Malnourished hen - will she get better?

[citychicks99]

We got both of these hens from my mom's friend's farm. They were hatched at the same time and are the same breed. The only difference is that I raised the one in the background from when she was a baby chick and the one in the front, I got her two months ago. The one I raised is twice the size of the new one. I provide feed free-choice but I heard that the new hen was part of a bigger flock and they only got fed once a day from feed that was scattered on the ground. I think she was probably bullied and didn't get enough food. I try and make sure she's fed, since my current hen can get territorial. But even when I handfeed her, she doesn't seem too interested in food. She'll peck at it at first but ignores it after a short while. Surprisingly, she does lay eggs every couple of days. They're a little smaller than the ones from the store but still good.

Will she be able to get bigger or is this it for her? I think her feet were also not fully formed since she walks kind of funny, like on her toes. Anything I can do to make things better for her?

 

[nuthatched]

Poor Lady, I'm not sure what you can do honestly. Does she always stand like that? If it was just malnutrition for a short time that's one thing, but growing with malnutrition may have messed her up inside. it might be a wait and see scenario.

 

[citychicks99]

Poor Lady, I'm not sure what you can do honestly. Does she always stand like that? If it was just malnutrition for a short time that's one thing, but growing with malnutrition may have messed her up inside. it might be a wait and see scenario.

Yes, unfortunately. I think that's why she sits for the most part or hides in nooks and crannies. Makes me sad to think she might not live as long because of her condition.

 

[aart]

Yes, unfortunately.

That bird looks sick to me.
May be from prior diet, or not.

 

[Mrs. K]

Some animals are just poor doers. You might check if she has worms, but I too wonder if she is in poor health. I would suspect it is not so much a lack of food or poor diet, but rather a genetic error with her.

Generally animal when exposed to enough food, eat enough and will return to well being rather quickly. The fact that she doesn't eat much, would be a red flag to me. The fact that she lays a couple time a week, means she is making this work some how. Sick birds, malnourished birds, the first sign is a loss of egg production, as the body shuts that down in an effort to support the bird.

Mrs K