16mo Buff Orp is painfully thin - and not getting better?

[SilverChickie]

As far as I can tell she eats and drinks regularly, but I may quarantine her for a bit in a few days and make sure. Luckily my schedule is pretty clear for the next month so I have time to be a doting chicken mama!

I'll also see if I can get my hands on some pumpkin seeds!

Regarding upping the protein, should I see if my local feed store has higher protein feed, or give them more protein rich treats? Lately we've cut back on treats a bit more so they focus more on their feed, and they free range all day.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

If you want to try the pumpkin seeds, for now, just get a pumpkin, split it in two and put it in with the birds. They will eat everything and leave the skin. That is, if you have pumpkins available...

And, even though the other poster mixed up the state you live in, it's not a bad idea to get a fecal sample checked if you are suspecting worms.

Another thing to consider...your BO will visibly look thinner as she molts. If she is a hatchery bird (as mine is) she will never be as weighty as a BO from a breeder.

Oh, and I have no actual knowledge of this, but I read on here somewhere that it's not a good idea to worm them when they are molting because it's too hard on them. Anyone know if that's true?

(Edited for typo)

 

[roxyblue]

Personally I think that the molt itself is hard enough on them, I know my girl is haveing a very though time. I would hold off on medication untill she is finished molting. As for uping the protein,I would give her scrambled eggs,yogurt or buttermilk,(this also serves as a probiotic.), and other high protein treats such as mealworms. One of my girls is also very thin because she had a very hard molt and I had to feed her LOTS of extra protein, she seems to be doing much better. I agree that you should get her/their dropping tested to see if they have worms expecially if you plan on useing medication for them,though a pumkin will not hurt them one bit. i hope she shows some improvment soon. Also make sure that she has acsess to food and water all day, If she is on the bottom of the pecking order consider getting another feeder ar feeding her by hand.
hope this helps,
-Roxy

 

[snowflake]

do get a fecal test done. can be hard to find a vet to do it for chickens but is worth the time and $$ very very thin, by the time I found out what was wrong it was to late for 4 of the 6 that were sick. out of my 28 birds only the new this yr. black french marans. were lost. they had coccidia and stongyles(a blood sucking hook worm) I'm not sure what was the killer but it was a costly, and sad lesson

 

[SilverChickie]

Okay. Making a list right now of stuff to do.

1. Add extra food and water stations; monitor to MAKE SURE she is eating and drinking.
2. Up the protein to help get through her molt and put on more weight.
3. Give pumpkin and pumpkin seeds for protein and as a natural wormer. (The girls looooove to eat pumpkins.)
4. See about getting droppings tested?
5. Consider worming when her molt is finished and if she hasn't put on weight.
6. I've started keeping her inside on particularly chilly nights; she won't sleep in the coop with the others.
7. Generally spoil her rotten and give her more attention and love then she'll know what to do with.

Sound good for now?

 

[roxyblue]

Sounds GREAT

 

[SilverChickie]

Thanks for all your help BYC! You guys rock!