Newbie and so many issues!!!

[PermieNerdVA]

hi all. This is my first post. I'm a new chicken keeper as of last August. My friend gave me her 6 hens and three new chicks that had been laid and raised by one of the hens. Everything seemed fine until early this year. Here is what has been happening:
1) one of the chicks ended up being a rooster. It's a brahma, and he is a big boy. He started humping everything that moved early this year, but it didn't seem to be much of an issue until recently.
2) I lost one hen last month, to unknown causes. People told me "sometimes chickens just die" so I didn't get a necropsy, but I suspected egg yolk peritonitis, because I had seen egg yolks in the nest box without a shell. At the time, I thought they had just been breaking, but didn't think about the lack of shell. Her eggs were enormous and she was small, so I assumed she developed an issue because of that. She was a leghorn.
3) all of a sudden, another hen (red sex link) is sick. Lethargic, tail low, puffy. She won't last long I think. She had a dirty butt so we soaked and washed her the other night but she hasn't improved. Vent looked fine but honestly I did not feel her belly because I wouldn't know what "normal" feels like anyway.
4) it seems as soon as the red started feeling ill, all hell broke loose in the pecking order. Found the bottom of the pecking order (Ancona possibly?) with a bloody neck and had to treat and separate her yesterday. Then today, watched as the second from the bottom chicken got attacked visciously multiple times not only by the rooster but the second tier hen, the other red sex link. She was bleeding so we also removed her to the recovery area with the Ancona and the red sex link that's ill.
5) finally, I don't know if it's related to all this, but most of the older hens have stopped laying altogether. The two brahma hens and the americauna that keeps getting attacked are the only ones laying.

Summary of their living conditions: Coop is large, probably 8x10, with 6 nest boxes and lots of roosting space. They range during the day in an area that's probably 25x75. They get free choice unlimited organic non gmo soy free feed (which is in a homemade multi-port feeder in the coop) and sometimes I feed them boiled eggs with their shells, black SF larvae, and other treats as I have them (leftover veggies, fresh pulled greens and weeds), and their water is refilled every day and I always add some ACV to it.

I feel like the worst chicken Mom ever. Anyone have advice for me on what to do to get us all back on track? All these chickens know each other and grew up together. Help please!!! Thanks in advance!

 

[chickens really]

Hello, every time you lose a Bird pecking order changes. Plus it's spring and hormones are higher. Feeding too many snacks can cause issues. I just went through what you are. I had to Cull a Pullet because everyone was attacking her.
She was Hatched and raised here in my Flock..Chickens are not for the soft hearted. They can be vicious and cruel in their attacks.
Best wishes...

 

[orrpeople]

First off, I am so sorry you are going through all this stress with your birds! Spring can definitely play havoc with hormones (recently read that a rooster's testicles double in size concurrent with lengthening daylight hours).

How old were the hens when you got them? It does sound like you are having some reproductive issues with your production layers.

Do you have the ability to separate birds for a while? Sometimes, if you can let them see each other, but not touch, it gives them a cooling off period. If your rooster is aggressive toward the hens, it may be time to rethink having him.
Posting pics of your set up and birds may also help us brainstorm a solution for you.

 

[Keeperoflock]

What type watered do you have? If it's metal i saw that you use ACV which is fine but I read it you use a metal one over time the ACV causes toxic metal to leach into their water and causes toxic metal overload.

 

[aart]

but honestly I did not feel her belly because I wouldn't know what "normal" feels like anyway.

Compare it to your other birds. Once you feel a water belly(ascites) you'll never forget it.

I'd cut out everything but the feed, SFL, and eggs. Lose the ACV, just plain water.

organic non gmo soy free feed

What is the protein percentage and MFG date on your feed bag.
Nutrition percentages are on tag sewn into bottom of bag.
Mfg date should be either on same tag or printed on bag closure band.

Did your birds molt last fall/winter?

 

[PermieNerdVA]

Thank you everyone!!

