Chicken with little appetite

zivaC · Feb 24, 2014

Hi everyone,

I posted last week about my baby girl Fluffy (she's actually a 2 year old Isa Brown but she's my baby!) who was looking awful and I actually thought I was going to lose her. She had strained breathing, lethargy and a swollen belly. I took her straight to the vets who put her on calcium and gave her strong antibiotics, and I'm pleased to say she has improved a lot since that awful day. Her swelling has gone down and she's now back to her usual curious self, she loves walking around the garden pecking on grass and insects and chasing the younger Leghorn hens away

But ever since all that happened, her appetite has not returned to what it was when she was healthy and well. She is the type of hen that would jump on you if you're carrying a plate of food so she can get to it- she loves her food! But now, she barely pecks at whatever you put her, she'll nibble a tiny bit then just walk off. I've put her a huge variety of food and the most she will have is a few pecks. She's definitely much better now in terms of health, but I still don't understand why I can't get her to eat more! She's currently 2.1kg and still on her antibiotics which is Amoxycillin + Claviulanic acid. Her poop is runny and dark green, with a bit of white/yellow in it.
I'm just worried about her not eating anyone tell me what I can do for her? How can I get her to eat more?

farmtotable · Feb 24, 2014

Personally I would wait until she's off the antibiotics to worry about her. Those are pretty strong drugs for a chicken's system (and something totally not found in nature!!!), so she's more than likely off her feed because of them. I rarely take antibiotics for the same reason - I can't eat anything and keep it down while I'm on them. (And I'm allergic to almost all of them, but anyway, I have to be hurting pretty bad before I'll take anything like that). Tempt her with healthy treats, like scrambled eggs, but I wouldn't worry too much if she's not hungry yet! That's more than likely what's causing the runny poop, again, you're giving her something her system wouldn't naturally encounter. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against antibiotics (if they're used properly), but they're not natural so it's not shocking that it's causing her system to revolt.

chrisrow · Feb 24, 2014

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foreverlearning · Feb 24, 2014

I agree give it some time. She has just been threw a big shock and on meds that would make me feel blue. I am glad she is doing better! You should see improvement in eating in a day or two after she comes off the meds. Keep doing what you are doing, if you are still having this problem after or she looses a lot of weight let us know and we'll try to help. Sometimes waiting is the hardest part.

zivaC · Feb 25, 2014

Thank you @farmtotable and @foreverlearning for replying to me! Your comments were really helpful - I feel much more at ease now. She has a couple of days left of her antibiotics, so will see how she goes when she's done.
I really care about chickens, and although most people don't understand why or how, it is really true that they are very intelligent and loveable little things! They do deserve for us to at least try to save them from illness when we can. Thanks for your support! I shall let you know what happens

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Chicken with little appetite

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