My chicken is skinny, lethargic, and is laying bloody eggs. Any advice?

[MysteryChicken]

Oops. I'll try less fat and more protein, but what do you give her for more protein?

I feed 20% Nutrena Naturewise All Flock Pellets, with oyster shells on the side. I don't go the layer feed route.

For treats, I give out the occasional cup, or two(Depending on flock size), of scratch grains. I do this once, or twice every other week for the winter.
Or I'll get them a flock block which gives them entertainment, & last longer. Mine still eat their regular feed despite this addition.

 

[LhickenChicken]

Hmm... Well we are having problems with hens eating eggs, the flock block sounds like it will keep the hens entertained

 

[nuthatched]

Oops. I'll try less fat and more protein, but what do you give her for more protein?

Short-term,- meat, offal, fish, yogurt, scrambled eggs, tuna, wet cat food (though strong fish can make eggs taste fishy) but a formulated feed would be the easiest and most cost-effective option.
You can feed yourself better and cheaper by making your food over buying prepacked food but not so much with chickens.
Poultry feed is one one the most heavily researched agricultural areas on the planet, what you buy at the feed store is formulated to provide all the necessary nutrition most effectively.
Mixing your feed is possible but it's very expensive ($3-$6 a pound). There are several threads on it here if you want to search, the member U_Stormcrow is the best at calculating feed and nutrition from recipes.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Please post photos of your hen, her vent and her poop.

Thank You!

 

[nuthatched]

Hmm... Well we are having problems with hens eating eggs, the flock block sounds like it will keep the hens entertained

Flock blocks are ok but hens tend to gorge themselves on them, it's like potato chips for chickens. Tasty! but empty calories. I used to put a milk crate over mine and only let them have a go at it right before they went to bed.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Flock blocks are ok but hens tend to gorge themselves on them, it's like potato chips for chickens. Tasty! but empty calories. I used to put a milk crate over mine and only let them have a go at it right before they went to bed.

Just wanted to share.

I leave mine out, full access. First time using them, they'd gorge. But as it became an every other month routine, they don't do that anymore. They still eat their regular feed. They seemed to have self-taught themselves it's an occasional snack not a full meal.

Sounds hard to believe, but my birds are just weird, I guess.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Hmm... Well we are having problems with hens eating eggs, the flock block sounds like it will keep the hens entertained

Egg eating is a definite sign they need more protein.

 

[nuthatched]

Just wanted to share.

I leave mine out, full access. First time using them, they'd gorge. But as it became an every other month routine, they don't do that anymore. They still eat their regular feed. They seemed to have self-taught themselves it's an occasional snack not a full meal.

Sounds hard to believe, but my birds are just weird, I guess.

That makes sense. I wish mine did that, they do it with fallen apples but I haven't seen it with scratch-type things.

 

[LhickenChicken]

Yeah, mine will probably do that too, at first, but you know it's a treat, right? Thanks for your quick replies!

 

[LhickenChicken]

Please post photos of your hen, her vent and her poop.

Thank You!

I can't take pictures on a computer