed now that all of my chickens are loosing weight. I have a mixed flock ranging in age from 3 years to a chick who's about 4 months old. The only one gaining any weight is the chick. The others look and act fine, but when we pick them up to carry them to the pen, I can feel their breast bone rather sharply.

The hens egg production is down, except for the Dominique.

I've been giving them Purina Flock crumble, with treats of watermelon or dark green lettuces. I gave them some blackberries the other day. I have also been putting Nutri Drench in their water since we're also giving it to our flock of ducks. I did that for about 2 weeks before it ran out.

We've given them Corid for coccidiosis and Wazir for worms. Everyone sounds fine when we check their lungs. I'm at a loss for what else I can do for them, if anything.

 

[azygous]

Are you in the northern hemisphere? If so, your birds, except for the four-month old, may be going into molt or already heavily into it. This causes their energy reserves to deplete and go toward feather building, causing weight loss in some cases.

Extra protein in the form of mackerel or other animal protein would be a good supplement during this time, guaranteed to put weight back on. But this is strictly for the short term. Too much high grade protein over a long period can result in other health issues.

 

[CelticArche]

I'm in the Eastern US. I hadn't thought of molting as no one looks like their loosing feathers.

I bought some chicken peanut blocks as treats for them. Would that help? Should I give them tuna fish from a can, maybe?

How often should I give this to them?

Edit: We have some game bird feed we keep for the ducks. How safe would that be to give them and for how long?

 

[azygous]

Tuna from a can is good. Salmon or mackerel work. Game bird feed is high in protein so that would work, but the peanut block isn't all that nourishing.

Few chickens molt conspicuously. Your chickens could be molting and you wouldn't notice other than a few more feathers around the coop and run.

 

[CelticArche]

I gave them a can of tuna when I filled their dish. I gave them some of the game bird food mixed in with their regular food.

The tuna was gone by the time I came back with fresh water.

How long do I do this for them? Until they gain weight again or for a certain period of time?

 

[azygous]

Your chickens are old enough for molt. It can take a couple months to complete, so I would give them occasional cans of tuna or mackerel, maybe two or three times a week during molt or when you think they've gained back enough weight.

Fish is fattening, so you should see those chickens plump back up in a short time.

 

[CelticArche]

Thank you. Fortunetly cans of tuna are a cheap enough thing to give them. I'll keep an eye on them and get back to y'all if they don't. No one's dying, I don't think, so we'll try this and hope it is molting.

I have noticed extra black feathers, but as we have 2 black hens and a black cockerel, I haven't given too much thought to it.

 

[BYC910]

Wazine only kills round worms. You might consider a fecal check for other types of worms .

 

[CelticArche]

I'd like to get a fecal check. However, no vet around here will do it on chickens, so I'm not entirely sure what to do about that.

 

[azygous]

If you have a university extension office or a Dept of Agriculture office, stop in or call them and ask if they can steer you to an agricultural lab that does testing for livestock. That's how I found the lab that does my testing.