how much feed is enough?

[getreal]

I have 2 1 year old silkies house bound because they can't use their legs. the one eats on her own in a seat I made for her. but the other has quit eating on his own. I am worried he is not eating enough. does anyone know what the normal amount would be in a day. if I hold him and put the dish under his beak, he will eat. he is very thin. I have been trying everything I can think of to add more protein but nothing is appealing to him. they are both on a vitamin regime and silver.

 

[teach1rusl]

From what I've read, as standard sized hen will eat about 1/4 pound of feed per day. So I'd think a silkie would eat about 2 ounces of feed - you'd have to weigh your feed to see how much that equates to. But if your bird is sick or injured, then he probably won't eat much, as most animals go off their feed when sick (just as you probably don't feel hungry enough to eat when you are sick or in pain).

Do you know what is wrong with your birds???

 

[getreal]

From what I've read, as standard sized hen will eat about 1/4 pound of feed per day. So I'd think a silkie would eat about 2 ounces of feed - you'd have to weigh your feed to see how much that equates to. But if your bird is sick or injured, then he probably won't eat much, as most animals go off their feed when sick (just as you probably don't feel hungry enough to eat when you are sick or in pain).

Do you know what is wrong with your birds???

from what I have been able to piece together it might be wry neck. someone suggested Mereks but they don't have all the symptoms. they don't act sick or in pain. they just can't control their legs and when you get them upright their heads go down and their butts are in the air. then they fall over to their side like in slow motion.

 

[teach1rusl]

It seems very odd that two birds would get wry neck within a few days of one another though... Here's an article I found on wry neck. Interestingly, it mentions that wry neck can be a symptom of Marek's. Have you been giving them Vitamin E as part of trying to treat them?

http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2014/04/preventing-and-treating-wry-neck-in.html

 

[getreal]

Yes they get vit E, D (with calcium), B12 complex, folic acid, selinium, and silver. Plus probiotics in the water. I also supplement their protein with either cat food, tuna or eggs, along with their chick crumbles. they did not develop it at the same time. the first one was in Nov 2015 and the second one was a few weeks ago.