I need some help!!

[Judyjean1831]

I have 2 issues and need some input.
#1--- I have a hen who just seems weak. Not sick so much as just weak. She still eats, drinks, and poops normally. She just walks a few steps then sits down like she has no energy. Any ideas? No sign of worms, have given her electrolytes, and probiotics, have massaged her crop, and soaked her in warm water in case she was egg bound. She didn't seem egg bound and her crop seemed fine, she didn't vomit. What else should I do for her?

#2--I have 6 hens, including the under-the-weather one. None of our hens have laid an egg in a month. One just started molting, but only a few days ago. So far I have: given them cat food to supplement their protein, all have gotten pro-biotics and electrolytes, they have oyster shell, they have fresh water changed regularly, they get to get out and forage at least 4-5 days a week but usually in the afternoon. I put golf balls in their nesting boxes (2) thinking a snake had been eating them, but the balls sat there for 3 weeks. I even changed their food thinking they were missing something. They get kitchen scraps (squash seeds, bread, grapes, tomatoes, etc.) What am I not doing?!? What is wrong?!?

 

[Pork Pie]

Sorry to hear about your problems. Im no expert, but you seem to be doing everything possible. Have you tried antibiotics? They may have some viral infection, but at least antibiotics would help protect against opportunistic secondary infections. Having said that, it could simply be a moulting issue but i have no experience of that as in Kenya (where i live) i have been told that chickens do not go through what i could only term a "typical" moult.

Good luck!

 

[aart]

I wouldn't go for medications just yet.

How old are the birds?
What is your regular feeding regime?
What is protein level of pellets or crumble and what other foods do you provide?
Cat food isn't great for them, better to find another protein supplement.

What is your climate?
Putting your location in your profile or signature can help folks give better answers/suggestions.

 

[Judyjean1831]

We live in central Alabama. Not sure what you mean by feeding regimen. They have food available all the time in a feeder. I believe their food is 22% protein. Two are about a year and a half old. One is 7 months old and I'm not sure about the other 3 hens. It is a mixed flock, not sure if that matters. I tried using cat food additionally because a co-worker who has chickens said she does this and it helps when hers are molting. My Black Copper Maran is molting, but she is the only one molting. I understand why she isn't laying. I have 2 red stars and one buff orpington, my friend also got red stars and an orpington at the same time from the same place---hers are laying, mine are not. A further peculiar point.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Any hen over a year will soon be molting, they stop laying before a molt, so maybe that's why yours have stopped. They won't resume for a couple of months. Hot weather can cause them to quit laying as well, so another consideration. And of course all chickens are different, some of mine lay for a bit then quit, then resume laying. I used to have an occasional sex link hen but they seem to burn out by two years old and never lay again.

There is probably something wrong with your hen internally, I could speculate, liver problems, kidney failure, but it doesn't help you, sounds like you have tried all the usual things, sometimes there's nothing you can do. Sorry.

 

[Judyjean1831]

Thanks for the input. Until about a week ago, it has been pretty hot here but I do live in Alabama. It would be weird if it were July and not hot enough to bake cookies on the porch here. I think we are going to use some sort of commercial dewormer just for good measure. It's the one thing we haven't done. At least we've done everything we should do. Some things are just not within our control.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Chickens can be good for driving you insane with all the why are they doing this, and now why are they doing that, suppose that's why I never grow tired of them.