So much anxiety: Dates on Feed Bags & more

[Dynamissa]

How the hell do you read the manufacture date on feed bags?? Why are they not just written plainly, ugh.


I can never find something that isn’t 5 months + even when I can read the dates

I had a death in my 21 week flock due to liver hemorrhage (though none of my girls were overweight) so I’ve been stopping treats and whatnot but now it feels like my pullets are extremely skinny with almost no breast muscle to speak of. I’m looking into getting fecal float done to check for parasites but they also don’t seem to be eating their feed as voraciously as they were… it’s the same stuff they were eating before their flock mate died.

I’m not sure what to do about it. They lay eggs almost every day and have nice looking feathers but the breast muscle is severely lacking and I’ve noticed they don’t go at their feed as much. Everybody goes to bed with a full crop and there is plenty of poop overnight but I’m not sure if this is all my anxiety and they’re fine or what… my anxiety is telling me they are eating dirt (they’ve started tearing up
The run floor like crazy) or not absorbing any nutrients from their feed or just not eating despite plenty of droppings, etc. I’m losing my mind. I have terrible anxiety already as it is but my pet anxiety is another level.

Just looking for some help and insight on what could be going on… if i could would it be worth trying to bring them to a vet for a condition check (I can’t tell myself and my brain is on pure worst case scenario mode)? We have an avian vet who sees chickens but I don’t know how to even bring them, or would I just do one
Uuughh..

Insight, thoughts, whatever, very appreciated.

 

[Bawkbok]

This site might help you understand the Julian dates on feed bags.
https://www.wikihow.com/Read-Julian-Dates

In my limited experience when a hen suddenly disappears from the flock it is noticed and the remaining members have to readjust and go through a pecking order all over again. I think in some way, chickens 'grieve' the absence of a member which is noticeable in small flocks.

If it is hot where you are, chickens eat less in hot weather. I wouldn't worry too much, they're getting what they need. I've learned they tend to self regulate their needs. I too worry about the right feed, are they getting the right nutrients? Is it enough? You can drive yourself crazy that way. I've also limited the number of treats which puts on too much fat.

Others here with more experience can chime in. I just want to say don't worry so much. It's not good to be obsessive about these things. As long as their poop looks ok and they sound like they are doing normal chicken things, it will be ok.

 

[Dynamissa]

This site might help you understand the Julian dates on feed bags.
https://www.wikihow.com/Read-Julian-Dates

In my limited experience when a hen suddenly disappears from the flock it is noticed and the remaining members have to readjust and go through a pecking order all over again. I think in some way, chickens 'grieve' the absence of a member which is noticeable in small flocks.

If it is hot where you are, chickens eat less in hot weather. I wouldn't worry too much, they're getting what they need. I've learned they tend to self regulate their needs. I too worry about the right feed, are they getting the right nutrients? Is it enough? You can drive yourself crazy that way. I've also limited the number of treats which puts on too much fat.

Others here with more experience can chime in. I just want to say don't worry so much. It's not good to be obsessive about these things. As long as their poop looks ok and they sound like they are doing normal chicken things, it will be ok.

It’s not hot here which is partially why I’m a little concerned. Loss in the 40s and highs in the 60s.


Thank you for the link!

 

[Bawkbok]

I can't speak to the temperature variance. We have hot and hotter but your weather sounds lovely!

 

[Dynamissa]

I can't speak to the temperature variance. We have hot and hotter but your weather sounds lovely!

Coming up on 2 years from moving back from Texas to
upstate NY. Not missing that nasty heat!!

 

[Dynamissa]

They all seem to be avoiding the feeder with the same old food… I’m confused.

 

[Perris]

@Dynamissa No breast muscle means they are starving; the food they are eating could be nutritionally useless. Try offering them some real food from your kitchen - something your grandmother would recognize as food, especially meat or fish - and see how that goes down.

Feather condition is a sign of their nutrition when they last moulted, when the feathers were formed. It says nothing about present nutrition.