first time chicken owner

[grumpylump24]

What state are you in?
If you lose another bird you can refrigerate the body, not freeze it, and over night it to your state lab for a necropsy that will give you an answer as to why.

I'm in northern New Jersey and I am willing to drive to neighboring states in the future to be able to do so if necessary. I am looking into possible labs asap. thank you for your advice it is greatly appreciated.

 

[Kiki]

I'm in northern New Jersey and I am willing to drive to neighboring states in the future to be able to do so if necessary. I am looking into possible labs asap. thank you for your advice it is greatly appreciated.

Can you see my signature below this post?
There is a link with all state labs listed in it.

 

[Kiki]

Here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...sease-testing-state-lab-website-info.1236884/

 

[grumpylump24]

Welcome to BYC!
Fatty liver disease can kill quick without a sign of illness.
What exactly do you feed your flock?

sorry for the crappy photo, I am moving everything around and the feed into new air tight containers. I get all this from tractor supply (not sure of any other stores nearby northern New jersey) the layered pellet feed and mixed grain feed is their main diet. the cracked corn is added maybe 2x a week same with dried mealworms. (after my friend said they were chunky I started to cut back on the treats and cracked corn, this was about two weeks ago) and I check on my girls often so I refill as needed rather than leaving and reusing to also avoid any bacteria because we do have rats nearby. I also add dried red pepper flakes and then offer HydroHen water a few times a week as well. they used to get a lot of human food as well that we have stopped recently. also my girls are 1 year and a 1/2

 

[grumpylump24]

Can you see my signature below this post?
There is a link with all state labs listed in it.

yes! thank you SO much.

 

[Kiki]

Throw the cracked corn and scratch away.
Feed them ONLY the layer feed.

This is WAY TOO much treats.

 

[grumpylump24]

Throw the cracked corn and scratch away.
Feed them ONLY the layer feed.

This is WAY TOO much treats.

to the garbage! thank u

 

[TashBDav]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet girl

She was beautiful and obviously deeply loved. I think your ideas for a memorial are lovely.

Welcome to the community. I hope you can find some peace here. I'm new to BYC and chicken keeping as well.

 

[Kiki]

to the garbage! thank u

I can say with almost 100% certainty that the way your have been feeding is a major problem. I am not trying to upset you but I want you to understand just how important what you feed is.

The layer feed is a complete and balanced meal/diet.

That alone has everything they need to be healtly.

The scratch and corn are like cake and chips and candy.
feeding those take away from the birds getting a balanced diet and cause them to get fat on their organs.

That kills them.

If given the change they will without a doubt fill up on the junk food each day.

We all think that giving them treats helps them but it doesn't.

I know it sucks to lose a bird and I am sorry your are having to learn the hard way but you are learning which is good. I hope you don't lose any more any time soon.

 

[grumpylump24]

I can say with almost 100% certainty that the way your have been feeding is a major problem. I am not trying to upset you but I want you to understand just how important what you feed is.

The layer feed is a complete and balanced meal/diet.

That alone has everything they need to be healtly.

The scratch and corn are like cake and chips and candy.
feeding those take away from the birds getting a balanced diet and cause them to get fat on their organs.

That kills them.

If given the change they will without a doubt fill up on the junk food each day.

We all think that giving them treats helps them but it doesn't.

I know it sucks to lose a bird and I am sorry your are having to learn the hard way but you are learning which is good. I hope you don't lose any more any time soon.

I totally understood the first time you said it.