- Jul 31, 2012
- 2
- 0
- 7
Hi, everyone! I'm new to this forum, but have lived on a farm all my life and have had a small flock of 7 (now 5)chickens and 3 guineas for three years now. Up until last week everyone was happy and healthy. When I went to give fresh water one afternoon, a black sex link hen was dead, and the next day a red sex link had died. They did not appear sick at all beforehand. We didn't change anything with the feed. Every day they get a mix of sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and white millet, along with their continual supply of pellets. They get fresh water 2-3 times/day, and are in an enclosed 10x30 foot run, which is partially covered so they have some shade. In the evenings we try to let them out to eat grass and bugs. I've talked to several people, and no one can give me a clue as to what happened. We took away their grains as well as their nightly jaunt outside, and now I feel like I'm punishing them. There is a sour cherry tree near their pen. If they would have eaten some leaves would that have done it? They also love to peck around under the weeping pussy willow tree, but have been doing that for months with no problems. We clean out their pen every week and use straw as bedding as well as in the run to keep them out of the mud when it rains. Any ideas as to what caused these deaths? (Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to give as much information as possible.) Thanks for any and all help!