Help! My hen has stopped drinking any water and has barely eaten for 3 weeks.

[BugStalker]

I once had a dehydrating chicken that wouldn't drink water I gave her in a bowl, but I accidentally spilled some on a magazine, and she drank it up. I started giving her water in yogurt lids and plates, instead.

Some birds with sour crop don't like to drink ACV water, because their crop is already acid. They may drink baking soda or electrolyte water better, because it tends to be more alkaline. They probably shouldn't be on it long-term though.

I'm not sure about some of the ingredients you posted in the cream, so can't really recommend using them.


BTW, I think the green/yellow from liver problems was due to eating plants and protein, when their body wasn't able to digest protein very well. I think it can also happen with high-protein diets and healthy livers.

 

[amyduck]

@Weeg I re-read and I don't see anything regarding OP and ducks, just chickens.

How I understood it, was since I was worried about introducing another chicken because of Mareks, that maybe a duck could keep Penny company because they don't get Mareks!

 

[amyduck]

Here's the article again for treating the crop.
She's an adult hen, so give her 2 teaspoons coconut oil daily. That's in addition to the yeast medication.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Safeguard (Fenbendazole) is dosed by weight, not by peas. Dose is 0.23ml per pound of weight given orally once a day for 5 days in a row.

Hope she gets better soon.

Thanks so much for spelling the amounts out, I'll also re-read that article, I was reading so much this afternoon, I clearly missed that. But I gave her extra coconut oil tonight so that's good to know. She's already gone to roost, but I will measure these and follow the dosing in the morning.

 

[amyduck]

I once had a dehydrating chicken that wouldn't drink water I gave her in a bowl, but I accidentally spilled some on a magazine, and she drank it up. I started giving her water in yogurt lids and plates, instead.

Some birds with sour crop don't like to drink ACV water, because their crop is already acid. They may drink baking soda or electrolyte water better, because it tends to be more alkaline. They probably shouldn't be on it long-term though.

Yes, before having her come to the house tonight, I put out a large flat black lid, hoping she'd stop for a drink! It didn't work, but I'll definitely put it out tomorrow. I'll probably also water so she can drink off of the grass and leaves.
For the water lid, how much baking soda would you add to the water? I've already been including electrolytes... Would you still include the ACV? Or is that instead of the ACV?

 

[amyduck]

If you have a 100x microscope, you can smear some into a drop of water on a slide and look for oocysts or worms. That method won't rule out internal parasites, but can confirm them, and is easier than floating.

@BugStalker my neighbor has a microscope! I'm going to see if I can see anything, since I hate to give her the dewormer if it might not be necessary, so if there is something, I'll feel better about it... but I'm also just curious.... I'm a bio major, but it's been some time.
edit: I just tried to google it, but if looks like if I want to do a float, I need to get some sodium nitrate...or the eggs will burst with water... have you actually done it? Or can I just look at the dropping under the microscope without water? I'm going to have to collect some in the morning... Thanks.

 

[Weeg]

@Weeg I re-read and I don't see anything regarding OP and ducks, just chickens.

I know. I was never suggesting Op has ducks. I was suggesting she could get ducks for her current hen as friends since they aren't susceptible to Mareks disease. Then she wouldn't have to worry about finding adult birds that are vaccinated.
Its typically not recommended the two species live together, but I do it without any issues. I actually find that chickens and ducks make fantastic friends.

 

[Weeg]

Also going to add, I agree with everything that other members are suggesting. I would have helped more, but have been out of town. Glad that your able to get some help with your hen, I'll be following and rooting for her!

 

[Goosebaby]

I’m not very knowledgeable with chickens, “waterfowl are my thing” but based on the initial description, her prior history of obesity, and the droppings it sounds like she may have fatty liver disease.


Whatever the cause I hope she’ll be alright.

 

[amyduck]

I’m not very knowledgeable with chickens, “waterfowl are my thing” but based on the initial description, her prior history of obesity, and the droppings it sounds like she may have fatty liver disease.


Whatever the cause I hope she’ll be alright.

Thanks Goosebaby - I had a hen that died of it about 2 years ago, so I guess that's possible... even though i've improved their diet...and the most recent chicken that died didn't have it...
That said, the hen that had it, died very suddenly, I guess her liver hemorrhaged Is there anything that can be done to reverse fatty liver disease? At this point, with how little she has eaten, she's probably used up all her fat reserves!

 

[amyduck]

Also going to add, I agree with everything that other members are suggesting. I would have helped more, but have been out of town. Glad that your able to get some help with your hen, I'll be following and rooting for her!

Thanks Weeg!