HELP.. chicken is skin and bones

[Bogtown Chick]

I just reread and you said this place was a family farm. I would consider them a breeder. Not a hatchery. I don’t know what their goals are however. Show birds? Or just being wholesome provider of fuzzy chicken love? I think the latter... lol. But maybe a call to them would get you an average hen weight on their barred rocks.

 

[MLG1900]

Just wanted to post an update on my hen. She continues to eat and drink. Still has Diarrhea. Weight is currently 3.6 pounds. So she is either the same or maybe up 2 oz. Her initial weights were a bit sketchy (3pounds or 3.4 pounds)but I have it down to a science now. Her feet are also still infected but I think the infection is getting better. I am still draining bloody pus from them. I try to do this after a soak and then apply drawing salve and then wrap them in gauze and vet wrap. Giving fish mox and fish zole still. I think the best sign is that I found her up on the roost tonight with the rest of the hens!!!

 

[lissalischicks]

@MLG1900 I am glad to hear she is doing better!!!! Good job on taking care of her and it makes me happy to know your girl is going in the right direction as well!

My girl Pepper is doing better too. I am a little disappointed with the weight gain. Since Saturday she has gained 0.1ounce. I am not sure how fast of gaining weight is normal but I was hoping for a little more. The good thing is she has way more energy. She is still having diarrhea though

So now I know the difference between what a hatchery and breeder is ... it makes more sense to me. I have 2 orpingtons (one buff and one black) and the black is twice the size of the orpington. I got the black one from a breeder and the buff from the family farm. I think I would consider them between a hatchery and breeder... maybe more hatchery but they free range their birds ...

Pepper is from that farm but obviously still very skinny now matter which weight size I use. Lol she knew I was going to weigh her today and kept giving me dirty looks.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Lol. Can’t take time out of her day for weigh ins Lissa. Too much to do chookin’ the yard.

If you have the safegaurd and want to see if worming makes a difference...idk. Fretted feathers aren’t a huge deal. And there is some question as to if the safegaurd does it. Valbazen for sure has noted the issue.

Another thing you could try is making fermented feed. My birds put on weight with this technique. It is wetted bird feed with a splash of apple cider vinegar to start it. Let it set for 3 days. Serve to the chickens. It smells like yeast and bread dough. It’s a little messy but the birds really thrive on it. There is a multitude of threads on byc about it.

 

[lissalischicks]

Another update! Pepper is still having diarrhea but I saw her pooping solid poop today and looks like less diarrhea! I think she is on the mend. If she still has diarrhea after the molt finishes I will definitely do the safegaurd. I don't mind the fretted feathers as long as she is alive. Her feathers are coming in nicely and she is more active and even pushing her way in with the other girls to get some treats!

 

[MLG1900]

Glad to hear she is doing better!

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Chickens will have a loser poop called a Cecal poop coming from another part of the intestine. It is runny, smelly and ranges in color from tan to tar. Those are normal. Is it like that? Or definite wateriness.

So glad to hear of her progress. Worming her would not hurt now. Those feathers look brand new and spiffy. I’d say she’s ready for worming.

 

[lissalischicks]

No not cecal poop. Lol I know that one. I learned what type that one was fast. I can smell it from a mile away and I always feel they lay one right next to me when I'm out with them. It's diarrhea but now she more solid pieces in it. Ok I'll start her deworm process tomorrow.

 

[lissalischicks]

anyone know how had is the deworming process on a chicken? Pepper was doing well and a few days after starting deworming. She looks frail and by the end of day just sits around a lot. She started hiding in the nesting box towards the end of the day. She was doing really well. She also lost come weight and is not back down to 2.6 ounces. She is doing the fermented feed and seems to be eating a lot. But will she be okay for the second dose on Saturday? Is this normal?

 

[WhiteWyan]

Just found this thread, I posted on your other one.

I hope Pepper is okay!
I wish I knew more about deworming. I've never done it.
Did you ever get a stool sample tested?