First birthday today & she died

[Relleoms]

Here is a partial reply from our vet: “I've researched into the fatty liver syndrome, and it appears to have a genetic issue, as well as a whole host of predisposing factors. You guys are feeding a good diet, and your hens are free range, which greatly decreases the likelihood, but unfortunately does not completely negate the risk.“

She also attached this link for additional information:http://www.hyline.com/userdocs/pages/TU_FLHS_ENG.pdf

So, the takeaway (at least for me), is to continue doing what we’re doing andrealize some things are beyond ourcontrol. We’re still going to keep themfrom the wild bird seed, though.

 

[rebrascora]

I agree with the vet that you are feeding a good diet. The problem may be that some of your hens are not eating a good diet. It is like setting a table with a mixture of dishes including burgers and fries and salad and cakes every day and then letting a group of children eat whatever they want from the table without any guidance or control. There may be a balanced diet available on the table but some children will choose fries and cakes every time and others may prefer meat and the odd one may eat some salad. Mixed grain feeds are like that. The chickens can pick which bits they want to eat because the particles are large enough to differentiate between them. I appreciate you saying that the feed you give them is corn free, but it still contains wheat and barley as the main ingredients which are higher carbohydrate and they will usually choose those over the higher protein peas and lentils. If you want to do an experiment, place a handful of feed down on a clean surface like a large plastic tray and watch them scratch through it to find their favourite bits and watch what they eat first and what is left until last or not eaten.

It is entirely your choice what you want to feed your flock. I am just trying to better explain my point which is that an apparently healthy feed like Scratch and Peck can be a health risk to some chickens because they have a choice as to which components of it they eat, whereas a pellet or crumble ensures that they have to eat all of it.

Best wishes

Barbara

 

[Relleoms]

I agree with the vet that you are feeding a good diet. The problem may be that some of your hens are not eating a good diet. It is like setting a table with a mixture of dishes including burgers and fries and salad and cakes every day and then letting a group of children eat whatever they want from the table without any guidance or control. There may be a balanced diet available on the table but some children will choose fries and cakes every time and others may prefer meat and the odd one may eat some salad. Mixed grain feeds are like that. The chickens can pick which bits they want to eat because the particles are large enough to differentiate between them. I appreciate you saying that the feed you give them is corn free, but it still contains wheat and barley as the main ingredients which are higher carbohydrate and they will usually choose those over the higher protein peas and lentils. If you want to do an experiment, place a handful of feed down on a clean surface like a large plastic tray and watch them scratch through it to find their favourite bits and watch what they eat first and what is left until last or not eaten.

It is entirely your choice what you want to feed your flock. I am just trying to better explain my point which is that an apparently healthy feed like Scratch and Peck can be a health risk to some chickens because they have a choice as to which components of it they eat, whereas a pellet or crumble ensures that they have to eat all of it.

Best wishes

Barbara

I wasn’t very clear in my previous message. We stopped feeding the whole grain feed a few weeks ago and will continue feeding all-flock crumbles, both dry & fermented, with oyster shell on the side. We’ve also removed the wild bird feeders.

 

[featherhead007]

So the preliminary necropsy results show she died of hemorrhagic liver due to fatty liver disease caused by obesity. So now to figure out how to keep the rest of my flock alive. Thing is, she weighed less than 5 lbs & free ranged almost all day. Plus they very rarely get treats other than seed that’s fallen from the wild bird feeders and an occasional scrambled egg. I’m hoping my vet can offer some suggestions.

Now I'm stressed, my hens are quite fat and i treat them too much I think

 

[featherhead007]

Thanks for the info! She actually weighed less than 5 pounds; Easter Eggers should weigh 4-8lbs is my understanding, and they free range nearly all day! And the only junk food is actually feed (besides wild bird seed) so I don’t know I’m hoping when they get the final report back there will be more information. At some point you do what you can & hope for the best. I think that’s where we are at.

My easter egger Canna Canna

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

such a beautiful bird!!!!

 

[Relleoms]

My easter egger Canna CannaView attachment 1369377

Very pretty! I love EE’s!

 

[featherhead007]

Very pretty! I love EE’s!

When I looked at your bird, I noticed a resemblance, I feel for your loss. So sorry

 

[featherhead007]

I have lost a few myself..I never really get over it!

 

[Kiki]

I agree with the vet that you are feeding a good diet. The problem may be that some of your hens are not eating a good diet. It is like setting a table with a mixture of dishes including burgers and fries and salad and cakes every day and then letting a group of children eat whatever they want from the table without any guidance or control. There may be a balanced diet available on the table but some children will choose fries and cakes every time and others may prefer meat and the odd one may eat some salad. Mixed grain feeds are like that. The chickens can pick which bits they want to eat because the particles are large enough to differentiate between them. I appreciate you saying that the feed you give them is corn free, but it still contains wheat and barley as the main ingredients which are higher carbohydrate and they will usually choose those over the higher protein peas and lentils. If you want to do an experiment, place a handful of feed down on a clean surface like a large plastic tray and watch them scratch through it to find their favourite bits and watch what they eat first and what is left until last or not eaten.

It is entirely your choice what you want to feed your flock. I am just trying to better explain my point which is that an apparently healthy feed like Scratch and Peck can be a health risk to some chickens because they have a choice as to which components of it they eat, whereas a pellet or crumble ensures that they have to eat all of it.

Best wishes

Barbara

THIS is what I was trying to say earlier.