Injured Hen Won't Eat

[HuskerHens18]

Today her crop had no food in it, but I could feel liquid! I think she drank some on her own! I did our usual routine and she even tried to scratch In it. Our next goal is weight gain, she really hasn't put on any weight. Should I give her anything high in fat or just let her keep eating regular feed? I'm still putting nutri drench in her water and food since she is so thin right now.

 

[Morrigan]

Since she's healing and needs to gain some weight, I'd try to get some extra protein and calories in her. Scrambled eggs are always good, plus things like mealworms or a little canned tuna.

 

[HuskerHens18]

Good and bad update. Good news, she is eating and drinking all by herself, as long as I have her boxed in a small area where she can search for it. She has also gained weight! When I feel her I can actually feel "meat" on her body.
Her eyes are opening better, but I was a bit surprised at the way they appear. I do believe she has permanent vision damage. She still misses her water or food bowl 2 out of 5 times, she just has the energy now to KEEP trying until she finds it.
Her eyes look "hollow". The pupil is an odd color and takes up 90% of the eye. They also do not react to light at all. She may be a handicapped chicken her whole life.

I am just very happy to see her acting like a chicken and making happy noises. I'll keep updating as long as any of you want updates. I'm not really sure there's anything else that will change, but just ask and I will gladly share.

 

[NuggetTheChicken]

View attachment 1998387 View attachment 1998388 Good and bad update. Good news, she is eating and drinking all by herself, as long as I have her boxed in a small area where she can search for it. She has also gained weight! When I feel her I can actually feel "meat" on her body.
Her eyes are opening better, but I was a bit surprised at the way they appear. I do believe she has permanent vision damage. She still misses her water or food bowl 2 out of 5 times, she just has the energy now to KEEP trying until she finds it.
Her eyes look "hollow". The pupil is an odd color and takes up 90% of the eye. They also do not react to light at all. She may be a handicapped chicken her whole life.

I am just very happy to see her acting like a chicken and making happy noises. I'll keep updating as long as any of you want updates. I'm not really sure there's anything else that will change, but just ask and I will gladly share.

Wonderful News! Glad to hear she is doing better. She might have gone blind in that eye. You can should put her in a safe, small space where she can eat without competition as well as stay away from predators. Congrats on her recovery!

 

[Morrigan]

I'm very happy to hear that she is eating and gaining weight. That's wonderful news. I seem to recall reading stories here about people who have had blind chickens and as long as their food and water are in the same spot, they figure out where it is.