In my bantam coop I had 10 red cochin/frizzles (9 hens, 1 roo) as well as 7 silkies and 1 roo silkie. It's a 10 x 20 shed that has been adapted to the chickens. Walls have been insulated, electric run and during the day I leave a heat lamp on so it doesn't get too cold. There is ventilation, but no direct drafts.
About a week and a half ago TSC ran out of their regular Dumor crumbles, which the birds have been on their whole lives. They were hatched around June 1st. I bought a bag of Blue Seal egg layer forumla. I don't know if there is any connection, but in less than a week I have had two dead silkies. No apparent illness, everyone seems very healthy. The first one I found appeared to have been attacked, and had left blood across the wall. The second one this morning didn't have any blood around, but her eye and brains were eaten out. My first thought was that something was wrong with the feed, and that the chickens were canabilizing (sp) themselves for protein (?). The birds are all very docile and have never picked on or attacked each other. They all get along very well, including the two roos. We never even have picked out feathers.
Additionally there have been rats in the main barn. We are down to just a few and have never seen them outside of the big barn or anywhere near the little coop. (Quite a ways away.)
So, without seeing the birds, and just based on this little bit of info, does anyone have any ideas. I'm about ready to bring the birds into the house to keep them for dying any further. But, as you can imagine, hubby is not too keen on this idea.
About a week and a half ago TSC ran out of their regular Dumor crumbles, which the birds have been on their whole lives. They were hatched around June 1st. I bought a bag of Blue Seal egg layer forumla. I don't know if there is any connection, but in less than a week I have had two dead silkies. No apparent illness, everyone seems very healthy. The first one I found appeared to have been attacked, and had left blood across the wall. The second one this morning didn't have any blood around, but her eye and brains were eaten out. My first thought was that something was wrong with the feed, and that the chickens were canabilizing (sp) themselves for protein (?). The birds are all very docile and have never picked on or attacked each other. They all get along very well, including the two roos. We never even have picked out feathers.
Additionally there have been rats in the main barn. We are down to just a few and have never seen them outside of the big barn or anywhere near the little coop. (Quite a ways away.)
So, without seeing the birds, and just based on this little bit of info, does anyone have any ideas. I'm about ready to bring the birds into the house to keep them for dying any further. But, as you can imagine, hubby is not too keen on this idea.
