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

[emmagat]

bread softened in water or maybe some milk is good, scrambled eggs, tomatoes are good for perking them up I've heard because of the sugars in them, maybe a little molassas to give her some energy. Chickens love cheese too, but don't give them too much dairy because it will give them runny poops.

I also love cheese

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So is she eating now or not?

 

[Wickedchicken6]

View attachment 1622676 View attachment 1622678 View attachment 1622679 View attachment 1622680 View attachment 1622681 View attachment 1622682 View attachment 1622683 View attachment 1622684 View attachment 1622685

The first thing I notice is that her pupils seem quite dialated, despite the lighting. Do her pupils react to light at all?

You mention vision problems. How limited is this hen's vision? Is it possible she is blind or almost blind? Has she been like this from the start when you acquired them or did this develop later?

Second; you mention further on that she isn't eating but drinking. It's important that she begins to eat, but it's extremely important to get electrolytes with vitamins for poultry into her system. If she is drinking, I'm wondering if it's not more pertinent to add this to her water so she gets immediate uptake.

I also agree that getting a complete food like chick starter as @Wyorp Rock suggested is the best food to get her eating since it is fortified with what she requires in her diet when she is this vulnerable state. Checking the crop and finding out if it is working properly is also important. Until she is fully functional and eating, that's where access to electrolytes and vitamins is important to give her energy and balance so she isn't deficient.

When was she treated for coccidiosis? Immediately or later on? Is she still being treated?

 

[emmagat]

So is she eating now or not?

She is eating slowly, she seems to like all the treats better than the grain though so I mixed grain into eggs and applesauce for her. She is still pretty perky, and her energy is a little higher now. Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She is eating slowly, she seems to like all the treats better than the grain though so I mixed grain into eggs and applesauce for her. She is still pretty perky, and her energy is a little higher now. Thank you so much for your help!

Do you provide a nutritionally balanced poultry feed like chick starter, flock raiser or layer feed?
What are the grains that you feed her?
Does she have a source of poultry grit (crushed granite)?

 

[emmagat]

The first thing I notice is that her pupils seem quite dialated, despite the lighting. Do her pupils react to light at all?

You mention vision problems. How limited is this hen's vision? Is it possible she is blind or almost blind? Has she been like this from the start when you acquired them or did this develop later?

Second; you mention further on that she isn't eating but drinking. It's important that she begins to eat, but it's extremely important to get electrolytes with vitamins for poultry into her system. If she is drinking, I'm wondering if it's not more pertinent to add this to her water so she gets immediate uptake.

I also agree that getting a complete food like chick starter as @Wyorp Rock suggested is the best food to get her eating since it is fortified with what she requires in her diet when she is this vulnerable state. Checking the crop and finding out if it is working properly is also important. Until she is fully functional and eating, that's where access to electrolytes and vitamins is important to give her energy and balance so she isn't deficient.

When was she treated for coccidiosis? Immediately or later on? Is she still being treated?

Her vision is good enough for her to get around and stuff, but I feel like if I looked through her eyes it would be blurry, if that makes sense. She has had these problems from the start, and so has the rooster she came with.

When she wasn't eating much (she is eating more now), she still drank water normally. I mix in some Rooster Booster Poultry Cell in their water so she still gets the vitamins and minerals needed.

I got them treated for the coccidiosis a few days after I got them, and they finished the medicine about a month and a half ago. They were on the medicine for 5 days.

 

[Amer]

They haven't, but I don't think they have worms. The vet did a test on their droppings for internal parasites and only found coccidia. I also haven't seen anything in their droppings, but I could try deworming if that would be safe.

I would. It's always good to worm as a preventative measure.

 

[emmagat]

Do you provide a nutritionally balanced poultry feed like chick starter, flock raiser or layer feed?
What are the grains that you feed her?
Does she have a source of poultry grit (crushed granite)?

Yes, she gets Poulin Layer Pellets, and I regularly mix in Poultry Cell in her water to make sure she gets a boost. I put a small container of grit in for her, but it wasn't touched.

 

[emmagat]

Thanks everyone so much for all your help! My hen (still doesn't have a name, but I'm working on it ) is eating now, and it looks like her strength is coming back. I don't know what made her suddenly start eating the grain, but I've been following everyone's suggestions and giving her applesauce, scrambled eggs, etc. I have also been adding Poultry Cell into her water. For all I know she could be shy about eating, but I'm just relieved that she is finally chowing down on food. Again, thank you all so much for your help!!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Her vision is good enough for her to get around and stuff, but I feel like if I looked through her eyes it would be blurry,

Yes, she gets Poulin Layer Pellets, and I regularly mix in Poultry Cell in her water to make sure she gets a boost. I put a small container of grit in for her, but it wasn't touched.

Can you post some good photos of their eyes?

Grains, applesauce and all the rest make fine treats, but it would be good if you can slowly start limiting those and get her eating more of her normal feed.

I'm glad that she is improving and eating!