5ish year old Brahma hen

[Blazesherd]

Hey everyone, I use to be a frequent member but it's been a few years now. I'm helping to care for my mom's small flock and getting back into raising chickens for eggs/pets. My brahma is roughly 5 years old and has stopped eating. She acts interested in food but just won't eat enough to sustain her weight. She has lost weight for sure but acts (so far) curious and happy. Seems to have energy but stays roosted for a good part of the day. I'm gone for 9-12 hours a day so can only care for her after or before. I've been scrambling eggs with a little bit of cayenne pepper. She will eat maybe half before going back to roost. I have a bowl of her main food source and a bowl of mash I made out too. I do my best to give her a dose of nutri-drench once a day also. I'm just at a loss, I know she is older but want to do what is best. Do I keep trying or just let her go... She hates being syringed fed and too feisty for a feeding tube. She is if course my favorite hen. She is so sweet

 

[nuthatched]

Have you ever wormed?
When's the last time she laid, if you know?

 

[Blazesherd]

Have you ever wormed?
When's the last time she laid, if you know?

I believe she stopped laying this summer. I've had her inside for a couple days so far and no eggs from her. She moves around well and not acting eggbound. They were dewormed last year, but I did end up deworming her last night just to rule all that out.

 

[nuthatched]

I believe she stopped laying this summer. I've had her inside for a couple days so far and no eggs from her. She moves around well and not acting eggbound. They were dewormed last year, but I did end up deworming her last night just to rule all that out.

Ok, what did you use to deworm?
What's their diet? Have you checked for mites/lice ir injuries?

 

[Blazesherd]

Ok, what did you use to deworm?
What's their diet? Have you checked for mites/lice ir injuries?

My mom uses ivermectin drops. And we go by the weight of the chicken for how many drops they need. My brahma is underweight, so I only did one drop to be safe.... Not sure if that is okay. I did check for mites/lice and she is clean of those! And no injuries that I can see on her... About a month ago we did have an opossum attack our barn. It killed one of my other hens and the others got quite a fright. But that was over a month ago so I don't think it could be from that.

 

[Blazesherd]

My mom uses ivermectin drops. And we go by the weight of the chicken for how many drops they need. My brahma is underweight, so I only did one drop to be safe.... Not sure if that is okay. I did check for mites/lice and she is clean of those! And no injuries that I can see on her... About a month ago we did have an opossum attack our barn. It killed one of my other hens and the others got quite a fright. But that was over a month ago so I don't think it could be from that.

My mom buys cornmash/layer feed. But they also get scratch grains in hay to scratch around in during these boring winter months. They have access to grit and calcium. And I also have a pecking block that they enjoy

 

[nuthatched]

My mom uses ivermectin drops. And we go by the weight of the chicken for how many drops they need. My brahma is underweight, so I only did one drop to be safe.... Not sure if that is okay. I did check for mites/lice and she is clean of those! And no injuries that I can see on her... About a month ago we did have an opossum attack our barn. It killed one of my other hens and the others got quite a fright. But that was over a month ago so I don't think it could be from that.

Ivermectin is not recommended for internal parasites anymore, it's lost some effective properties.

My mom buys cornmash/layer feed. But they also get scratch grains in hay to scratch around in during these boring winter months. They have access to grit and calcium. And I also have a pecking block that they enjoy

What's cornmash?

 

[Blazesherd]

Ivermectin is not recommended for internal parasites anymore, it's lost some effective properties.

What's cornmash?

I had no idea about the ivermectin. What would you suggest for me to use instead?

I just double checked with my mom. It's a layer feed. She buys it from the elevator by us and they mix and grind the feed there then bag it. It's a winter mix, they free range in the summer and don't eat much of it during that time.

 

[nuthatched]

I had no idea about the ivermectin. What would you suggest for me to use instead?

I just double checked with my mom. It's a layer feed. She buys it from the elevator by us and they mix and grind the feed there then bag it. It's a winter mix, they free range in the summer and don't eat much of it during that time.

Fenbendazole (safeguard) is what's usually recommended.
Could she be molting?

 

[Blazesherd]

Fenbendazole (safeguard) is what's usually recommended.
Could she be molting?

Thank you very much for that information! I will get that instead.
I believe she already molted... All my other ones have molted and are back to normal with their feathers grown back. But I'd say they just finished up molting in the last couple of weeks. I really appreciate the replies!