Over feeding

I'm not sure what that is I'm kinda new to the chicken business.. I keep it in front of her

Oh wait she doesn't have a deisease. she got her leg hung in the chicken pen.. Found her one evening when I got home from work

She eats and drinks very good I just wasn't sure of the amount she needs.. My husband wonders if her back is messed up.. I'm trying everything I can to help her, I even take her to work with me... It really breaks my heart.

If she eats and drinks well on her own, just give her constant access to food and water.

I've seen interesting pictures of slings on this forum which would allow chickens to partially use their legs and slowly recover.

If she doesn't make progress, you may have to entertain other options.

My husband made her one out of mesh where her feet hang straight down... She's been this way bout a week.. A first she didn't attempt to move but now she does...Its not a pretty sight when she does.. I have no idea of how quick she should recover if she even will. can u help me with the time frame.. I feel myself getting more attached everyday...

I really don't want so say... Hopefully someone more experienced than me will chime in. If it were me, and I hadn't seen progress after an week, I'd probably be thinking about what would be kinder to the chook.

jpalmatier83 said:

I can't really speak to any issues with cross species feed, but over feeding can be a real issue for chickens. But, ONLY, for meat specific hybrids. They will absolutely overeat to the point that they will overgrow, cause leg damage, and even heart attacks. I repeat, this is only (typically) for meat breeds. Layers, heritage, and dual purpose, don't have this problem. Your friend may be totally legit when he says he must restrict feed.

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Yes, I have heard of overeating and restricting feed for meet birds so I suppose it's possible it's necessary for these ones, I don't know, however they are not meat birds or anything. Just laying hens. And a silkie hen and rooster. And my friend, who is friends with him, has told me that he does it because the ducks and wildlife will eat the food if it's left out. So i think its just thaf he just feels like restricting it or thinks it needs to be but doesn't. They're just pets.

bantamrooster said:

Your friends friends chickens are probably getting underfed. When he does put the feed out theyre probably so hungry they are eating to fast and choking to death. I guess he could see that as over eating and killing themselves.

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ChickenCanoe said:

Not possible.


Could she have Marek's?
If she can't stand, she needs the food and water right in front of her.

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My thoughts exactly. And it makes me kinda sad that they do it for no reason, I wouldn't care if it was meat birds and it was necessary. But just because other animals eat it or they're starving and eat it all at once. I don't know.

Tina73 said:

My husband made her one out of mesh where her feet hang straight down... She's been this way bout a week.. A first she didn't attempt to move but now she does...Its not a pretty sight when she does..

I have no idea of how quick she should recover if she even will.

can u help me with the time frame.. I feel myself getting more attached everyday...

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It can take weeks (2-3-4) for an injured leg to heal....unless the hip is dislocated then an avian vet visit is in order.
If she slowly improves, just give it time and keep that food always ready for her.