I Need Constructive Criticism / Advice

[Kiki]

We use a locally produced feed, we used to buy organic layer feed from our local country store but we found they had more health issues with that, the locally produced one is much grittier, the country store one was like a powder almost. We feed them happy hen treats for worms and I keep a container of oyster shell available to them in the run. I have not collected poop for worm testing.

I am wanting to know if it is a complete pelleted or crumble type feed or if it is a whole grain type feed.

 

[MNChickens27]

Prolapse is personal genetics and NOT something you are doing.... as long as you aren't providing artificial light to keep production up.

Your best bet is to cull the hens who keep getting prolapse. But have you tried a vent sling to keep the prolapse in longer term? Thing is, once it happened... even just passing poo can cause it.

You MIGHT be able to get an implant that stops them from laying for a while... to let the prolapse try to stay tucked in longer for healing. But that would be pricey. My guess is that you hens who are prolapsing... would pass from egg binding if they didn't prolapse.

Sorry you face this... Prolapse is something I do cull for, as I find it VERY likely to repeat itself... inviting pecking and other possible issues.

I hate to remind you of her but do you know why she couldn't walk anymore?
Did you get a necropsy done on her?

We did not, the vet felt a very large growth when he examined her through her vent. The other hens started to really pick on her so we decided to have her put to sleep and I buried her. She was an ISA Brown so a production bird, I wish I would have had a necropsy done though.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have read that culling is the best bet for hens who frequently prolapse, but I find that extremely difficult to do. I cried like a baby after putting one of our hens down last fall because she couldn't walk anymore.

I am sorry for your loss. It's OK to cry.

We cull for many reasons, it's always hard. We eat our extra cockerels. But I still shed some tears for my head rooster who passed away unexpectedly. I'm glad that eating my birds hasn't desensitized me to the value of life.

I don't blame you. Just do your best! But I don't think it's something you are doing... I wish it were cuz then I could make some better suggestions.

 

[Kiki]

I'm wondering if you don't have something like Marek's disease going on, which is causing these problems for you.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I'm wondering if you don't have something like Marek's disease going on, which is causing these problems for you.

Marek's causing reoccurring prolapsed vent?

 

[Kiki]

Marek's causing reoccurring prolapsed vent?

Maybe tumors inside causing it.

 

[MNChickens27]

I am wanting to know if it is a complete pelleted or crumble type feed or if it is a whole grain type feed.

Here are a few pics of the feed

 

[Kiki]

Here are a few pics of the feed

Thank you.
It looks like an in-between to me.
I am concerned they are being picky and picking out the seeds/grains they want to eat and MAY not be getting a complete diet with this feed.

 

[MNChickens27]

Thank you.
It looks like an in-between to me.
I am concerned they are being picky and picking out the seeds/grains they want to eat and MAY not be getting a complete diet with this feed.

I struggled with going away from the country store feed because they have a specific breakdown of the feed in terms of protein, grains, etc but they seem to like this locally produced one. It is produced by a feed company but I don't know the dietary breakdown of it.

 

[Kiki]

Please read through this:
http://articles.extension.org/pages...lapse-in-layers-and-treatments-and-prevention