Somethings up with my flock

[shalla]

I had 12 chickens. In one coop is a Delaware Blue rooster (intimidates the girls) and in the other I had 5 buff orpington hens, an araucana hen and a Polish roo.
On Friday I noticed the araucana and Polish were a little squatty and slow but I thought it was because the temp dropped 30° in a day.
Well Monday morning the araucana was dead and my polish wasn't too far behind.
I brought him in gave him probioticso and electrolytes for 2 days and he is back to his old sassy self.

Last night I got home from work and it looks like one of my buffs has frost bite on half of their face and another one had an abnormal poop.


The only new things are straw on the floor of the coop and some 18 week old chicks (that are quartined).

I'm attaching the poop pic and I am trying to get a face pic of the other one.

 

[Isaac 0]

Frostbite can be due to lack of ventilation in the coop.What do you feed them?

 

[shalla]

They free range, get organic fruits and vegetables, layer feed

 

[Isaac 0]

Do you have pics of your coop\inside?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi.

I don't know what your true issue is, and I am sorry for your loss.

Thought I might suggest switching to a feed with more protein. 16% that is in layer is the bare minimum and you might be diminishing that further by feeding fruits and vegetables. 4% calcium that is in layer is too much and can cause kidney damage as well as stunt growth in those who aren't laying such as molting hens, growing pullets, chicks, and roosters. Many have said the life span of all chickens including roosters was lengthened when the quit feeding layer as the sole ration.

For my mixed age and gender flock I use flock raiser with 20% protein. And offer oyster shell on the side for layers since it has only 1% calcium. The extra protein supports growth and muscle development as well as feather growth since that's what they are made of. Sounds like your mixed age and gender flock could benefit.

Then I only have to buy one feed for everybody and not worry about someone eating the wrong feed.

How far are your 18 week old chicks quarantined? Do you wash hands and change shoes, service the original residents first to avoid contamination?

Also it is OK to keep your whole flock on grower or raiser permanently (assuming the protein is about 18-22% NEVER less than 16%) as long as you offer the OS on the side. Your flock is large enough it might be worth looking into fermented feed. Check the link in my signature line.

I am happy with the results!

I agree, ventilation is your problem if you are getting frost bite... There is way too much moisture in the air! Without which frostbite isn't too much of an issue.... according to the peeps who live in colder regions and don't provide heat in their coops in major sub zero temperatures.

I never saw your poop/coop pics yet. To add them you use that little button that looks like little mountains with a sun or moon in the tool bar....

 

[shalla]

So my pics aren't uploading for some reason.
It is a 6×8 amish built quaker style coop with 5 windows.
My boyfriend did buy a new feed this go around and I'm wondering if that could be a problem?

The girls have a dish on the side of oyster shells that they can get to if they would like.
And surprisingly I'm still get eggs daily with all the issues

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Windows might be irrelevant if there isn't openings up high to let it actually vent with no drafts. Are you seeing condensation on the windows?

New feed could cause problems if isn't nutritionally balanced or if it were moldy might cause death.

 

[chickens really]

In my experience and opinion it all is related to improper nutrition........Chickens should not get fed a bunch of fillers......Treats/scraps/snacks.....Fillers.....Balanced premade diets are all Chickens need....Age appropriate feed is available for Chickens....Fresh water and clean Coops......Healthy Chickens never get sick......



Cheers!