Hen not eating; no symptoms ):

[Wyorp Rock]

Amoxicillin dosage is 57mg per pound of weight given 2 times a day.

 

[Kneedles]

My hen did not improve yesterday. I forced her to eat four pellets of the Harrison's chilli pepper-infused feed, in case it would help.
This morning, she did not leave her roost by herself. I gave her one half of a Fish Mox Forte capsule after I took her out. Do I have to throw away the half that I do not use?

 

[cavemanrich]

I gave her one half of a Fish Mox Forte capsule after I took her out. Do I have to throw away the half that I do not use?

I'm not familiar with this medication, but suggest you save the remaining half for next time dose.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What do you have - 250mg or 500mg?
How much does your hen weigh?

No I would not throw away what you dumped out of the capsule. Dosing is mg per pound. We can help you with that if you need it.

 

[Kneedles]

What do you have - 250mg or 500mg?
How much does your hen weigh?

No I would not throw away what you dumped out of the capsule. Dosing is mg per pound. We can help you with that if you need it.

My hen weighs 2kg, which is apparently 4.4 pounds. I gave her half of one 500mg capsule, which was about 2/3 filled with the powder. Should I be doing something differently?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My hen weighs 2kg, which is apparently 4.4 pounds. I gave her half of one 500mg capsule, which was about 2/3 filled with the powder. Should I be doing something differently?

O.k.
That 57mg per pound is 125mg/kg so if she weighs 2kg that would be 250mg given twice a day.

The powder in the capsule would roughly be your 500mg of medication, that plastic capsule is just a dissolvable "container". So...dump out the capsule and mix all that powder in something "known" like 1 teaspoon of liverwurst or similar. Mix it well, then give her 1/2 teaspoon of the liverwurst in the morning, then the other 1/2 in the evening. Make sense?

 

[Eggcessive]

Is she starting a molt or getting close to one? Have your tried offering cooked egg, tuna, or wet chicken feed? Does she appear to be losing weight, or do she have any enlargement in her lower belly between her legs? Vitamins with electrolytes would be helpful until she is eating and drinking. Hope you can figure out what is going on.

 

[Kneedles]

Is she starting a molt or getting close to one? Have your tried offering cooked egg, tuna, or wet chicken feed? Does she appear to be losing weight, or do she have any enlargement in her lower belly between her legs? Vitamins with electrolytes would be helpful until she is eating and drinking. Hope you can figure out what is going on.

She is indeed moulting, but it isn't affecting her appearance and the new feathers are coming in quickly. Oddly enough, one of my other hens is also moulting and she looks terrible; her tail has lost its fullness and her neck is almost naked, but behaviourally she's doing fine.
I have not tried any of those foods on my sick hen recently, but I know that none of my hens have much interest in tuna. I will weigh her again when I next get the chance.
I did check her abdomen two days ago and it felt normal, but I will check it again, and I will start using Pedialyte on her tomorrow. Thank you for your help.

 

[Willowspirit]

You are approaching winter.yes? Could the lack of laying by all of your hens be related to shorter days? I wish you the best with this girl.

 

[Eggcessive]

Most of the sickness I have seen comes around a time of stress, especially during molting or during the coldest month of the year. The best thing is to just offer support, check for lice and mites, make sure that her crop is emptying overnight (look for a full and hard or puffy crop,) and that she is keeping hydrated.