Overall flock is not "well"... Changes need to be made, advice please

[LulaBell]

My flock has had a rough time the last couple months. I lost 2 birds to illness....sent 1 in for a necropsy and it came back that she was septic. I lost 9 girls to a predator (fox) and have had to build a small run to keep them safe and allow them to get fresh air and have access more room. They do not like it as they are used to being free range. They are stressed from being cooped up and it shows. I do let them out to free range when I can be outside with them. Usually a couple evenings during the week and at least 1 whole day on the weekends. But that means we have to be outside every minute and keep watch as this fox is BOLD. She has taken to coming in the yard and attacking even if we are out. We also have a hawk that has been keeping a close eye. I am down to 19, 17 hens a 2 roosters. My roosters have been over breeding the hens, I have a lot of feather loss and now 2 with deep cuts on their back. I have separated those 2, gave them a soak and antibacterial cream on their wounds. While cleaning them up I noticed their breathing is a bit rattly. I started them this morning on Tylan hoping to clear up whatever is going on with their respiratory system.

I think the combination of them being cooped up and stressed has made them all susceptible to infection/illness. I put ACV in their water but that is not enough. I am contemplating treating the entire flock with Tylan to nix any respiratory issues that may be present(I will check them more closely when I get home tonight). I have noticed that some of the girls feel lighter or more boney. Are they losing weight from stress? Could worms be an issue?

I NEED to re-home or build another enclosure for the 2 roosters (one is a banty). I think they are doing the most damage and rehoming would be best for all however when we free range they are the protectors, do I really want to give that up?

I need lots of advice....
1. Treat the entire flock with Tylan....is that best or even do-able? Can Tylan be put in their water or do I have to dose individually? I don't want to treat unnecessarily or blindly as I am aware of the repercussions of overusing antibiotics. Do I have other options?
2. I feel I should deworm the flock. I have not noticed any worms in their droppings but I know not all present that way. If I decide to treat with Tylan can I de-worm at the same time? One before the other or some amount of time between the two? Which first, Tylan or dewormer?
2. What to do with the roosters? Keep them in a separate enclosure unless I'm free ranging? Re-home them?
3. What else can I do to get my flocks health up? I feel free ranging is best but it is certain death with the # of predators we have right now. We have tried trapping, we can usually get a raccoon or possum but this fox is smart and have not had any success.

**I'm sorry if this post seems all over the place. I work for a large utility company and we have had storms blow through our area and I have been working doubles. Tired is an understatement at this point. I am concerned that my flocks overall health is going downhill and I want to get ahead of it. I really just want my girls to be healthy and happy and I feel like I am failing.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Theres a lot of "i think" and "i feel" going on here. Why do you "feel" you need to deworm? You might be over treating and causing these problems. If they are having respiratory issues think about the conditions of the coop. What could be causing it? Is it the bedding? Are they not getting enough ventilation? Is it too hot? I am sorry for the loss of some of your hens but what Im getting from your post is that you might be micromanaging your birds because you're so worried about losing another one. We will need to know more about their behavior that makes you concerned they are ill. We also need to know about their living space and conditions. Also I would not reccomend using a dewormer with an antibiotic because antibiotics can cause diarrhea

 

[TSA]

How old is the banty rooster and do you have any pictures of him?

 

[Hencraze24]

what do you feed them?

 

[AlasseEstel]

If you can't trap the fox than maybe you should shoot it. You could try a bb gun or a paint ball gun first. If the fox doesn't give up than you'll just have to shoot it altogether.

 

[Hencraze24]

If you can't trap the fox than maybe you should shoot it. You could try a bb gun or a paint ball gun first. If the fox doesn't give up than you'll just have to shoot it altogether.

however ,make sure that's legal in your area.

 

[AlasseEstel]

It's very uncommon to get foxes here, but we do get raccoons occasionally. Normally we trap them in a live trap and then relocate to a different place.

 

[LulaBell]

Theres a lot of "i think" and "i feel" going on here. Why do you "feel" you need to deworm? You might be over treating and causing these problems. If they are having respiratory issues think about the conditions of the coop. What could be causing it? Is it the bedding? Are they not getting enough ventilation? Is it too hot? I am sorry for the loss of some of your hens but what Im getting from your post is that you might be micromanaging your birds because you're so worried about losing another one. We will need to know more about their behavior that makes you concerned they are ill. We also need to know about their living space and conditions. Also I would not reccomend using a dewormer with an antibiotic because antibiotics can cause diarrhea

