Advice please - free ranging a sick hen

[micstrachan]

I wasn’t sure where would be the best for them to post this. I’ve already posted about this hen in the past on the emergency forum, as she’s been having issues for a couple years.

I have a hen who is very ill. She almost died last week, but has since made a bit of a come back. She’s at the point that she will only eat while free ranging, and will not eat regular feed inside the run. I keep my birds confined to run most of the time, because we have so many predators. However, I do let them free range every night after work and on the weekends when I can be out supervising with the dog.

I just let this hen out for her own, personal free range time for an hour before I head to work. I’m tempted to just let her stay out. It’s a huge risk for predation, but if she stays inside the run, I fear she will just waste away. Thoughts? Take the risk? Is that crazy? I’m not willing to let my whole flock free range all the time, as I would certainly lose some to predation. This one tends to stay close to the buildings and under trees. Predation is still a risk, but she draws less attention to herself than the whole flock would. Please share your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[azygous]

I know you are desperate to get this hen to eat, but I think there may be better, safer ways than letting her fend for herself in the big dangerous world. Being weak, she wouldn't stand a chance of using flight as a defense, and I doubt she's getting any significant nourishment free ranging that could improve her health status.

I've been dealing with a couple of hens that have been sick and had poor appetites, further weakening them. One food that has been attractive to both and got them to eating is boiled rice with cottage cheese, or keifer, or soft boiled egg mixed in. I trade off among those. I also sprinkle Poultry Nutri-drench over the top for added nutrients.

This provides instant energy and actually has improved their appetites. I don't feed it every day, just when I noticed them starting to be lethargic again and not wanting to eat. Needless to say, they don't get fed this delicacy with the flock. I put them in the jail section as they take their time to eat. Later, they go back with the flock, and they seem to be improving overall from this strategy.

 

[micstrachan]

I know you are desperate to get this hen to eat, but I think there may be better, safer ways than letting her fend for herself in the big dangerous world. Being weak, she wouldn't stand a chance of using flight as a defense, and I doubt she's getting any significant nourishment free ranging that could improve her health status.

I've been dealing with a couple of hens that have been sick and had poor appetites, further weakening them. One food that has been attractive to both and got them to eating is boiled rice with cottage cheese, or keifer, or soft boiled egg mixed in. I trade off among those. I also sprinkle Poultry Nutri-drench over the top for added nutrients.

This provides instant energy and actually has improved their appetites. I don't feed it every day, just when I noticed them starting to be lethargic again and not wanting to eat. Needless to say, they don't get fed this delicacy with the flock. I put them in the jail section as they take their time to eat. Later, they go back with the flock, and they seem to be improving overall from this strategy.

Thank you. This is good advice. I did put her back in the run before I left for work. I might “jail” her with a large variety of edible options tomorrow. As I think you already know, I have a mini coop within the run. She sometimes hangs out under it, anyway.

I forgot to mention that she did catch and eat a mouse while free ranging this past weekend. I had to fend off her sisters from stealing it from her.

 

[azygous]

She caught a mouse and ate it! Good for her. Proves there's still plenty of life in her.

How have you been? Things are hectic here following still another killer hail storm that dumped three inches of marble size hail. The run roof needs to be replaced as there are now more patches and new holes than intact material. I've also had to replant nearly my entire veggie garden after nursing the seedlings indoors since March. Very depressing.

The chickens think the muddy soil is splendid, though. Plenty of worms driven to the surface. It reminds me of Santa Cruz the rainy summer of '74.

 

[micstrachan]

Hanging in. As a public school employee, I’ve had a crazy work year.

No hail, but we had a late cold snap followed by heat wave that killed a couple tomato plants. I replaced them, along with a couple others I ended up being able to save, so I’m giving away the duplicates. Harvested my first zucchini yesterday!

 

[micstrachan]

This hen enjoyed another almost 3 hours of free range time after work. She did not go to bed early at all tonight. She even tried to roost. Once roosting shenanigans happened, she ended up getting kicked out of the spot she had chosen and went back to a nest box. However, the fact that she tried as promising. I’m really not sure what to do with her tomorrow. If I confine her to jail, it might crush her spirit. She seems to be slowly gaining strength on her own.

 

[Kris5902]

Following, I will think on it... it’s a tough call

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I know you are desperate to get this hen to eat, but I think there may be better, safer ways than letting her fend for herself in the big dangerous world. Being weak, she wouldn't stand a chance of using flight as a defense, and I doubt she's getting any significant nourishment free ranging that could improve her health status.

I've been dealing with a couple of hens that have been sick and had poor appetites, further weakening them. One food that has been attractive to both and got them to eating is boiled rice with cottage cheese, or keifer, or soft boiled egg mixed in. I trade off among those. I also sprinkle Poultry Nutri-drench over the top for added nutrients.

This provides instant energy and actually has improved their appetites. I don't feed it every day, just when I noticed them starting to be lethargic again and not wanting to eat. Needless to say, they don't get fed this delicacy with the flock. I put them in the jail section as they take their time to eat. Later, they go back with the flock, and they seem to be improving overall from this strategy.

I like azygous' food suggestions.

It does sound risky to let her free range when you are not there. Would you be willing to do it knowing she might be "gone" when you return home? Will your dog be out there with her and be likely to look out for her?

Perhaps you could set up several "safe houses" at various points in the back yard where she could run for cover.

Very encouraging news about the mouse capture!

 

[azygous]

My chickens say they are jealous. No zucchini for them until July at the earliest.

 

[micstrachan]

Update:

RUBY WENT TO BED ON A ROOST TONIGHT!

She seems to be gaining strength on her own. I’m amazed. No free ranging time until after work. I did get some kefir for mixing in layer pellets, kale and hulled sunflower seeds (Ruby’s fave until this latest bout of illness). I’ll sprinkle surprises around the run tomorrow before I let them out.

So I have decided NOT to let her free range on her own. Thank you to all who offered advice, especially @Kris5902 on @BY Bob ‘s thread and @azygous, one of my mentors, for your ongoing support