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

[LulaBell]

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

We got him last June as a roo from our neighbor. He is a handsome fella!

 

[TSA]

We got him last June as a roo from our neighbor. He is a handsome fella!

View attachment 1793898

View attachment 1793897

He is very cute!
Are you still maybe wanting to re-home him?

 

[LulaBell]

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.

I am currently only treating the 2 I have found to have respiratory issues and that started this morning. The weight loss have been slowly coming on, I noticed it earlier in the spring when I was outside with them more after the winter weather broke. We do feed meatbird crumble in the winter as there is not much for forage and switched back to 16% layer this spring. I have not weighed them all, the 2 girls I becan treating this morning are 4 lbs and 6 lbs. Bowl movements appear to be normal.

 

[LulaBell]

He is very cute!
Are you still maybe wanting to re-home him?

Yes I believe so. We love him to pieces but between him and our other rooster pictured it is just too much for the girls

 

[TSA]

I love banty roos! They are so adorable! Im interested. How much do you want for him?

 

[LulaBell]

what do you feed them?

during the winter we fed meatbird crumble. This spring we switched back to a 16% layer crumble

 

[LulaBell]

I love banty roos! They are so adorable! Im interested. How much do you want for him?

Where are you located?

 

[TSA]

Graytown, Ohio

 

[LulaBell]

Graytown, Ohio

I have to check with the person who gave him to me. I don't imagine he wants a rooster, but I feel like I should give him first choice. I will get back to you about it

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I am currently only treating the 2 I have found to have respiratory issues and that started this morning. The weight loss have been slowly coming on, I noticed it earlier in the spring when I was outside with them more after the winter weather broke. We do feed meatbird crumble in the winter as there is not much for forage and switched back to 16% layer this spring. I have not weighed them all, the 2 girls I becan treating this morning are 4 lbs and 6 lbs. Bowl movements appear to be normal.

I would think you just identified the problem: change in diet. They were used to a higher protein diet during the winter and now are on a lower protein diet. I think your birds might be just fine. If they are up and active I would not be concerned. Your birds will eat what they need to regulate. You can try switching back to the high protein food if you like. I usually just do the 16 percent. We gave it to our girls all winter...never switched feed and never had a problem. We're in northern indiana. So unless you're raising them just for meat and trying to fatten them up Id put them back on the high protein. If they are primarily layers for you stay on the 16 percent and do not switch. You can give them the feather fixer feed during the molt when they need the extra protein. All in all: if they are laying, are active, and not behaving strangely...you're fine.