My chicken will not eat!

[Debbie292d]

Hello, my 10 yo daughter was writing this and I am taking over as it is getting a bit ridiculous. The chicken was found unwell on a very hot day and we have hydrated her, kept her inside for a week and given her a week of antibiotics in case it is pneumonia or fowl cholera or similar. She is a lot better but her legs are still not really working. Thus it was a very acute illness and not likely a micronutrient issue, especially as all the other poultry are fine. I also assume that the feed mentioned is different in other countries. My daughter takes animal welfare very seriously and has been vegan her whole life so these comments are taken very personally. I sincerely hope we don't have to get a chicken wheelchair.

Thank you for clarifying. We all meant well in trying to help your chicken and were getting frustrated with the strange replies we were getting. Glad to know you know what's going on with your hen and hopefully she gets better quickly.

 

[TwoCrows]

I did some thread clean up here. Please be respectful of the OP and offer helpful advice and compassion only.

Thank you for your understanding,

~BYC Staff

 

[Ivyotis]

No panic, I got her to eat soggy starter crumble! Thank god my little hen is eating. And thank you for all your support! Her legs still do not work but at least she is eating.

You could try a little nutradrench diluted in water and syringe that into her mouth or mix in the food she is eating

 

[Ajb1952]

I think I would take her to an avian vet. You should be able to find one listed under the American Association of Avian Vets.

 

[Red Star 2019]

She is a very young pullet so cannot lay yet. Her diet is layer mash, bugs, greens and sometimes oats. She had been sick since boxing day night and I do not think it is a nutri drench or a poultry cell but thanks any way. I am not very worried about her legs because I can just put her in a wheel chair. Make sure she has grit and calcium free choice.

 

[UluLaté]

My chicken will not eat and I do not know what to do!!!!! My chicken (Nightshade) is a young Belgium Du'ccle. She will not eat! Her crop is getting smaller and she is sick. She has been sick for a few days and has not eaten. She cannot move her legs but her wings can move. I have been trying to feed her water with a bit of honey because she is drinking. But she does not want to drink it. We do not know what she is sick with! Please help ME!!!! I just want my little Night to be okay . Help Nightshade. She is so young, she has her whole life ahead of her!

Buy more chickens. She sounds lonesome.

 

[UluLaté]

I am thinking of giving her chicken physio. And we have weight off her legs. I also do not think growing chickens need "grower mash" because for four years I have been giving chicks starter crumble and when their beaks get big enough layer mash.

We do the same. Crumble seems to work best for the little ones. We keep them on that and then transition them to our own chicken feed. We mix cracked corn, wheat, oats, black sunflower seeds and soy meal. Sometimes we mix in a little COB with molasses and in the summer we turn them lose to do what they want and cut back on feed almost entirely.

 

[UluLaté]

Buy more chickens. She sounds lonesome.

Sorry I just realized this was posted months ago. I just found the thread in my inbox.

I'm sure it's resolved by now.

I hope all turned out well for your chicken.

 

[UluLaté]

no but chickens could live off bread!

I don't know.....chicken crumble smells an awful lot like Grape Nuts Cereal to me.....

 

[UluLaté]

Hello, my 10 yo daughter was writing this and I am taking over as it is getting a bit ridiculous. The chicken was found unwell on a very hot day and we have hydrated her, kept her inside for a week and given her a week of antibiotics in case it is pneumonia or fowl cholera or similar. She is a lot better but her legs are still not really working. Thus it was a very acute illness and not likely a micronutrient issue, especially as all the other poultry are fine. I also assume that the feed mentioned is different in other countries. My daughter takes animal welfare very seriously and has been vegan her whole life so these comments are taken very personally. I sincerely hope we don't have to get a chicken wheelchair.

Ah....she was sick first....and suffered paralysis. There are certain specific chicken diseases that have that as a symptom. I've never been able to bring them back once they suffer from paralysis. Sounds like she's a good nurse. Well done!