Keeping them healthy

[appps]

Dont think anyone has said its magical. The OP has unexplained deaths and asked for possible causes. The only thing glaringly different to what 90% of other people do that dont have deaths is having 16 month old hens on chick starter.
I don't think suggesting that could be a possible cause is overreacting its just pointing out one thing they are doing different that could be involved.

 

[lablover]

I also asked about worming, and was told not to unless I actually saw them. So, they have not been wormed. These are only my first chickens, so I can only go off of what others say and what I've learned myself.

To be clear, I only had one death.

 

[199787]

I feed all my chickens Nutrina un-medicated starter crumbles and here is why. I used layer feed on my mature hens after I got them this spring and egg size and chicks health hatched from the eggs both reduced. I went from 100% hatches and healthy chicks to much lower percentages and leg problems. I switched them to the chick starter and saw improvement within a couple of weeks. I also give them lots of veggies and the occasional T-bone to peck clean. They seem to be doing well. My batch of March 11th pullets are all different breeds and they have about all begun laying and laying well. My two ducks share the feed and she is also laying like crazy and they are very healthy. I know some don't agree, but it seems to be a good all around feed for laying, growing, and breeding. I also dont have to worry about the younger chicks and the roosters eating all the layer feed. I can't find a good all-flock brand around, or I'd would probably use that. I also, put out free choice oyster shells for the girls.

Lisa

 

[JonB]

I'm newer at this as well, started in mid-March. However, we give our two older birds a mix of starter crumble and layer feed. They lay on cue every single day, and the eggs are very nice. Solid shells, deep golden yolks and good proportion. They also get various seeds, cracked corn and greens. They seem to be happy, peppy birds so far.

When you say they eat birdseed out front, are you implying they pick what wild birds have access too? That right there could be the cause; something to think about.