Random Chicken Deaths and Rooster acting Weird... HELP!!

[Isaac T Brown]

I have a Barred Rock rooster named Freckles. Recently, he has not been himself. Before, he would run around like a normal rooster and attack me, (We handled that already) play with Isaac B. Yesterday, he just stood in a corner for most of the day. He won't eat his pellets, but he will drink. Sometimes, he'll make a wheezing noise and I think he may be sick.

Please help!! I have had two deaths yesterday and fear of more to come. I just walked into the coop to find a dead chicken on the floor. She was a good layer and only a year old. Same with the next; I found her laying under the roost dead... Is this normal? The chickens seem to not be eating their layer pellets, but will eat starter feed. The hens are already laying and seemed healthy. No sign of any mites, lice, or other bug. I have heard sometimes you should put feed in hot water and mash. Will this make my chickens eat?

 

[BayBay Peepers]

You could try a mash to see if they'll eat. Just be sure to change it often so it doesn't spoil. Other things I've tried to feed when my flock isn't quite right are scrambled eggs and/or yogurt.

Have they been treated for worms? I hope some others with more experience will chime in. (they've helped me a lot of the past several months)

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Also, is it really hot by you? Could they be overheated and not have a way to cool down? If they eat your starter feed, but not your layer feed maybe you should check to see that there isn't mold or something in there.

 

[Isaac T Brown]

You could try a mash to see if they'll eat. Just be sure to change it often so it doesn't spoil. Other things I've tried to feed when my flock isn't quite right are scrambled eggs and/or yogurt.

Have they been treated for worms? I hope some others with more experience will chime in. (they've helped me a lot of the past several months)

Thanks. I'll try doing that. They haven't been treated for worms, but I'm not sure that would be in my budget, is there a way to do it at home?

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Through other threads I took recommendations from others on good wormers for chickens. I decided to get safeguard liquid wormer for goats. If you find a thread that casportpony or dawg53 are on they have lots and lots of knowledge on how much of what wormers to give chickens. I found what I needed at our local Farm and Fleet so I'm sure any store that has livestock items would have it. I hope your flock starts to feel better soon. I'm sorry for the loses you've already had.

 

[Isaac T Brown]

Also, is it really hot by you? Could they be overheated and not have a way to cool down? If they eat your starter feed, but not your layer feed maybe you should check to see that there isn't mold or something in there.

I don't think so, I just cleaned up the coop today and no signs of mold. We have four, three, and two day old chicks and I'm trying to keep the food separated from the other chickens, but let the mom and babies get outside.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Oh, I understand. My flock has been going crazy over the starter feed. I figure while I have the chicks I'll let it be and then when they're all grown I'll worry about switching back to the layer feed. I just leave a dish of oyster shell out, the chicks don't seem to notice that at all.

 

[Isaac T Brown]

Oh, I understand. My flock has been going crazy over the starter feed. I figure while I have the chicks I'll let it be and then when they're all grown I'll worry about switching back to the layer feed. I just leave a dish of oyster shell out, the chicks don't seem to notice that at all.

Oyster shell?

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Yea, it has extra calcium for my layers. I leave it out free choice and they figure out how much they need. They take calcium from their bodies supply to make eggs and they need some way to build that back up. I just buy a big bag of it and it last several weeks.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

These are the kinds they offer in my area. One is a small bag and the bottom is a 50 pounder.