I am new to having chickens and have learned a lot over the last 7 months since I got my chickens. I have a variety of large breeds and absolutely LOVE them!!!!! They are my "girls"!!!! Well..... on this learning adventure, I feel as though I have failed my girls since I lost two in the last week. I went out and found one laying in the roost area dead, I had no idea what went on, I checked her body but didn't really know what I was looking for and didn't really see anything out of the ordinary (wounds, bloody beak, etc) so I was thinking she got sick or choked...... well the next day my flock of 46 that usually lays 26-30 eggs per day only layed 5 eggs total. I started getting scared at this point. The next day I found another girl dead, but she was laying next to an egg that was covered in blood. I started googling everything I could think of and found "egg binding". This must certainly be what it is since I noticed she had a huge open place on her bottom (I think its called a vent?) The next day I sent my husband out to check the coop since I simply could not bear the thought of finding another one of "my girls" dead. He said they were all fine. The day went on and I collected 6 eggs that day but 4 out of the 6 had blood on them..... not a lot of blood but enough that I started checking chicken bottoms..... I'm worried about my girls. They have constant access to food that is kept in feeders (is that wrong?) I let them free range when I am there (so I can protect them and keep an eye on them) which is about 10 hours per week (is that enough). They are in a coop that is approximately 90' by 110'. It's a huge area and I have shade cloth over the top to deter hawks and help cut the temps in the summer (I live in south alabama and it is HOT here most of the time and we have very high humidity). I have them on layer mash, I give them greens when I have them and bread probably every third day. I have wormed them regularly according to the directions, they have a roost area that I put tarps up to keep drafts down and left about 8" at the bottom so they can go in and out and I still have a little cross draft to avoid mold and respiratory issues. I have grit in a small container that I leave out for them to eat. I leave ground oyster shells in a similar container so they can eat it as well. ( I read that they need access to these so of course I "hooked my girls up".) I give them "Happy Hen Treats" which is dried mill worms about twice a week. They look to me like they are full grown but not obese... I even pick them up and feel them to make sure they aren't severely over weight and I don't know because their feathers cover it up. I'm doing everything I know to do and have read books and articles to learn what I have learned so far. Please feel free to offer any advice you want, I'd love to hear from experienced chicken keepers!!!
