We lost one of our two silkies last night, at 11 weeks old

[nobakecheezcake]

We got two white silkie hens 6 weeks ago, and lost the smaller one last night, but we're not sure why. When we first got them, we kept them in the house with a heat lamp for the first 3 weeks, until it was regularly above 65 outside and they were better able to regulate their body temp. We then moved them outside to a brand new coop purchased from Tractor Supply. They have had access to plenty of grit, and there is currently sand on the ground in the coop. They ate Dumor starter feed until approximately 8 weeks old, and then we switched to the laying feed of the same brand, despite the fact that they wouldn't be laying for several more months. They have had treats, such as mealworms, strawberries, yogurt, and scraps of veggies (no root veggies or avocado) and have daily access to bugs/insects and the ability to free range for several hours at a time most days. We have also sprinkled Diotomaceous Earth on the ground in the coop, and added some to their food to prevent/treat for worms. We are currently usingPremier Pet Aspen Bedding (all natural sludge-free kiln-dried hardwood bedding). Prior to that we used shredded newspaper.about a week ago (before the bedding change) the smaller hen was acting funny, with her head pulled in close to her body, and moving slowly. She stopped running away when we tried to pick her up, and stopped grooming and scratching/pecking the ground. She was still eating from the feeder, drinking and pooping. That night, after my husband told me about her behavior, I mixed up some yogurt and strawberries and added some whey to their water. She ANNIHILATED the yogurt and strawberries, and before long was acting normal again. She had been acting fine ever since. According to my husband, she was fine last night, and we woke up this morning to find her dead in the roost. We live in Ohio, and temps have been between 70-90 degrees for the past week, with a high of 80 yesterday. There is plenty of ventilation in the coop, as it is open mesh on three sides. There was usually a tiny spot of poo in the superfluffy feathers outside her vent, but I attributed it to the fact that everything sticks to cotton balls, which is essentially what they appear to be. There was no redness or diarrhea, and no glaringly obvious symptoms otherwise. I assume I can rule out being egg-bound at only 11 weeks old if she'd never laid an egg, and I don't think she was impacted since she was still pooping, I dont think it could have been worms or mites, due to the DE, but I'm at a loss. I'm trying to a) find out what may have cause her death and b) find out if/when we should look for another companion for the remaining hen. I added whey, vinegar (with the mother) and 3 drops of oregano oil to the water this morning, and the bedding has been replaced. Right now my 12 year old (the hens are her pets) is enjoying the extra attention that she can get from the remaining hen since it's not attached at the hip to the other hen, but she's worried it will now die of loneliness. Also, I got the hens from someine an hour and a half away who said that they were both hens, but the remaining hen was always dominant and semi-aggressive, with some rooster-esque mannerisms. I'm starting to wonder if its actually a hen, or was mis-sexed. Any advice or information is appreciated.

 

[kitkat5505]

The problem could be the layer feed so early. It contains too much calcium for young chicks, and isn't recommended before 18 weeks or they are laying.

 

[dfalco]

It certainly sounds as though you have taken very attentive care of your chickens. It's so hard to lose a pet. I hope you find answers soon.

 

[nobakecheezcake]

The problem could be the layer feed so early. It contains too much calcium for young chicks, and isn't recommended before 18 weeks or they are laying.

Thank you, I wasn't thrilled about switching so early, but my husband said he knew what he was doing. I'm going to get grower/finisher now.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

They ate Dumor starter feed until approximately 8 weeks old, and then we switched to the laying feed of the same brand, despite the fact that they wouldn't be laying for several more months.
the smaller hen was acting funny, with her head pulled in close to her body, and moving slowly........only 11 weeks old

Hi @nobakecheezcake Welcome To BYC

Sorry to hear about your loss.

There is no way to know for sure what caused her death without a necropsy or testing.

If I understand correctly, your chicks are only 11weeks old? If this is case, then you need to switch batch to chick starter or use an all flock/flock raiser feed. Layer feed is formulated for actively laying pullets and hens, your girls are too young to be laying. Personally I would use chick starter or flock raiser all the way up until they start laying - don't go by ages on feed bags, then switch if that's what you want to do. I just use flock raiser and offer oyster shell free choice, takes out having to buy different formulas for different ages.

It's possible it could be the feed - too much calcium, but there is no way to know.

As for getting a new friend for your existing one, anytime would be good. You will want to consider quarantining any new birds to observe them for illness and parasites. There is a lot of info about quarantine. You may want to contact the breeder you got them from to see if they have any more around the same age.