I got the birds when they were supposedly "about a year old." When they first arrived, there were 6 adult hens and 3 chicks, which are now about 8 months old maybe-? The three chickens that were beat up have been removed to an adjacent but separate area, and now every time I visit the area with the rooster, he makes this sad noise like "I miss my girls, why did you take them away??" It's ridiculous. My husband said to him "well that's what happens when you get too rapey!" :-/

I did get in to the habit of feeding them SFL once a day over the wintertime, but now I've cut back. I only feed them their own eggs about twice a month. I will stop everything but the feed.

I use a plastic waterer specifically because of the leaching metal concerns. ACV is supposed to be good for their bellies, and they were fine on it until recently. Is it possible to give them too much ACV? Can that cause egg issues?

The feed I give them is from New County Organics, which is a Virginia based company (so local to me, and I buy direct from them). It says it's 17% protein. I will look at the mfg date but I'm pretty sure it's fresh. It's such good stuff that I caught my dog eating it before I insisted that she stop. it smells amazing actually, but the point about its freshness it important, so I will check. I could also ask the company itself if they ever had any issues.

I will take some more photos to share! And thanks for the encouragement to feel the red's belly. If I do find it feels wrong, what next??? Anything to be done? Her bottom is dirty again, and she's just looking pathetic. I'm frankly surprised she is still alive. She sits next to the waterer most of the day with her eyes closed and being all puffy.

You're all a lifesaver. Thank you so much for your time!!!

 

[aart]

It's such good stuff that I caught my dog eating it before I insisted that she stop.

Um...dogs will eat about anything

ACV is supposed to be good for their bellies, and they were fine on it until recently. Is it possible to give them too much ACV? Can that cause egg issues?

I assume you are using ACV 'with the mother' where the probiotic content can be good?
It can be good, or at least OK, but can also interfere with calcium uptake.
No real reason for it full time IMO.

If I do find it feels wrong, what next???

I've found that ascites(water belly) is almost always fatal. It indicates gross organ malfunction, could be from EYP, or liver/heart failure, tumors from several diseases. Necropsy would be good, even if you do it yourself and take pics for help IDing here, tho a path lab can tell you exactly what is wrong. Fecal float test would be good to assess internal parasite load, especilly if the lab gives species, counts, and treatment levels.

 

[PermieNerdVA]

Hi all. Brought the hen to be euthanized a couple days ago and then to the state lab yesterday. Preliminary results are that the autopsy showed adenocarcinoma and multiple tumors, starting in the ovary and spreading to the colon and liver. I've read it's relatively common in hens over 3 but nobody I know has ever had this issue (that they know of, of course). I'll wait and see if they find any mycoplasma or avian flu. I don't know if they are testing for parasites or anything else, but at least I have a cause. Now I've also read that certain viruses cause cancer sometimes, so how to know I have one of those, I don't know yet. More research is needed. I've rules out Mareck's because there didn't seem to be any neurological issues or paralysis. For future reference for everyone, I found an amazing avian vet online at justanswers.com who had some great advice and experience, so if anyone is ever stumped and can't find a local avian vet, I would highly recommend Dr. Michael Salkin. There are multiple vets that participate, but the service does cost money. I paid $34 which I found to be worth it.

I can't thank everyone enough for the attention, experience, and advice. Any new thoughts are most appreciated!

 

[aart]

Now I've also read that certain viruses cause cancer sometimes, so how to know I have one of those, I don't know yet. More research is needed. I've rules out Mareck's because there didn't seem to be any neurological issues or paralysis.

Yes, can cause tumors at least, including Mareks and Leukosis. Mareks doesn't always present with paralysis.
I would assume they will test for both.
Sorry for your loss, but huge kudos for getting the necropsy done.

 

[PermieNerdVA]

Hi all. Update. The hen also had mycoplasmosis. However, I found that the lab did NOT test for all of the other things discussed above, but I didn't know enough to ask at the time whether they tested for these things. So if I have any more deaths I will specifically have them check for that. Any suggestions for how to deal with mycoplasmosis? I've heard the range of suggestions from "just make sure the flocks immune system is supported" to "destroy and start over." Since I'm not a commercial breeder, but might want to be in the future, do I need to destroy my flock and start over? Does this mean I can't introduce any new birds to my flock without exposing them as well? Any suggestions for how to proceed?
You all have been so helpful and I am thankful for your time!!