5ish year old Brahma hen

[nuthatched]

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!

What's the protein on the feed? Low protein can make a molt rough for a bird.

 

[Blazesherd]

What's the protein on the feed? Low protein can make a molt rough for a bird.

That's a really good question. I will look at the bag once I get home from work!
Thank you! What protein percentage do people usually like to feed?

 

[nuthatched]

That's a really good question. I will look at the bag once I get home from work!
Thank you! What protein percentage do people usually like to feed?

I, personally, feed 18-20%, but if you typically feed less, she does need more during and after molt.

 

[Blazesherd]

I, personally, feed 18-20%, but if you typically feed less, she does need more during and after molt.

Thank you for that information! My feed has 18 percent protein. I've been giving her super worms and meal worms as a protein boost. I'm hoping she will perk up soon and start eating her feed again. I've been syringe feeding water/ mineral booster as well once a day after work

 

[Wyorp Rock]

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.

Welcome To BYC

When you have time, can you post photos of your hen and her poop?

She's roosting for the majority of the day - have you added any new birds recently? Is she being bullied/kept from food or avoiding a rooster?

Check her crop first thing in the morning before she's had anything to eat/drink, is it emptying?

Any bloat or feeling of fluid in the abdomen below the vent between the legs?

Any lice or mites?

If you wish to deworm and she's not molting. Safeguard (Fenbendazole) can be used. Dose is 0.23ml per pound of weight given orally once daily for 5 days in a row.

Valbazen (Albendazole) is another good dewormer to use. Dose is 0.08ml per pound of weight given once, then repeated in 10days.

 

[Blazesherd]

I have an exciting update! She ate on her own today, her crop is not completely full but certainly exciting to see.

I have no new additions to my flock. I did have to rehome a young rooster several months ago because he was picking on her. After he was gone she went back to normal and started eating just fine. I'm not noticing anybody pick on her, and she doesn't really have any peck injuries either on her face.

Her crop is completely empty in the morning, she seems to be digesting what I can get into her just fine.
I checked for any fluid around her abdomen and legs. I'm not feeling anything weird. And I've also checked for lice and mites, she's completely clean!

Do you think her problem was she was just low on protein? I've been giving her mealworms and superworms in the morning and at night. And today she did eat on her own.

I just want to say thank you all so much for replying to me! And I really appreciate everybody being so patient as well! I am really new to this and I just want to learn everything I can to keep my girls healthy now and in the future!

I attached a few photos. She is acting completely normal today very lively and talkative. I tried to attach a video but it didn't want to upload.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you think her problem was she was just low on protein? I've been giving her mealworms and superworms in the morning and at night. And today she did eat on her own.

Pretty girl!

I'm glad to hear she's improving.

I'd focus on her eating her normal nutritionally balanced poultry feed.

Go easy on worms, they are also high in fat.

 

[Blazesherd]

Pretty girl!

I'm glad to hear she's improving.

I'd focus on her eating her normal nutritionally balanced poultry feed.

Go easy on worms, they are also high in fat.

She definitely thinks so too haha!

Me too! She seems okay today, I threw down some food and she went right to eating. Fingers crossed she's on the mend. Seems to be moving around just fine.
And sounds good I'll lay off the worms and get her to eat her main poultry feed!