Budgie Seed

[Farmz246]

Agree. @Farmz246 , were the budgie seeds, porridge, and grapes just things you tried when she refused the pellets, or do you consider those to be "feed".

These were a "let's get some food in her because she seems to be losing weight"

 

[Peppercorngal]

These were a "let's get some food in her because she seems to be losing weight"

If she is being pecked on and stays away from the others you should add two more feeding stations. That way she will be able to eat without being bothered. I suggest buying 10 lb feeders and have them in various places (maybe even outside the run/coop area) so she feels safe enough to eat. You can hang the feeder or simply put it on the ground, they are easily movable. I have them and love them!

 

[Peppercorngal]

No treats. They all get feed in the morning, then roam around the yard eating grass, leaves, bugs. Then they get fed again in the evening before being shut up in the coops for the night.

Not molting.

They should always have access to chicken food. All day every day, they are not dogs they won't overeat. The only time they don't need to have access to food is at night. I have food in the run areas and when the door is open (all day) they can still return to eat at any time. I'd love to see photos of your girls!

 

[Farmz246]

They should always have access to chicken food. All day every day, they are not dogs they won't overeat. The only time they don't need to have access to food is at night. I have food in the run areas and when the door is open (all day) they can still return to eat at any time. I'd love to see photos of your girls!

Problem with me leaving food out all day long, is that in no time flat, I have fed all the pigeons in the area, and my chickens are still hungry.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Problem with me leaving food out all day long, is that in no time flat, I have fed all the pigeons in the area, and my chickens are still hungry.

I don't know what to tell you about pigeons. I do know that your girl is at the bottom of the pecking order and that is why she is not eating, she is afraid of the other girls. Is your run covered? My run is completely enclosed and I leave the food out but don't have problems with birds because they don't understand doors! If you have somewhere like a shed with a small door you can put the food in there and a second location so all the girls can eat during the day. They really do need to have access to food! You will need to be creative, put the food in a dog crate? I don't know. Good Luck!

 

[chkva]

As a last ditch effort to get her to eat something, after her not really eating for about a week, I gave her some budgie seed.

She has always been quite timid around the other girls as she is a bit of a runt compared to the other three. They quite often chase her. She tends to be a bit of a loner. She is walking around, and scratching, but for the most part, she's staying still in shaded areas, and she seems to be slightly hunched (not fully extending her neck when compared to the others.)

How many feeding stations do you have? She might be too timid to eat around the others if there are not enough feeding stations.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have 4 Red Stars that are about 32 weeks old. All four were eating well laying fine.
However last week, one of the four refuses to touch

I disagree with the others suggestion that it's suddenly pecking order causing issue at this stage. I also disagree that chickens need to have feed available all day... and think your routine is fine! We all have different situations and set up and what works for one may not work for another. Thankfully we have this forum where we can come together and share our experiences!

What I suggest is putting her in a quiet dark location where you can monitor her intake, output, AND her crop function and feel. Maybe at night after roost and return to the flock in the morning. Don't keep her separated pout of sight of the flock for too long because then pecking order can become an issue. Get a good look at vent. Chickens won't die from starvation, but dehydration can be deadly fast so pay attention if she is drinking. Remove food overnight and check crop feel again in the morning for comparison..

how does her crop feel right now? Is it flat, full, hard, soft, doughie? Any fowl smell?

If you are able to take a fecal sample to the vet for a float they will check for internal parasite load.

If you think something is off.. you are likely correct. So let's try and get her assessed!

 

[Peppercorngal]

Chickens won't die from starvation

I strongly disagree with your language here. The definition of Starvation means "death by hunger". I don't think you meant to use the word you used. You must be meaning something else. ????

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I strongly disagree with your language here. The definition of Starvation means "death by hunger". I don't think you meant to use the word you used. You must be meaning something else. ????

I meant a chicken isn't going to die from starvation over night or because you with hold snacks... when they are acting picky about the feed you are offering them. If a chicken is hungry... it eats when food is available.. and for the OP that maybe there is more going on and further research into WHY said chicken is SUDDENLY not eating.

What I meant is that the chicken not eating is a symptom of something else and the OP should probably not worry so much about getting feed in and more so about hydration and monitoring the situation for more clues like droppings and such.

It was meant as a statement relevant to the discussion at hand and not a blanket statement that chickens "can't" die from starvation. Of course they can. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I meant a chicken isn't going to die from starvation over night or because you with hold snacks... when they are acting picky about the feed you are offering them. If a chicken is hungry... it eats when food is available.. and for the OP that maybe there is more going on and further research into WHY said chicken is SUDDENLY not eating.

What I meant is that the chicken not eating is a symptom of something else and the OP should probably not worry so much about getting feed in and more so about hydration and monitoring the situation for more clues like droppings and such.

It was meant as a statement relevant to the discussion at hand and not a blanket statement that chickens "can't" die from starvation. Of course they can. Sorry for any confusion.

Thank you for clarifying your language. It can be interpreted in a manner that you do not mean! Like when people say they were "electrocuted" when they touched a wire. No, they got a shock, electrocution means you are dead! Anyway the OP said the hen did not eat for a week, not over night. You can't blame her for giving treats in that situation. And if the chicken ate the treats, chances are that the problem is not a medical one with the chicken. It's either spoiled with treats or harassed by the other hens. I would suggest start with the easy (put a second feeding station), and have food available when they free range, and if it does not work go for the hard. Meaning all that other medical type stuff. Like you said the chicken won't starve over night! It's all good.