Chicken Losing Weight

[slukeplass22]

The only scale I had was broken (but it got my weight correct), and, consequently I got 5 and 7lb readings. She probably weighed 8 lbs before her weight loss, even though she is a giant Orpington and the biggest chicken I've had. She's always been surprisingly light, never bulky, unlike my next two biggest chickens (a Sussex and Ameraucana hen) She weighed the same as my other massive Sussex. Buffy is thin though. Today she was more active and grazed more than yesterday - so that's a good sign. Maybe she knew the weathermen were calling for snow tomorrow.

 

[slukeplass22]

I've also continued the vitamins and gave her some oatmeal with a tiny amount of olive oil mixed in. I ground the oats into powder before adding water.

 

[slukeplass22]

I checked on her this morning and she feels a bit heavier (no abdomen issues). I later went to check on them (initially not wanting to let them out in the snow) and they all, including Buffy, ran out into the run. So I just let them be as the snow isn't sticking to the ground here. She's pretty active right now considering the circumstances, so for now I think I've got something going here. If anything changes I'll post an update.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you for the update. I agree with you, if she is active right now and seems to be doing o.k. I would leave her be, but just keep a watch on her.

LOL We have about 9" of snow right now, but most of my run is covered, so the girls are out and about - they are looking forlornly at the small sections that have snow - like it's going to kill them that they can't (won't) get to go to those corners - chickens just crack me up

Please keep us posted on how she's doing.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I haven't read anything that would indicate impacted crop. An impacted crop comes from an obstruction in either the crop itself, the esophagus or the proventriculus so that the crop can't clear. She is eating every day and the crop is clearing so it isn't impacted.
The question is whether she was always thin and you never noticed it before but do now because she may be molting.
A fully feathered bird could still be skinny but it isn't noticeable unless you pick the bird up and feel its keel and the rest of its structure.
If you check your birds condition from time to time and she is in fact significantly thinner than she was 6 months ago, the issue is likely parasites.
What organic means of worming have you been using?
If you are definitely not going to use a chemical wormer, I recommend this 2 step approach and follow the instructions completely.
http://www.fiascofarm.com/herbs/mollysherbals.php/categories/worm-formula-detailed-information
An extremely thin breast indicates lack of muscle which needs protein to make. In general, a fat chicken doesn't add fat anywhere but the abdominal cavity. Fat chickens don't lay well.

 

[junebuggena]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned, is she molting? Molting takes a lot of energy and most hens lose quite a bit of weight while molting. A high protein diet such as starter or flock raiser helps speed along their feather regrowth and helps them put weight back on once they've finished the molting process.

 

[BarredRockMom]

If you want to improve her weight in a healthy fashion, by building muscle rather than fat, then supplementing her with extra protein is the way to go. Eggs, canned (packed in water but rinsed anyway) Jack Mackerel, cook up an inexpensive fish fillet, give live crickets, live or freeze dried mealworms or even scraps of red meat (no fat). Hopefully she continues to improve & she seems to be on the right track.

 

[slukeplass22]

Update: It's been a week since I've mixed starter feed with her regular feed. There isn't any change in Buffy's weight, but she is as active as she was before. She's eating more hard boiled egg compared to last week. She's normal except for her being underweight (today she is a slight bit heavier but no major weight gains).

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Have you been weighing the hen in question?