Appetite stimulants for old injured hen?

[cate1124]

With her falling from the roost at night and now more depressive demeanor a stroke comes to mind which can happen at any age but is more prevalent in quite old chicken.

Maybe check her eyesight as it can get affected as well and adds to the loss of general interest in surroundings, food and social activities.

I had thought about a stroke, so thank you for also suggesting that. I don't see obvious neurological symptoms, but it's possible it's not just a leg injury -- which is why she is not improving -- and stroke might also account for depression and inappetence. She DOES benefit from being out in the coop with the others -- feels better than being caged, even in the coop with them -- so I am trying to provide that. As much as I don't want to force her to do anything, I am considering trying to syringe some applesauce with NutriDrench and/or B vit. Sort of a wild hope it would kickstart her natural appetite.

 

[LaFleche]

I had thought about a stroke, so thank you for also suggesting that. I don't see obvious neurological symptoms, but it's possible it's not just a leg injury -- which is why she is not improving -- and stroke might also account for depression and inappetence. She DOES benefit from being out in the coop with the others -- feels better than being caged, even in the coop with them -- so I am trying to provide that. As much as I don't want to force her to do anything, I am considering trying to syringe some applesauce with NutriDrench and/or B vit. Sort of a wild hope it would kickstart her natural appetite.

Has she ever had chicks? Ever gone broody or shown any kind of mothering instincts?

Sometimes it can help to give them a job, but at her advanced age she might just be on her way out.

I would just let her be and enjoy the company of her flock mates which may or may not help her start eating again.

 

[cate1124]

Has she ever had chicks? Ever gone broody or shown any kind of mothering instincts?

Sometimes it can help to give them a job, but at her advanced age she might just be on her way out.

I would just let her be and enjoy the company of her flock mates which may or may not help her start eating again.

Thanks. She has never had chicks nor gone broody. Before this happened, the sweet old girl was getting on the nest occasionally; just no eggs left to deliver! I do intend to have her with her flock as much as I can.

 

[townchicks]

Maybe some live mealworms, or earthworms might trigger her prey drive. I hope she perks up.

 

[Jesse Lee Turner]

First thing I think is, still not eating, maybe pain still too much.

Wondering what is her dose of Meloxicam?

Pain definitely messes with appetite, but so can dosing that’s too high - especially in older hens. It can irritate the stomach and make them feel worse rather than better. So if she’s getting, say, over 0.45mg/lb twice a day, it might be too much.

That said, not enough pain relief will also put her off her feed.

You're right to be concerned about inappetence. When a hen this age stops eating, it often means the body’s under a lot of stress. Sometimes it's pain, could also be internal bruising from fall, or even organ strain after a fall.

Here’s a few gentle ideas that might help:

Pain re-check: If she’s not more comfortable after a few days, maybe talk to the vet about adding a stomach protector (like sucralfate) or trying a tiny break in dosing to see if her appetite perks up.

Aromatics and warmth: Warm up her wet mash to body temp, and try poultry electrolytes in her water. Even things like warmed bone broth (no salt, no onion) can spark interest. Sometimes some stronger smells, a little garlic or a tiny amount of tuna can act as an appetite stimulant.

Energy first: Try a little sweet potato mash or baby food (meat varieties seem to work best). Sometimes older hens will go for soft textures if their joints are sore (and what the reason is, I can not say. Must be a chicken thing).

Hand-feed calmly: She might respond to being hand-fed just enough to trigger the hunger reflex again. This has worked for me before.

Leap not quickly to a pharma appetite stimulant. If something is as yet undetected an she can't eat, an appetite stimulant can make her just a bit uncomfortable when one instinct to not eat right off meets pharma impulse to eat.

I know the worry when an old lady hen goes quiet. If she’s still got that spark in her eye, she may yet rally once the pain is under better control.

Prayers for Charlotte from Jesse Lee Turner.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I've been offering NutriDrench in water, but she is not drinking.

My hens will turn up their beaks at water with NutriDrench. Maybe she doesn't like that taste.

I'd offer plain water or some electrolytes (my hens like Electrolytes!).

Do the best you can. Something tempting like bits of tomato or watermelon will also give interest and a bit of hydration as well.

With her age, she may be in a slow decline. Hopefully she'll pull out of this.

 

[cate1124]

Meloxicam might be irritating her digestive system. If that may be the case you might want to stop it, and see if she starts eating. Thiamine in human B complex tablets can help stimulate appetite. NutriDrench has some, but 1/4 tablet B complex tablets can be crushed into a bit of moist chicken feed or egg. It is a cheaper alternative. Here is a good price:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Spring-V...MIi4XxvZLQjQMV4ffjBx3pdQUXEAQYASABEgKX_PD_BwE

Maybe some live mealworms, or earthworms might trigger her prey drive. I hope she perks up.

Thank you; that's a good idea. I'll dig around for some earthworms, as we've had quite a bit of rain. Yesterday, she seemed more interested in food; today, again not. This is a difficult rollercoaster, between the injury and inappetence. She's been off meloxicam for several days, and I initially thought her appetite was returning. But it seems not. The injury is one thing, and a serious one, but it should not be keeping her from eating.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would feel of her crop early in the morning before she eats and drinks. If it is empty, you could try tube feeding her or try torpedo feeding. Torpedo feeding is basically taking chicken crumbles, grinding them with egg in a blender and drops of water to shape into a torpedo. Then pop a small one into her beak, so that she swallows it. Offer water after each feeding. Recheck her crop morning and evening.

 

[cate1124]

I would feel of her crop early in the morning before she eats and drinks. If it is empty, you could try tube feeding her or try torpedo feeding. Torpedo feeding is basically taking chicken crumbles, grinding them with egg in a blender and drops of water to shape into a torpedo. Then pop a small one into her beak, so that she swallows it. Offer water after each feeding. Recheck her crop morning and evening.

I appreciate the suggestion, truly, but do not want to force feed her, and there is no popping anything into her beak without holding and forcing her, injured leg and all. I thought her appetite had improved yesterday, with time passing since her last dose of Meloxicam; today, it's again pretty much absent. She may not be eating because of an internal injury also caused by the (presumed) fall.

Also, I do not know at this point how much mobility she will recover, and that raises a quality-of-life issue. I'm trying hard here to step back, consider her age and the seriousness of this situation. It's really hard, but I think it's best left to her to recover or not, with every support and encouragement I can offer. (She is thoroughly sick of me following her around, placing food and water right next to her. She typically gets up and stumbles away.) I will make torpedoes and offer to see if she'll take voluntarily; I'd never heard of them!

 

[cate1124]

My hens will turn up their beaks at water with NutriDrench. Maybe she doesn't like that taste.

I'd offer plain water or some electrolytes (my hens like Electrolytes!).

Do the best you can. Something tempting like bits of tomato or watermelon will also give interest and a bit of hydration as well.

With her age, she may be in a slow decline. Hopefully she'll pull out of this.

Thank you. I've offered both ND water and plain; will try electrolytes tomorrow. You would not believe the bounty of treats I have offered, including tomato, grapes, strawberries, brown rice, cornmeal mush, egg, hamburger, earthworm, sunflower chips. Dampened mash, of course. She will get up and stumble away from me when I approach with plates and water. I briefly considered force-feeding, but with significant recovery from lameness uncertain, not knowing the cause of her not eating (internal injury?) and her age, I've had to ask myself what I'd be saving her life for, assuming that measure would work. I hate it, but I think this is her call. Maybe she knows what she's doing on a long, rollercoaster road to recovery. Or maybe she simply can't.