help with broody plz

[alucard]

Guy I recently bought a broody hen from a guy I put 4 eggs under her after 21 day 2 of them hatched I candled the others and they were rotten the chicks are in perfect shape but the mama hen is not eating she only picks up food and puts it on the ground for her chicks I tried every thing for her but she won't eat then I gave her some spinich she only ate little when I tried to hand feed her. she drinks water and is active though and her poop is also fine but she is becoming weaker and lighter i can feel very little food(spinich) in her crop. is it normal for the hen to eat little during chicks raising ? guys I am so worried for her what should I do plz help. Some pics

 

[krista74]

She should be eating. It's totally normal for her to feed her chicks first, but she should be eating afterwards. It's not good if she is getting lighter now.

I see you have her in a little nest there. Where is the nest situated? In a house, a shed, or a coop?

Just wondering if you might be able to put it in a small pen outside for a bit, or somewhere where there is a dirt floor? The change of environment, along with some tasty treats, might tempt her to scratch about a bit and stimulate her appetite.

Also, I just wanted to check you actually removed those bad eggs? Sometimes hens refuse to leave the nest if there are still eggs there. They don't all understand they won't hatch if they're bad.

Good luck!

- Krista

 

[alucard]

I had her nest in my store its cold outside so I decided to put her inside. Yesterday day I took her to my lawn and put some game bird feed in the dirt but she would only feed her chicks eating little or non herself she is very devoted I have heard that asils r the best mothers but god she is into it like a mad one.I have tried some boiled eggs for her but she wouldn't even touch it I am concerned about her protein intake.I can feel very little in her crop but she is very active and protective of her chicks .the only thing she would eat is raw spinich very little of it three to four leaves when hand fed as far as the other eggs r concerned I took them away from her yesterday.

 

[krista74]

Maybe something else could tempt her?

Yoghurt?

Some cheese?

Bacon? (Yes, it's salty but still a good source of protein.)

Spaghetti Bolognese? (My Momma Hen loved it, and after I cut the noodles up into small bits she fed little pieces to the babies too!)

Porridge?

Scrambled eggs?

Those are just a few ideas. Obviously these are not long term foods she should be eating a lot of, but if you're looking to build her up they may be tempting to her.

Good luck,

- Krista

 

[alucard]

God I just examined her poop there are worms in it what do I do will the chucks get worm too what should I use plz help

 

[krista74]

Ok, well that, combined with sitting on a nest of eggs for weeks and then hatching chicks, will definitely be contributing to her weight loss.

I'm not sure where you are located, but if you're in the US the brand everyone seems to rave about is called Valbazen. We can't get that here in Australia, but from what I hear on the BYC grapevine, you can buy it at local feed and rural stores and it treats all types of worms.

It should have directions on the label stating how much to give, and wether or not it's suitable for chicks. Certainly, chicks can get worms too.

Worming should be repeated every 3 to 6 months - as they say, prevention is better than cure.

Don't panic! It's treatable, and hopefully she will make a full recovery.

Best wishes,

- Krista

 

[alucard]

i cant find words to thank. u guys r the best i think this medicine is available here i will ask a vet for dosage

 

[krista74]

It's a pleasure.

I hope she makes a fast recovery for you.

Please keep us updated.

- Krista