1. We purchased 6 chickens then 6mo we get 6 more then a few months later we got 12. 2.Right now we only have 1 brown as we lost all be those. The 24 had gotten down to 19. I did butcher one ro so had 18 laying chickens. In fact just before our loss we got 13 eggs. In the next few days all had died but one brown and one rooster. I took the birds to the state poultry dept and they tested 2 of them and discovered that they had a high level of "zink". Found some nails and screws in craw. 3. We had browns and blacks. 4. We found out about Back Yard Chickens from the internet. 5. I am 83 and this is my first experience since childhood when we had chickens during the war. My grandfather had a chicken farm producing eggs for a living. I retired 3 years ago on about 40 acres. Also have horses and a garden. I plan to get some cattle. 6. We have been married 40 63 years and have 4 children 9 grandchildren and 8 great grand children. When I found my chickens dear I almost cried. Had become very attached.
Hi there, and welcome to BYC! Oh, you are still a youngster at heart if you keep chickens, no matter your age. I am sorry about the losses. But I am glad you could join and hope that you enjoy BYC!
Welcome to BYC. Do you know how your birds picked up the nails and screws? This will be useful to protect any new birds that you get. Good luck, and restart your flock in the spring.
I think we have solved the problem. We had a concrete pad poured a few feet from the chicken yard during wet and cold weather. The chickens died within days. Discovered that zink oxide in in cement. I believe the runoff caused the problem.
