Seemingly healthy Maran dies in the night

[Kiki]

The problem with mixing treats in will feed is that certain birds may pick out only the treats and those birds with not get a balanced diet and become either malnurushed and or fat.
Fat chickens die...from one issue or another.

 

[FishMtFarm]

I understand that with treats, especially unhealthy ones but veggies? Just trying to figure out why veggies are bad but not free ranging on grass.

 

[Kiki]

I understand that with treats, especially unhealthy ones but veggies? Just trying to figure out why veggies are bad but not free ranging on grass.

I don't think veggies are bad.

 

[FishMtFarm]

Oh haha ok, I think I’m confusing myself.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Corn is a sugary carb and has no nutritional value.

Actually corn is a good source of "energy" and has 7% protein. Our formulated rations are made from mostly corn in many instances.

However... Those rations do have added vitamins, minerals, and important amino acids that the corn by itself does not contain.

No, not all vegetables are created equal to grass... for example lettuce is mostly water.. where as peas are 22% protein. Not even all grasses are equal. Also, the free range birds are accessing other things which include bugs (usually high in protein but higher in fat as well) and minerals in the dirt plus a variety of other plants like amaranth, dandelion, and such. I don't consider vegetables a treat because my birds are free range and access whatever is there including many different types of berries and such (as you suggest is the case)... BUT they tend to keep moving and get a variety.. not focusing TOO much on any one thing that is available always. When I "bring out" anything though... they act crazy and gobble stuff up... so for me I say variety is key and maybe providing them in a way that doesn't make them think "treat". And lastly, they (mine) are not locked in with it... helping with the keep moving onto variety.

Don't get me wrong, I do completely agree with you.. just responding to your question or my take on how it can be different. And NO... I don't feed corn... If I had that stuff... I might consider trying to sprout it. The oats (and sunflower) as well... should only be used as a treat. Formulated rations have all the added nutrients needed to sustain confined birds. Other things can be used as enrichment... like tossing a little in to get them to turn their bedding and enjoy searching. Or even hand feeding as a bonding tool.

Do you know if the farmer planned to eat her? I do eat birds that suddenly pass without any other symptom... accidents happen. If he did you might ask if he noticed anything unusual during processing... like fatty liver.

8 months... seems too young for fatty liver disease caused by ONLY one month of possibly excess treats. Not knowing what they were fed at their previous place though.. it could have been a number of things.

Love to see the discussion and support. Being new to chickens can make it even easier to miss subtle things. But keep an eye on your other gals. I doubt it... but have to mention that some predators can make it through very small holes and can leave very hard to detect teeth marks on the back of the neck. The dropping found after passing could have been just part of the process maybe. Many animals poo themselves at death.

Hope your other gals are well!

 

[FishMtFarm]

Actually corn is a good source of "energy" and has 7% protein. Our formulated rations are made from mostly corn in many instances.

However... Those rations do have added vitamins, minerals, and important amino acids that the corn by itself does not contain.

No, not all vegetables are created equal to grass... for example lettuce is mostly water.. where as peas are 22% protein. Not even all grasses are equal. Also, the free range birds are accessing other things which include bugs (usually high in protein but higher in fat as well) and minerals in the dirt plus a variety of other plants like amaranth, dandelion, and such. I don't consider vegetables a treat because my birds are free range and access whatever is there including many different types of berries and such (as you suggest is the case)... BUT they tend to keep moving and get a variety.. not focusing TOO much on any one thing that is available always. When I "bring out" anything though... they act crazy and gobble stuff up... so for me I say variety is key and maybe providing them in a way that doesn't make them think "treat". And lastly, they (mine) are not locked in with it... helping with the keep moving onto variety.

Don't get me wrong, I do completely agree with you.. just responding to your question or my take on how it can be different. And NO... I don't feed corn... If I had that stuff... I might consider trying to sprout it. The oats (and sunflower) as well... should only be used as a treat. Formulated rations have all the added nutrients needed to sustain confined birds. Other things can be used as enrichment... like tossing a little in to get them to turn their bedding and enjoy searching. Or even hand feeding as a bonding tool.

Do you know if the farmer planned to eat her? I do eat birds that suddenly pass without any other symptom... accidents happen. If he did you might ask if he noticed anything unusual during processing... like fatty liver.

8 months... seems too young for fatty liver disease caused by ONLY one month of possibly excess treats. Not knowing what they were fed at their previous place though.. it could have been a number of things.

Love to see the discussion and support. Being new to chickens can make it even easier to miss subtle things. But keep an eye on your other gals. I doubt it... but have to mention that some predators can make it through very small holes and can leave very hard to detect teeth marks on the back of the neck. The dropping found after passing could have been just part of the process maybe. Many animals poo themselves at death.

Hope your other gals are well!

Yeah the carbs and low protein are the energy but that’s about it. It’s more of a cheap filler. All animals should be fed corn in moderation. There are so many other options out there that I myself don’t use corn but I am not condemning others from using it. It’s just not a safe feed in my eyes. Oats and sunflower seeds are a better option for protein, selenium, omegas, fiber and carbs, along with the other vitamins and minerals they hold.