We Have Lost Way Too Many Of our 3 month old birds

[lazy gardener]

Helpful info:

Sq. footage of coop and run.
Number of birds in flock.
Free range?
Giving them grit?
What are you using for bedding?
Any insecticides/herbicides used on property within last 5 years?
How long have you had them on layer?
Signs/behavior of birds prior to death? Have you done a necropsy of any dead birds to see if you can find any issues?
General location. (state, climate helpful info.) many people put this info in their profile.

Thoughts: If new construction, perhaps paint fumes or other toxins. Using pressure treated wood? Using bleach in and around the coop could be causing the deaths. Bleach in and of it'self can be deathly to birds who have a much more sensitive respiratory system than we do. And if the bleach combines with any fumes from ammonia (break down product of animal protein, feces, urates, etc) it will combine to produce deathly Chloramine. How often have you wormed them? I'd not worm birds unless worms were diagnosed at a heavy enough load to warrant worming. I'd certainly not worm as a preventative.

 

[chickens really]

Hmmmm?

Bleach does not kill birds...I suggest to keep talking with the person you were talking too.....Inexperienced people can cause more harm than good!

Cheers!

 

[lazy gardener]

Interesting that some claim to be so greatly knowledgeable, while putting down others to prove their knowledge. Trapper, wishing you the best with your problem. You will have to sift through the advice you have been given, and choose the course that makes the most sense based on what you are seeing in your flock.

 

[3riverschick]

I think I've solved your problem. You are feeding layer pellets to CHICKS! Not good. Really not good. The high levels of calcium in layer feed will kill young birds. Layer feed is for actively laying birds only.

Oh Junebuggena,
How could I have missed that! Of course you are right. I feel awful. I was so busy looking for solutions, I missed reading part of the problem. Way too much calcium in that. Esp. for the roosters.
Big ovation for your post!!
Karen

 

[3riverschick]

Wait a minute!! I don't see any mention of probiotics in your treatment regimen. Are you giving them any? Because the antibiotics and the warmer are stripping their G.I tracts of the beneficial bacteria they need to process their feed properly. I just presumed they were getting them. If not, you need to repopulate that G.I. tract with beneficial bacteria. Get them on the Nutri-drench in their water. Then get them on a high quality probiotic. I see the feed you are using is organic and such. There could be a problem with the grain. Does it smell fresh? No bad odor? We need to read about symptoms. So many people on the sickness thread ready and willing to help.
I would switchthem to Purina All Flock. I know its not organic and all that but it's a good solid feed. Right for their age and can also be fed to the rest of the flock. All ages and all sexes. Purina has recently added extra nuttional goodies into that All Flock. I had good success with it. Then after you get everything all straightened out with your birds you can decide whether to separate the ages and use a laying feed again for the hens.
Also, I would ask the vet to look for crystals or lesions in the kidneys of the dead birds. That can be a sign it was too much calcium in the laying feed which killed them. esp. the roosters. here, read the section under "Laying Hens".
http://articles.extension.org/pages/69065/feeding-chickens-for-egg-production
Also go to: http://articles.extension.org/poultry Let the slide show travese the screen until the article on "Raising Chickens for Egg Production" comes up. Click on that. It is by the same Jacobs. Explains feedig and has a feeding chart with ages in it.

Warm Regards,
Karen

 

[runt325]

 I have lost 10  8 young pullets & 2 of my roosters they did perfect until thier 3rd month my brother lost 12 young pullets & a rooster Friends we know how to raise chickens & we are stumped as to whats causing the deaths we have put them on Antibotics & we have wormed them with the Piperzine & we spray pour hen houses out every couple of week with bleach I called Cackle & ask them what could be going on & here is the words they use & i quote { We warranty them to be living when they come to me in the mail & if they are dying now Mr. Sturgill it not our problem } end quote  Cackle couldn't have cared any less about my trouble but they sure didn't mind snatching up my @347.99 back when we ordered Cackle could have been less gruffy all i done was tell them what was going on but they just don't care I will say this I WILL NEVER ORDER ANOTHER CHICK FROM CACKLE HATCHERY

I know this unit about the chick help but I would make cackle hatchery give your money back or let u talk to their manger

 

[runt325]

I have read there shipping policy and it said if it had been over days then u can return them

 

[3riverschick]

I have read there shipping policy and it said if it had been over days then u can return them

Hi,
The buyer has had them almost 3 months and is feeding them improperly. I do believe the improper feed is an innocent mistake and these things do happen. The problem now is how to prevent further damage and fix the situation. It is a tough thing to lose birds when one has spent so much time and money on them. The situation now is how to help the birds.
I do wonder if there could be unnoticed ( by anyone including manufacturuer or buyer) mold in the feed. This is a big concern in the commercial laying industry and they carefully monitor it. Probably need a lab check of the feed to tell. Might even be caused by the humid weather we had this summer( in PA at least). Best to get a bird necropsied and see what is causing it before we throw stones at anyone. Have you called Bartlett?
Best,
Karen

 

[runt325]

Hi,
 The buyer has had them almost 3 months and is feeding them improperly. I do believe the improper feed is an innocent mistake and these things so happen. The problem now is how to prevent further damage and fix the situation.  It is a tough thing to lose birds when one has spent so much time and money on them. The situation now is how to help the birds.
Best,
 Karen

oh sorry but give them some medicated chick starter mannapro and some grit and they should be fine

 

[ChickNanny13]

I have built all brand new House & pen & as far as feeding i feed them a 20% Bartlett Laying pellets I have given them the best care as good as any one can do & in some cases i do better than some of the so called Pens were the most nasty & the stench made my sick to my Stomach & i tossed my cookies All of my chickens are well cared for BELIEVE Me my caring of the Chickens isn't the problem I promise you

You don't feed chicks Laying Pellets, you feed them Chick Starter! Layer pellets aren't to be fed to chicks until they're AT LEAST 16 - 18wks, the calcium in it is probably what killed you chicks, not Cackles fault. Whomever you talked to was insensitive but think it's the feed....