My chicken has lost weight, sick?

[Riverbend Farms]

My 2 y/o BO Hen has recently lost some weight, she is the dominant hen so it seems kinda weird, she DID have a big molt where she lost a ton of feathers, could that be it? Her crop also never seems super full.

 

[Tookie]

Could you get a picture of her?
How long ago was her molt? Is she done molting?
Look her over for any lice or mites, specifically around the vent area.
Check her crop early in the morning before she eats or drinks anything and see if its empty.
When was her last egg?

 

[Riverbend Farms]

1. Yes
2. A couple weeks ago, she is almost fully feathered, just a couple more.
3. Okay, will do.
4. I do not know, but I think recently. She also has not been lethargic, is eating, makes noise, is energetic and a happy chicken, she may have just lost weight from molting.

 

[Tookie]

she may have just lost weight from molting.

I think this is the most likely cause.

 

[Riverbend Farms]

Okay, thank you!

 

[Tookie]

Okay, thank you!

Your welcome!
Keep an eye on her.

 

[Mrs. K]

If they are eating and active, that is a good sign. Other than providing good feed there is not a lot you can do. Generally that is more than enough.

I too think it was the molt. It would not hurt to check for parasites just to be sure.

Mrs K

 

[WingsysRoost]

My best guess would be that she lost weight due to molting if she seems otherwise healthy.

You could try offering her an extra little treat of some scrambled or hard-boiled mashed egg a few times per week for a little bit to help her put weight back on, since molting does take up a lot of energy. If that doesn't do anything for her, there might be an issue, but mostly likely she will be just fine once she is completely finished molting.

 

[aart]

Did you actually weight her regularly to know that she has lost weight,
or does she just look smaller?