Really skinny flock

[Maria's Chickens]

I have a large mixed flock of chickens (various breeds, ages, sizes), turkey (also above variables), ducks (same age 6 months, various breeds) and geese (6 months, all Chinese). The chickens all seem extremely skinny, bony skinny. The turkey are also slim but not bony. The geese and ducks don’t seem to have lost any weight. While they are not as heavy as I think they should be, I cannot feel their breast bone readily. They are all free range, but the chickens and turkey are fed separately from the ducks and geese. I have a large number of birds, I’m not exactly how many. I’d say maybe around 50. I feed twice a day in six troughs fermented feed which consists of nutrena layer pellet, whole corn, fish food, millet, black oilers, brown rice (only a cup/5gal bucket), cayenne, chili powder, oregano, fennel seed, DE, alfalfa, and beet pulp. I feed enough to make sure everyone’s crops are full twice a day. They also get table scraps and I’m sure consume bugs and plants throughout the day. No one is lethargic, no droopy wings, no sneezing, or other signs of illness. They act perfectly fine, egg production (in the hens who aren’t moulting) is normal, combs aren’t pale, no excessive drinking, poops are normal. I’m guessing maybe worms but I’ve never had skinny chickens before so I’ve never wormed. What should I use (if this could indeed be worms)? I’m guessing I’ll have to treat for more than one kind. What’s the best economic way to treat a large flock? Thanks in advance for any advice or recommendations!

I am new and am raising biddies for he first time and they are about one month old and a little plump. I give them organic starter food as well as bread and dandelion grass, which they love dearly.

 

[Chick Chick McGee]

I am not sure but I thought I would suggest it. Tapeworm?

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Please don’t take offense, but it looks quite crowded. Are they fighting for food? With more space and feeders, chickens will have a better chance of eating.......

 

[Seriph]

Are you sure that it is not just that they are moulting? Chickens always tend to look thin and scraggly when they are moulting.

With such a large flock, worming them individually would be a big task and there will be an egg withdrawal period as a result of using a chemical dewormer, so I would want to be sure it was necessary before spending time and money and wasting eggs. A vet or state diagnostics lab can do a faecal float test to look for roundworms or coccidia. You should be able to mail a small sample of poop from your flock.... either a group sample (several mixed) or an individual sample from the poorest looking bird.... to your state lab to do the test and it should be under $20. You should also be on the look out for tape worm segments in their poop, which look like tiny moving grains of rice.... tapeworm eggs are not often picked up by a faecal float test so examining poop is a good habit to develop. Ivermectin will not treat tapeworms and neither will Wazine, so it is quite important to know which worms you are trying to target if indeed worms are a problem at all, before buying and administering a product.

I’ve seen then drop some weight in years past, but they feel almost imaciated. I’m just really concerned about their health. Thank you for the tip on sending in a fecal sample. I’ll definitely look into that!

 

[rebrascora]

@Maria's Chickens

I'm not sure if your comment was suggesting that the OP follows the diet your flock are on or if you are expressing concern that your young flock is plump as that can be more of a health problem than being thin. I would be very careful about feeding them bread other than as a very rare and limited treat and be wary of your organic starter if it is a grain mix type food (as oppose to a pellet or crumble) Fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome is a real killer and can cause sudden death in relatively young birds and it is on the increase as a result of flocks getting fed too many treats or ad lib grain mix feeds where they can pick and choose which components of the feed they prefer.... usually the high carb grains. I had no idea that a dietary imbalance could cause so many problems in hens until I started doing necropsies and researching more.

 

[snow5164]

Invectrin however you spell that.

That’s great to suggest deworming medication but the original poster said “ poop is normal”Husband thinks she’s crazy checking poop”
Don’t use drugs just because it’s easier , that’s great you don’t think acv has any benefits you are entitled to your opinion,it was being used and could still be used .

My point was get rid of all the other foods filling them up and try to feed them their nutritionally balanced feed

That’s a great picture ! You have your own wild life exhibit there

 

[snow5164]

I am new and am raising biddies for he first time and they are about one month old and a little plump. I give them organic starter food as well as bread and dandelion grass, which they love dearly.

That’s great but starter is for chicks this is a mixed flock of .. well everything ! And healthy baby chicks are always plump just like babies

 

[Amer]

That’s great to suggest deworming medication but the original poster said “ poop is normal”Husband thinks she’s crazy checking poop”
Don’t use drugs just because it’s easier , that’s great you don’t think acv has any benefits you are entitled to your opinion,it was being used and could still be used .

My point was get rid of all the other foods filling them up and try to feed them their nutritionally balanced feed

That’s a great picture ! You have your own wild life exhibit there

I suppose I disagree with Apple Cider Vinegar because its not worth my time filling all my waterers with something that doesn't work.
Worms can still be there...
It's not easier, it gets rid of worms. I just thought it would be worth getting rid of worms. Mites also cause weight loss. I believe Ivermectin helps with that if you notice them.
Balancing a diet is good. I think other grains in it are not necessary
I would try an all feed diet with oyster shells for a while to see if things change.
My birds have over 20 percent protein in their food at all times to give them good muscling. I don't know if that helps.

 

[Amer]

Are you sure that it is not just that they are moulting? Chickens always tend to look thin and scraggly when they are moulting.

With such a large flock, worming them individually would be a big task and there will be an egg withdrawal period as a result of using a chemical dewormer, so I would want to be sure it was necessary before spending time and money and wasting eggs. A vet or state diagnostics lab can do a faecal float test to look for roundworms or coccidia. You should be able to mail a small sample of poop from your flock.... either a group sample (several mixed) or an individual sample from the poorest looking bird.... to your state lab to do the test and it should be under $20. You should also be on the look out for tape worm segments in their poop, which look like tiny moving grains of rice.... tapeworm eggs are not often picked up by a faecal float test so examining poop is a good habit to develop. Ivermectin will not treat tapeworms and neither will Wazine, so it is quite important to know which worms you are trying to target if indeed worms are a problem at all, before buying and administering a product.

I believe there are some that can be used in water with no withdrawal.

 

[rachelsflock]

I believe the spelling is ivermectin. I like the pour on and just do about half a mL per bird, a whole mL for my 15+ lbs drakes.