Rapid death.

[pennyJo1960]

Not from a breeder or a hatchery. Wife picked up the orfies from someone hatching the eggs theirs had produced, so not likely any were vaccinated. In fact I am sure none of the birds we have are.

nothing wrong with being new everything right asking for help.. she is right those things can take a bird down fast the only way to know is a necropsy those are done in a laboratory have you saved the bodies and how long ago was the loss please

 

[pennyJo1960]

https://screenshots.firefox.com/BibSRWMCWnLHv5wy/www.google.com

click the link it is two necropsy labs you may have such a thing done t6hat way you know why they where lost

 

[Rickba]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I lost a chicken today. This morning at 7 am she was fine when I let the chickens out of the coops. A 10 am she was fine when I brought the chickens their treat of scratch grains. At 3 I went to change their water and she was dead. No wounds, nice and fat and no discharge. She was just as 22 weeks today. Just about laying age. My chickens are in a closed run. I think it was just the heat. It's been unseasonably warm/hot here this week. At 5:30 pm the rest of my chickens are fine when I topped off their food and water for the night. Here's a pic of my run and deceased chicken. Sometimes it just happens.

 

[Sara Ranch]

*hugs*

 

[Rickba]

*hugs*

Thanks.

 

[21hens-incharge]

If the crop is empty and you can feel the breast bone easily slow starvation is a likely cause.

Cracked corn is very low protein as are fruits and veggies.

I recommend getting chick starter right away. It is higher in protein and they likely need that boost. An all flock feed would also be a good choice. Both will be higher in protein without added calcium that your males won't need.
Stop all fruits and veggies please so they eat the proper ration.
You do have a special needs chicken. I too have a cross beaked bird. I make wet mash for all my birds every day. I take the regular pellets and add water then let sit for about ten minutes. It should be like thick oatmeal in consistency. Your cross beaked bird will have an easier time eating it and the other birds will likely enjoy it. I add a few cap fulls of Apple Cider Vinegar every morning to the mash. If you add some be sure to get the natural "with mother" vinegar. It is a good immune system booster.

I am seeing a large trend around here of people feeding cracked corn as the main feed. I also see a lot of nutritionally deprived birds.
Not your fault. You are feeding what you were told to.

Laying hens require a protein level of at least 16% if fed very few treats. If feeding more treats a higher protein is needed.

Expect them to protest. They have been given tasty treats, kind of like a kid getting candy before dinner.

 

[Als]

I would have to ask about the protein. There are no labels it is bagged in bulk. The mix I need to ask. The one thing I do know they eat very little of the fines which I believe is the supplement. They like the corn.
Do I treat for worms etc without knowing they are infected?? Since it has only been the ophies I do feel there is something they came with since they came from a different place.

 

[Als]

Back to starter feed. Going to try that. Quite spendy though.
When I say they get fruits and vegetables it not like that's a huge part of what they get. They do range all day. Very few bugs out there anymore only because they are eating them.
Did try game bird feed that has higher pro time but they leave most of it just lay.

 

[Als]

We do have quite a few chicken and egg producers here. Going to make some visits to find out what they feed and where to get it. I'm quite sure it's coming from one of the mills around here.

 

[21hens-incharge]

A vet can run a fecal float test for worms. They won't need you to brings bird in. Just just a bit of fresh poo on a cotton swab. They are simply looking for worms, and worm eggs.
It should not cost much.

I have not had to ever have one run but am going off very good info from a fellow BYC member.

Different meds for different kinds of worms so know what if anything you are dealing with before you treat them.