Help! Same breed issue.

[Kay Killens]

Agree with Emma Rainbow. Please find out the reason for their deaths before getting any new birds. They may have had a contagious disease. Something like Marecks can live in the soil etc. and infect others poultry.

I won’t be adding any new chicks any time soon. They were vaccinated against Marecks and Coccidiosis, so would they have been fully protected? Thank you for your input. I appreciate it!

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

That might be it. Two were a little “different” looking. One never laid an egg. I didn’t know reputable hatcheries practiced that. Good to know! Thanks so much!

I am not saying they do. Just that hatchery stock is a crapshoot.

 

[Kay Killens]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Hatcheries are not known for having high quality stock. I agree a necropsy would answer the question of cause of death.

Thank you! Where is the best place to buy chicks?

 

[Kay Killens]

Which hatchery did you order from?
Also I'm just curious what exactly did you feed your flock on a daily basis?


Vaccinated for what?

McMurrays Hatchery was recommended by my dentist who has raised hens for years.
I feed them a high protein layer food and they get treats such as: wild blueberries, chopped apples, meal worms, scratch, crushed boiled eggs, pumpkin, oats, and they free range a few hours each day.

 

[N F C]

Hi Kay, so sorry for your losses.

 

[Kay Killens]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Hatcheries are not known for having high quality stock. I agree a necropsy would answer the question of cause of death.

Should I lose another, I will surely have that done. Thanks so much!

 

[Kay Killens]

Hi Kay, so sorry for your losses.

Thank you so much. It’s terrible to lose one.

 

[Kay Killens]

Do you still have one of their bodies? If so I would send it in for a necropsy, if you are in the US you can find your state lab here:

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

Also welcome to BYC. So sorry about your losses.

Thank you!

 

[Kiki]

McMurrays Hatchery was recommended by my dentist who has raised hens for years.
I feed them a high protein layer food and they get treats such as: wild blueberries, chopped apples, meal worms, scratch, crushed boiled eggs, pumpkin, oats, and they free range a few hours each day.

The treats...you feed daily?

If so please stop. Overfeeding treats can cause overweightness very quickly.
Overweight hens are much more prone to suffer from reproductive type illnesses.

Treats shouldn't be feed daily. If you feed treats of any kind keep it one tablespoon amount worth or less per bird.

Balanced diets are best for preventing illness.
Balanced diet is the complete, age appropriate poultry feed in a pelleted or crumble form. A whole grain type feed gives the birds to pick and choose what they want to eat which can cause major issues too because that is not a balanced diet either

 

[Kay Killens]

Hi Kay, so sorry for your losses.

Thank you!