Suburban Small Flock Owners, mortality rate?

[Renee]

For your chickens, that is.

I have experienced a very high mortality rate since I first got chickens in March of 2008.

I originally had four chickens and as of today, two have died: one with sour crop and one with prolapse. That's a 50% mortality rate!

I hope this is unusual. My husband says it's because I am too much of a helicopter mom; I clean the coop and the waterers every day, check them for mites or lice, etc.

What is a normal mortality rate for suburban backyard chickens?

Renee

 

[crtrlovr]

This has been a HORRENDOUS year for me. Since the first of the year, I've lost to some strange illness -- 3 bantam chicks, 2 bantam pullets around 5 mos., one bantam frizzle cochin roo 6 mos., one blue splash silkie roo 1 yr. , one 6 mo. RIR cockerel, one Golden Comet hen (freak accident), another bantam frizzle cochin roo (hawk or owl

), yet another bantam frizzle cochin roo to another freak accident (LF jumped off the roost and landed on him, breaking his neck) and one beautiful Australorp chick that the

guinea pecked and killed. Makes my heart so heavy.... I love them all, and it is devastating to find one of my sweet babies dead. I am SURE this is an aberration. I do hope things get back on an even keel soon.

 

[Baymen Moe]

I have no idea if there's a normal rate of mortality. I'm a new chicken owner. I started with 15 birds on May 22nd and I'm happy to say I still have 15 very healthy birds today. Hopefully I'll still have 15 a year from now.

Bill

 

[Brindlebtch]

Out of 9 chicks I lost one to an impacted crop the first week, and since then they have all been healthy. They are now 20 weeks and I'm waiting with bated breath for the first egg!

 

[NatalieB]

I am new to this chicken thing.......though I love it and it is sooooo addicting!! I have lost 3 birds in 3 months. One to a dog attack that I nursed for a week and then euthanized, one baby got smothered by the other babies and one that was fine turned my back for seriously 20 seconds and was dead. I guess they all have their circumstances. I have come to realized from reading these boards that I am not doing too bad. Many injuries and illness out there. I thought it was me, but I guess it comes with owning livestock.......Sorry about your loss. I miss Lucy dearly. She was the sweetest bird

 

[briteday]

Also being new to chickens (within the last year) I have discovered that it is best for us to stick with known, name-brand feed...and don't feed too much extra stuff, buy chicks or chickens from a reputable source, and know who touches your birds...I insist that people wash their hands before and after touching our birds. And if I go to visit friends with chickens (or walk in someone's yard where they are fanatical abut feeding wild birds or wildlife) I leave my shoes in the garage and change my clothes, wash my hads before touching my birds.

 

[ace6175]

I started with 15 (thought I was getting 13 from Farm & Fleet). The 1st day 2 died! Then all was well until at about 5 weeks, I got sick with sour crop(?) and ended up dying.
The remaining 13 are healthy, however, 1 is a cornish x destined for the oven next week, and at least 2 (possibly 3) are roosters. I will only keep 1 rooster. Seems like I've had some bad luck!

 

[cgmccary]

I have kept many chickens in the city and do not have a high mortality rate. If I had to put a number on it, I'd say less than 5% (knock on wood!).

 

[Cindy in PA]

I think I read a long time ago that mortality is 1% per year. That would mean my usual flock of 12 would lose 1.2 chickens each year! I have had years where I lost one, years when I lost none and then with my last 12 I lost 3 in a year and a half. I think it really depends on a lot of factors!

 

[rosegal]

I have lost one to the neighbors dog. She went over the fence, we had to cull her. I think it depends on they are kept and how much open space they get. Mine have so much space lots of dirt, sand and various water, even if I don't clean out every day, they are all over the place so I don't think it matters much. In a coop all day, would seem to open up the chance for more problems.