Speckled Sussex losing weight.

[Nimby Chickens]

I spend enough time with my girls to notice weight differences when I pick them up and cuddle them, and I have noticed a weight drop in my speckled sussex, I.Q.

Shes not emaciated but I feel a difference. I have not observed worms in her poo or seen mites and she is the only one with this problem. She acts totally normal and eats like a pig. She is just about 5 months, not laying yet.

Ideas?

 

[tdgill]

How's her crop feel?

 

[anderson8505]

You didn't happen to buy her at a swap about a month ago? Cuz I bought 2 SS then from an older couple and their granddaughter. One died of crop impaction gone bad because I didn't catch it in time. The other doesn't gain weight well either but she's doing okay. I don't think they were fed good quality chick feed growing up.

 

[Nimby Chickens]

Crop feels normal to me, not bulging or hard, and not soft either. Although I did hear some air come out of it while I massaged it - I figured that was normal since they gulp down things with such ferocity. Do chickens not 'burp'?

I hatched this little one from an egg I bought from the auctions here (Nancy/bargain) and she has been really healthy so far. Always has plenty of good chicken food and lots of treats - grapes and mashed peanuts today.

 

[anderson8505]

Well, that's good. Since she's eating and acting normal I would just keep monitoring her behavior. Maybe another chicken told her "those feathers make you look fat" and she's watching her diet.

 

[Nimby Chickens]

She's not molting but continues to feel skinny to me. She's much lighter than my buff orpington, Nimbynugget - they were hatched together and according to breed description Sussexes should be heavier at an earlier age...

What can I give her to fatten her up? I'm getting worried.

 

[Nimby Chickens]

I found a mite on my sultan hen today! I think this is mite-related! I'm going to treat them all and the coop today.

Hopefully they will gain again!