Broody Hen not eating or drinking

[tcfoster]

One of my sexlink hens has a tendency to go broody, but usually 3 days in the "broody box" - aka her own cage - snaps her out of it. This time however, she has been in isolation for 3 days and is not snapping out of it. She just lays there, won't eat or drink, and has bad diarrhea. Her comb is looking really dull and she just seems very listless, I'm sure because she has no energy. What else can I do to help her? I have been able to get her to eat a tiny bit of watermelon but that's really it. Thanks!

 

[chickengirl778]

Do you want her to hatch the eggs?
If not, try either breaking her of her broodiness or just constantly taking her out/locking her out and giving her healthy treats that are high in protein like tuna or chicken to make sure she stays healthy!

 

[tcfoster]

We don't have a rooster so no on the hatching! She doesn't have any eggs, she's in her own large cage so she can't get to the nesting boxes. I will give her some tuna though, thank you!

 

[bobbi-j]

One of my sexlink hens has a tendency to go broody, but usually 3 days in the "broody box" - aka her own cage - snaps her out of it. This time however, she has been in isolation for 3 days and is not snapping out of it. She just lays there, won't eat or drink, and has bad diarrhea. Her comb is looking really dull and she just seems very listless, I'm sure because she has no energy. What else can I do to help her? I have been able to get her to eat a tiny bit of watermelon but that's really it. Thanks!

Sounds to me like she may be sick instead of broody. The dull comb and diarrhea are not indicative of broodiness. I haven’t used it, but those who have say that poultry NutriDrench is good for sick chickens. Maybe look into that and give it a try.

 

[tcfoster]

I was a little afraid that she might be sick. I will definitely look into the NutriDrench, thank you. Any idea what it could be?

 

[bobbi-j]

I was a little afraid that she might be sick. I will definitely look into the NutriDrench, thank you. Any idea what it could be?

No idea whatsoever, sorry.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC...sorry you are having troubles.

Examine her belly closely, from below vent to between legs...is it swollen?
Compare to other birds.
Where are you located...is it really hot there??
If it is, give her some Sav-A-Chik electrolytes.

Please add your general geographical location to your profile so we know your climate.
It's easy to do and then it's always there!

 

[tcfoster]

Welcome to BYC...sorry you are having troubles.

Examine her belly closely, from below vent to between legs...is it swollen?
Compare to other birds.
Where are you located...is it really hot there??
If it is, give her some Sav-A-Chik electrolytes.

Please add your general geographical location to your profile so we know your climate.
It's easy to do and then it's always there!
View attachment 1410403

Thank you! I just updated my info. I am in the Sierra Nevada foothills in California. The temperature here has been in the 70s/80s for the last week or so. But it did go from cold spring weather to warm summery weather really quickly last week.
She doesn't seem swollen but very very warm. I took her out on the lawn this morning and she ate some yogurt, peaches, and a little bit of cat food. And I added some of the NutriDrench to her yogurt. She wouldn't drink any water though. She also had the most disgusting explosive poop I've ever experienced. She pecked around in the grass and laid in the sun for about 20 minutes before I put her back in her broody cage. She did perk up when she heard the baby silkies (they are in a different coop entirely) chirping. I'm wondering if I should just let her back with the other girls and see how she does? I'm worried she's depressed being stuck by herself, even though she's still in the coop.