OMG, please help :(

[equinelyn]

Maybe this can help?
http://www.suite101.com/content/pet-birds-and-toxic-foods-a12181

 

[ChickyChickyBaby]

OK it was probably not the watermelon. I had some leftover rinds from Memorial day weekend....(some from Sunday & some from Monday), left them out on the counter til Tuesday morning. No issues here. And the birds pecked on those for 2-3 days.

As far as I know green peas are not bad for the birds either. I clean out 'fridge once a week, and leftovers get fed to chickens. Including green peas. Sometimes I miss them & they get fed the next week. No ill effects yet here.

I think the sweet pea that is toxic to chickens is the sweet pea plant. A different plant than the green pea plant.


Are they penned or free ranging?

 

[Anianna]

Quote:
If the watermelon wasn't moldy, it should not have been a problem. Watermelon is not harmful to chickens.

Sweet peas are a neurotoxin for chickens and is probably what killed them. Don't feed them any more peas.

Also, if you had a rooster behaving oddly before you fed the peas, check your flock for symptoms of illness. How was he behaving that you thought was odd? Are any of your other chickens acting strangely? Do you see any nasal or eye discharge in any of the chickens? Have you noticed any unusual poops?

 

[hd_darcy]

Thank you so much everyone for trying to help. It's so very appreciated. They are both penned and free ranged. I had them in the pen this morning because I have mama hens and babies in the coop, so I've been keeping the roos out of the coop during the day. But, I really have to think it's the peas or the watermelon BECAUSE, they were all roosters that died except for one hen that I let come out because she hasn't been broody or sitting on chicks, as of recent. So she hasn't been free ranging much at all, maybe out for like 15 minutes yesterday?? She was in the run when I fed the roosters, and she's now dead. I have three hens left in the coop that are fine. They haven't been out at all.....

 

[AyeUpChuck]

How old were they? It's my understanding that if they're too juvenile you can overload their digestive systems with too many fresh treats.

 

[Anianna]

Quote:
Now that I look at the scientific name, I think you are correct. The peas should not have caused any harm.

hd_darcy, you really need to check for signs of illness in your flock and check your yard for other plants that may be toxic to them such as hemlock and dogbane.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I was completely unaware that sweet peas were toxic to chickens, that being said, I feed my chickens sweet peas all the time. They love them. In fact, I buy an extra bag of frozen no salt added peas for the chickens everytime I buy one for my family. I've lost a few birds to predators, but never to peas

I've fed my flock some less than desireable things (we skinned and boiled 3 racoons for them- they went gaga) and truely thought the peas would be a healthy treat for them, and since I've not seen any ill effects I will continue to feed them. I would watch for signs of illness in your flock. Could it be possible they're being stressed by something and have been overcome by cocci? I wouldn't think the fruits and veggies you fed them would kill them, especially not that quick. Good luck- and I hope you figure out what happened

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Just another thought- you mentioned the peas were kind of slimey. Maybe they've gotten sick from some bacteria (botulism?)that had begun to grow on the peas since they had been sitting out on your counter?

 

[fargosmom]

Quote:
This sounds more likely to me. Usually anything that makes me not want to eat a food, is also something I won't feed my animals . . . .

As for "sweet" peas, this common name is for the ornamental flower version that people grow, not the eating kind. However one of the links posted earlier goes to a wiki page that describes "eating" peas as potentially toxic in LARGE amounts over a long period. Probably not the problem here but good to know, if it can be verified.

 

[ChickyChickyBaby]

free ranging - no telling what they got into.
An old timer once told me pokeberries from pokeberry bushes will kill chickens.

Now you have me wondering if it was something to do with the peas........like how did you cook them? I put butter in mine, and always use the frozen peas........but I don't leave them out on the counter before feeding them. I would think it could be possible that something in the peas soured.

I have seen my chickens digging in the scrap 'pile' and digging around where we feed our dogs meat and table scraps.

so far none lost because of it.

ETA: this morning treats were - cooked corn kernels, oats, boiled mashed eggs, pickled beets, leftover canned fruit, and bell pepper.