I do not normally treat my flock just to treat. I provide a 16% layer feed and fresh water daily, that's it. I do not have a regimen of deworming or providing vitamins, etc. Our normal (and preferred) practice is to free range and let the flock be as healthy as naturally as possible. Since they have been spending more time in the coop and not free ranging on a daily basis I have been adding apple cider vinegar to their water to try to give them a boost.
I was thinking deworm in response to noticing some weight loss. My train of thought says that "could" be a logical explanation. But that's why I am here, to ask for some wisdom from the wise before taking action on could be or maybe feelings.
They have a window on one side of the coop and the door to the run across from it. During the day I use a box fan on low in the window of the coop to ensure good ventilation and air movement. I use Pine shavings from tractor supply as bedding. Over the winter I used straw but it created a lot of dust and is very bulky and hot, so this spring I switched to pine shavings. I completely change the bedding in the coop on the weekend while they are out free ranging.
As far as their behavior, they are not as active as normal and I have noticed weight loss.
The idea of treating the flock with Tylan came from losing 2 other birds to an unknown infection and currently having 2 with respiratory issues. ( I will check the rest of the flock this evening when I get home)

I disagree that I micromanage or over treat. I have noticed a change in my flock but I can't put my finger on it, that was the reason for this post. I am relatively new to owning chickens, I got my first ones last March. Over the last year I have learned quite a bit, but I am for sure no expert. I rely heavily on this site and I am so very thankful there are people willing to share their time and knowledge. One of the most important things I have learned is that with chickens sometimes all you have to go off of is the tiniest change in their behavior. I love my flock and yes I do feel a lot when it comes to them. I want what's best and #1 in my opinion is making sure they are healthy.

 

[Kris5902]

It's very uncommon to get foxes here, but we do get raccoons occasionally. Normally we trap them in a live trap and then relocate to a different place.

Relocation is almost always illegal. If you can trap you need to be able to dispose of the pest or turn it over to an agency that is permitted to relocate. I prefer the shoot the fox option (of course, also only if you’re legally able to)

@LulaBell can you give us a little more info? How old are the boys, what are you feeding, including treats, and what is your coop/run situation for these birds. Pictures and dimensions would be helpful. How many feeding/watering stations do you have available. If you can take a poop sample to a vet or a lab they will be able to tell you about any parasites like worms. It’s usually quite inexpensive.

I wouldn’t think that 2 Roosters to 17 hens would necessarily put you in an overbreeding situation on its own. I’ve got 3 young Roosters (ok they’re still “technically” cockerels) one is in with 10 girls, another in with 7, and one is with only 3 in very close confinement (hospital pen), just one of which is laying. You might have rough boys.

I’m sorry you’re facing these challenges on top of a busy career. I hope things turn around for you soon

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I do not normally treat my flock just to treat. I provide a 16% layer feed and fresh water daily, that's it. I do not have a regimen of deworming or providing vitamins, etc. Our normal (and preferred) practice is to free range and let the flock be as healthy as naturally as possible. Since they have been spending more time in the coop and not free ranging on a daily basis I have been adding apple cider vinegar to their water to try to give them a boost.
I was thinking deworm in response to noticing some weight loss. My train of thought says that "could" be a logical explanation. But that's why I am here, to ask for some wisdom from the wise before taking action on could be or maybe feelings.
They have a window on one side of the coop and the door to the run across from it. During the day I use a box fan on low in the window of the coop to ensure good ventilation and air movement. I use Pine shavings from tractor supply as bedding. Over the winter I used straw but it created a lot of dust and is very bulky and hot, so this spring I switched to pine shavings. I completely change the bedding in the coop on the weekend while they are out free ranging.
As far as their behavior, they are not as active as normal and I have noticed weight loss.
The idea of treating the flock with Tylan came from losing 2 other birds to an unknown infection and currently having 2 with respiratory issues. ( I will check the rest of the flock this evening when I get home)

I disagree that I micromanage or over treat. I have noticed a change in my flock but I can't put my finger on it, that was the reason for this post. I am relatively new to owning chickens, I got my first ones last March. Over the last year I have learned quite a bit, but I am for sure no expert. I rely heavily on this site and I am so very thankful there are people willing to share their time and knowledge. One of the most important things I have learned is that with chickens sometimes all you have to go off of is the tiniest change in their behavior. I love my flock and yes I do feel a lot when it comes to them. I want what's best and #1 in my opinion is making sure they are healthy.

Ok this is good. I was not accusing you of micromanaging i was just trying to figure out why you were treating. A lot of times people can jump to conclusions. The weight loss could actually be feather loss as you described it has been hot. Have you weighed them? You could up the protein in the food if you're concerned about it. Any changes in bowel movements? Foamy diarrhea? Did you notice the weightloss before or after administering Tylan? Excessive diarrhea could account of the weightloss as well.