Help Chickens dying!

[RiverStorm]

I now get both the cow feed and the chicken feed from a feed store named McDowell and Walker. I've also been known to get it from another feed store called Lutz's. I'm not sure what state you live in but I'm pretty positive you can find better quality feed from somewhere else.

Yeah I`m going to buy the chicken feed from other places from now on.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It's a bit odd that only the large fowl have been affected and not the bantams. It's hard to know, but if you just put out "fresh feed" and they are dying, then I would throw it out.

The date is usually stamped on the white tape portion of the bag on the end with the nutritional analysis tag.

Unfortunately, without testing there's no way to know the cause of death. If you still have a couple of bodies, it would be wise to send them for necropsy to your state lab - I'm not trying to be unfeeling or morbid, but this hopefully will give you answers. (Ask if you can send some samples of the feed too).

For the remaining that are still sickly - offer them some poultry vitamins in their water and see if they will eat some chopped egg.

Since you don't have your location in your profile, here's some lists of all the state/necropsy labs in the US - just look up your state.
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm
http://www.usaha.org/Portals/6/StateAnimalHealthOfficials.pdf
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

 

[MamaChick74]

What was the feed called? Was it Mazuri by Purina? I just saw a Facebook post on this feed...a farmer in Texas lost around 180 birds after switching to that feed.
Anyways sorry for your losses I hope things go better with some new feed if that is the cause.

 

[RiverStorm]

It's a bit odd that only the large fowl have been affected and not the bantams. It's hard to know, but if you just put out "fresh feed" and they are dying, then I would throw it out.

The date is usually stamped on the white tape portion of the bag on the end with the nutritional analysis tag.

Unfortunately, without testing there's no way to know the cause of death. If you still have a couple of bodies, it would be wise to send them for necropsy to your state lab - I'm not trying to be unfeeling or morbid, but this hopefully will give you answers. (Ask if you can send some samples of the feed too).

For the remaining that are still sickly - offer them some poultry vitamins in their water and see if they will eat some chopped egg.

Since you don't have your location in your profile, here's some lists of all the state/necropsy labs in the US - just look up your state.
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm
http://www.usaha.org/Portals/6/StateAnimalHealthOfficials.pdf
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

Thank you! I checked on the white tag and for some reason can't find it anywhere on the bag. I thought that was odd. Unfortunately we disposed of the bodies right away to get them away from the other chickens (and to be honest to make sure our dogs can't get them too.)
We have been feeding all the little ones cooked yoke and the two that are sick are eating a little of it too. Except for the EE. I went out to check on her and she has wondered off. I am afraid she went off to die somewhere. We are looking for her now.

What was the feed called? Was it Mazuri by Purina? I just saw a Facebook post on this feed...a farmer in Texas lost around 180 birds after switching to that feed.
Anyways sorry for your losses I hope things go better with some new feed if that is the cause.

Thank you! It wasn't Mazuri, it was Purina Pemium Layena Crumbles Oyster Strong System.

 

[Oceanpizza]

It seems that TSC doesn't seem too knowledgeable on a lot of things related to poultry (they say easter eggers are ameraucanas), but small, non-chain feed stores seem to be smarter, so I suggest asking them about it and they may know. Sorry for your losses, hope the others recover!

 

[RiverStorm]

It seems that TSC doesn't seem too knowledgeable on a lot of things related to poultry (they say easter eggers are ameraucanas), but small, non-chain feed stores seem to be smarter, so I suggest asking them about it and they may know. Sorry for your losses, hope the others recover!

Thank you! I agree with you.

 

[sbhkma]

One little item to note is that it's my understanding you don't want to feed layer feed until they're actually laying. Best to feed an "all flock" feed and offer a separate bowl of oyster shell or other calcium source. You don't want calcium overload in your birds. And I'm so sorry you're going through this. I cannot imagine what you're going through. I've made a habit of tearing off a tag from the feed for ALL my feeds including horses, chickens dogs and cats because the first thing the feed company, whether Purina or Nutrena or any of them, will ask for is a lot# from the bag.

 

[RiverStorm]

One little item to note is that it's my understanding you don't want to feed layer feed until they're actually laying. Best to feed an "all flock" feed and offer a separate bowl of oyster shell or other calcium source. You don't want calcium overload in your birds. And I'm so sorry you're going through this. I cannot imagine what you're going through. I've made a habit of tearing off a tag from the feed for ALL my feeds including horses, chickens dogs and cats because the first thing the feed company, whether Purina or Nutrena or any of them, will ask for is a lot# from the bag.

We still have the bag so plan on calling Purina after we finish up with the coop.The new feed we buy will not be for layers. Thanks for the info.

 

[RiverStorm]

The Easter Egger died the buff orpington is getting better

 

[cow whisperer]

Did you ever get a chance to call TSC and Purina? Was there a recall on the food? What did they say when you explained the reason for your call was your concern for your chickens?
So sorry to hear about the Easter egger passing away and glad the Buff Orpington is doing better.