I have not lost anymore hens after making these changes

[MysteryChicken]

Just trying to be helpful.

 

[Brooks_]

I'm also unsure that the changes really did anything as the original 6 didn't make it. There is no true comparison. Could've just been a bad batch of chicks.

 

[Michael A]

I'm also unsure that the changes really did anything as the original 6 didn't make it. There is no true comparison. Could've just been a bad batch of chicks.

I'd like to think that was the case but i lost one in our second batch too, same cause. That's when i really sat down and did a bunch of reading. I think high Ph water was an issue and that is really easy to fix but I think the bigger problem was that i was giving them too much Rice, Pasta and mashed potato as treats. They were getting a serving of one of them every day.

I found this about breads which i think pasta is in the same category:
"As you know, bread is made from wheat. Exactly how problematic wheat will be for your chicken’s digestive tract depends on the type of wheat and the consistency in which it is fed to your flock.

Certain varieties of wheat contain starches that are difficult for your chicken’s foregut to digest. Since these starches are harder to digest, it slows down their digestion.

It’s no secret that bread is high in starch, either. The starch can present a problem for your chicken and become a food source for gut bacteria to grow out of balance in the digestive tract.

When the bacteria builds up, it will end up presenting as a sticky stool. So, depending on the type of wheat and how much you give them, your chicken can end up having digestive problems." https://henraising.com/can-chickens-eat-bread/

I was also giving them left over mashed potato and I found this:

"Chickens shouldn't eat white potato

I don't feed our chickens white potatoes. No white potatoes - either cooked or raw. The entire plant, leaves, stems skins and flesh are part of the nightshade family and contain the toxin solanine.

Solanine destroys red blood cells and can cause diarrhea and heart failure. It is sometimes killed by cooking at high heats, however boiling won't reduce the solanine levels.

Best to stay away from all parts of the white potato including the vines and leaves.

(Note: Sweet potatoes are part of the morning glory family, not the nightshade family, and perfectly safe to feed to your chickens.)"
https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2013/02/toxic-treats-what-not-to-feed-your.html

It turns out even too much tomato may even be problematic. I was not sure, so I just stopped. Kept to greens, feeds and made sure they were getting grit and at least some calcium.

 

[Michael A]

Just trying to be helpful.

I think you are being helpful. Thank you.

It's good to question these things. You are correct that too much calcium is a bad thing and it is not standard practice to add grit to feed. That is why I modified my post to clarify i only put in a bit of each. I think it was definitely best to clarify; I only use 1 tbsp. per kg mixed with feed of each and that is pretty low.

below is a photo inside my feed bucket

I still do put out supplement grit and calcium for them and 8 hens go through about 1/2 cup per week of calcium and 1/4 cup of the grit.

Even still, occasionally I still get an egg with a soft or thin shell. I've never seen my lavender Orpington eat supplemental calcium and she's the one with the occasional thin shell. We lost her sister to digestive problems and even she was developing them too. That is when I implemented the changes and after a month or so her bum cleared up.

Also, I agree it is good to use caution with diatomaceous earth. It is not good for their lungs so i do use it in moderation, I have also edited my post to clarify that i use Harris food grade.

 

[Brooks_]

@Michael A, you seem to be aware of the issues and are making judgement calls for what works for you. Just as there are a 101 wrong ways, there are 101 right ways. Keep on keeping on.