Alternative to layer's pellets for sick chicken

[Lorielus]

It's unlikely she has a lot - it's likely an effect of her being compromised and not eating much as she gets vermx pellets regularly, apple cider vinegar in her water, and D-earth dusted food.

But I will ask the vet tomorrow about it (as far as I know, in the UK there are no spot-on solutions for worming except from a vet, only dietary controls).

 

[townchicks]

I'm so sorry to see that she passed. She was beautiful. You sure did your best for her, if that helps any.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Buy a 5 lb bag of either one of these (available at TSC) and feed as a wet mash. . .
My hens get it as a treat during hot weather (with cold water), to keep egg production up.
I also fed it to a hen with impacted crop a couple of years ago. She's still around at 41 months old.
Mix with room temperature water. GC

 

[cmom]

De-worm her. That's probably a good part of her problem.

 

[townchicks]

Eggs. Raw egg yolks, scrambled eggs, boiled eggs - whichever she prefers. Fage brand 2% fat yogurt. Sav-A-Chick probiotics & electrolytes in her water.

* Side note: higher protein feeds seem to be tastier, at least to my birds - while layer feed is usually 16% protein, all others will be more, ie Meatbird, Chick Starter, All Flock, Starter/Grower, etc.

I second all of this. Especially the side note. I just switched my girls to grower, as one is molting and the other looks to be starting. I mixed it with their layer to start, and they went berserk, picking out all the grower. I could tell because it is a slightly different color.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I thought I'd update this thread.

Unfortunately, Bo died last night. She had been kept in over the weekend for the vet to tube feed, with the plan being to drain her abdomen entirely and do an ultrasound and xray this morning, but her breathing got worse and worse, even on oxygen.

An autopsy revealed a tumour on her ovaduct that he thinks contributed to the yolks ending up in her abdomen, but also inflammation generally, including in her lung tissues.

She was an excellent chicken. Here she is last week, getting a bath to keep her clean while living inside, majestic and regal to the last.

View attachment 1903334

I'm sorry for your loss
It's good the vet was able to perform a necropsy and gather more information for you. Sadly, reproductive issues are frustratingly common in laying hens, but knowing the cause of decline does give you closure.