I’m really desperate, my chicken won’t eat!

[ejtrout31]

How does her crop feel

 

[ejtrout31]

Is it hard or lumpy

 

[emmagat]

Can you post some close ups of the face, stool, full body pics, and put tape on the mites and pull it off and take a picture. I might be more help then.

 

[emmagat]

Is it hard or lumpy

Also her crop feels a little lumpy, but I think it’s the small amount of grain she ate. I got her to eat a little bit, so at least she’s not completely starving, but she’s definitely not eating a normal amount. The rooster eats like he’s eating a nice piece of chocolate cake, she eats like she’s eating brussels sprouts. Her appetite just isn’t really there.

 

[emmagat]

Yes, I think you should be able to find at most feed stores, although I’ve only ever bought online or at TSC. You could also try poultry cell.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/nutri-drench-poultry-4-oz Or https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/rooster-booster-poultry-cell-16-oz

Thank you!!

 

[cmom]

I recommend Permethrin spray for the mites. Most feed stores such as Tractor Supply carries both the ready to spray and the concentrate that you mix with water. You can spray the birds when thy are roosting, but carefully without getting it in their faces Spray inside their coops spraying every crack and crevice, on and under the roosts, inside and out side the nest boxes, ceiling , walls, everything. I had mites for the first time ever this past summer and the birds were terrible. I initially sprayed weekly and eventually got rid of the mites but the birds looked terrible. Now the birds are now looking much better and no more mites. I actually gave the birds flea baths thinking it might kill the mites and it did some but there were a few after the baths. The mites can feed the life out of the birds if not treated.

 

[emmagat]

I recommend Permethrin spray for the mites. Most feed stores such as Tractor Supply carries both the ready to spray and the concentrate that you mix with water. You can spray the birds when thy are roosting, but carefully without getting it in their faces Spray inside their coops spraying every crack and crevice, on and under the roosts, inside and out side the nest boxes, ceiling , walls, everything. I had mites for the first time ever this past summer and the birds were terrible. I initially sprayed weekly and eventually got rid of the mites but the birds looked terrible. Now the birds are now looking much better. The mites can feed the life out of the birds if not treated.
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Yeah I hate mites, they make the chickens suffer so badly. I got permethrin dust, would that do the same job or would spray be better? I've noticed little hard mite stuff on the feathers under their chins, but it's too dark right now to take a picture and they are too fidgety for bedtime.

 

[cmom]

I personally prefer the spray. The mites can hide in the cracks and crevices in the coops so just dusting the birds may help but spraying inside the coops kill the mites but it does not the kill the mite eggs so a thorough spraying is needed with followup sprays so when the mite eggs hatch they will be killed too. Just my opinion.

 

[MissChick@dee]

To properly check her crop you need to feel it first thing in the morning. It should be empty. Then offer food & water.
Sometimes chickens will just go thru the motions of eating but actually are not.
A full crop (depends on size of breed) should be aprox. The size of a
Ping pong ball. You should be able to gently massage it. If she is not eating and her crop is rock hard she might have an obstruction. I like to use coconut oil Because you can chill it and make a
Pea sized ball but really any oil will do. You can give oil and massage the crop to loosen it up. You can also use a NON stimulating laxative. I like the jell caps. I just squeeze it directly into the beak.
Some of the foods my chickens absolutely never turn Down is tuna and shredded cooked chicken breast. Both are high in protein. I would wait on the yogurt. Sometimes it can cause diarrhea and that’s very dehydrating to the hens system. Keeping her hydrated at this point is so important. I had a Roo with continuous crop problems. What worked for me was to pour water (gently) overjust the tip of his beak. He’d shake his head. He’d protest but after a while he just started lapping it up. Once he figured it out we were good to go. Please do your best to hydrate her. Best wishes

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Have you any idea what previous owner fed? Some are Extremely finicky about changing feed. Cooked egg is rarely refused.
FYI they can't have been treated nor tested for Mareks as there isn't a treatment nor test, only after they die can Mareks be confirmed.