Are probiotic / supplements necessary for my case?

Kai9

Hatching
Oct 1, 2024
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This is probably a dumb question but I have a flock of 7 hens (mix of Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth rocks) that are all about 8 months old now. I let them free range when I'm home from work up until it's time for them to sleep, and I keep them out all day during my days off. The current feed is a 16% egg layer feed from tractor supply. Occasionally I'll give them cut up kale and a scratch feed. Should I give them any supplements to everything they're getting now?

As a side note, I have one hen that has an eye issue which I'm currently trying to fix with some eye drops from the vet. I believe she's being bullied by one of the bigger Plymouths as I've seen her get chased around the yard at times and it's possible she got pecked. The poor girl tries to be part of the flock but she seems to herself a lot of the times and I don't know if she is afraid or what. When they're all back in the cage, I don't see her eating with the rest of the flock so I'm not sure she isn't getting all of her nutrients. I have hand fed her from the feed but I still feel like she might need more nutrients until her eye gets better.

So in general, should I get any supplements for them? If not, in the case of the injured hen, should I buy something for her?
 
Can you separate her for a few days to make sure she is eating? Or if you're afraid she will lose her place in the group, although it seems like she's already the low ranking hen, you could bring her in at night and feed her really well and put her back with the group during the day.

I have had a low ranking hen stop eating due to getting picked on.
Some alone time to make sure she ate got her appetite back and then she pushed her way in for food.

Also if her vision is affected she will be afraid of another chicken sneaking up on that side to pick on her.
 
Can you separate her for a few days to make sure she is eating? Or if you're afraid she will lose her place in the group, although it seems like she's already the low ranking hen, you could bring her in at night and feed her really well and put her back with the group during the day.

I have had a low ranking hen stop eating due to getting picked on.
Some alone time to make sure she ate got her appetite back and then she pushed her way in for food.

Also if her vision is affected she will be afraid of another chicken sneaking up on that side to pick on her.
Should I isolate her, or should I isolate the bully? In either case, would I put them back with the rest of the flock at night to roost or should I still keep them separated at night as well?
 
I would take her out and makes sure she eats a good bit of food to get her appetite going.

Then take the bully out and put her back with the group and see how she does.

Sometimes taking a bully or two out of the group for a few days resets the pecking order.
 

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