Did I get dealt a crap hand or….?

[CraziChknLady]

I'm so sorry to hear you going through this and totally understand! I also think I got "duds" when I purchased 8 at an auction. They were ok for a few months, then it was the year of hell. Mites, respiratory problems, coccidiosis, vitamin deficiencies, lash eggs, etc. You name it, I think I went through it. Ultimately, they turned into a Mycoplasma positive flock ( that's a whole other story).

The best advice I can give is to weigh the pros and cons. Ultimately, you will need to decide what you are willing to do as well as what your end goal is. And also consider the resources, time and money.

1. Can you cull the 2 that are sick but keep the remaining ones you have?

2. Re-home all.

3. Keep all and let them pass naturally.

There are of course other options. Although the stress of it is horrible too. It's not fun and no other way to put it as "It just sucks". Do what you think is best for you and your family.

I personally wouldn't spend any money on the implant if it's only going to help for , 2-5 months. And sadly, depending on the reproductive issue, the hen could get better, or sadly never lay again. I've heard it both ways. I do believe that hatcheries can have duds sometimes, but also think they only breed for numbers and not quantity/ health. I'd rather have a handful of 10 very healthy robust birds than 20-40 duds that all due off within 1-2 yrs.

I'm sorry you have to go through this. It's not easy.

 

[Dynamissa]

The one girl we drained (a 1.5lb runt buff Orpington) 300ml from looks okay but she will not eat her feed and will not drink water. She flips her head any time she touches water so I’ve been keeping her hydrated with blueberries… I’ve run through a thousand foods to feed her and keep her weight up and she slowly is eliminating every one.

Right now, I am gut loading dubia roaches because she prefers live prey. But it’s not sustainable forever and I don’t know if she’ll ever snap out of it. She’s hungry, yes but never touches the feed, even if it’s wetted. She ate boiled chicken thighs, scrambled eggs briefly but refuses them now. I know she’s not getting proper nutrition.

The one girl who is molting passed a double yolked shelless egg that I had to slowly Pull the rest of the way out, but she is otherwise fine. She was xrayed and palpated and despite the insanity with her eggs, isn’t carrying anything strange.

Ugh I’m just exhausted

 

[CraziChknLady]

The one girl we drained (a 1.5lb runt buff Orpington) 300ml from looks okay but she will not eat her feed and will not drink water. She flips her head any time she touches water so I’ve been keeping her hydrated with blueberries… I’ve run through a thousand foods to feed her and keep her weight up and she slowly is eliminating every one.

Right now, I am gut loading dubia roaches because she prefers live prey. But it’s not sustainable forever and I don’t know if she’ll ever snap out of it. She’s hungry, yes but never touches the feed, even if it’s wetted. She ate boiled chicken thighs, scrambled eggs briefly but refuses them now. I know she’s not getting proper nutrition.

The one girl who is molting passed a double yolked shelless egg that I had to slowly Pull the rest of the way out, but she is otherwise fine. She was xrayed and palpated and despite the insanity with her eggs, isn’t carrying anything strange.

Ugh I’m just exhausted

Ughh poor babies! I bet you are! Try making plain oatmeal and mixing with eggs? I would sprinkle mealworms on top. I used to do a dropper full of electrolytes and vitamins too. I also tried scratch grain or the kalmbach henhouse reserve as a topper with reg food I had watered down to a mush.

Sadly when they get to the point where they no longer eat or drink though, makes it extremely difficult.

 

[Janj76]

I would other protein while they are molting and also add hen helper or some type of vitamins to their water daily. You may also want to work them. Good luck!!

 

[Janj76]

I would other protein while they are molting and also add hen helper or some type of vitamins to their water daily. You may also want to work them. Good luck!!

I meant up their protein. I feed a 22% mini pellet when mine are molting.