New Easter Egger doesn't know how to eat food, has closed eyes?

[Chickenchiquita]

@Wyorp Rock thank you so much for all your advice. I will give her the coconut oil. I heard yogurt is also good, I think I’ll try that too. I was initially worried she was egg-bound but she did poop some today so I don’t think that’s the case. You think she hasn’t started laying yet? This is so odd; the man I bought her from gave me an egg that she supposedly laid. I’m including another photo of her poop from this morning, there is some red in it, but I don’t know if it’s cocci or just shed intestinal lining. Another thing, I let her out with the silkie and gave them mashed up, wet complete poultry feed with rooster booster and some ACV, but they both didn’t seem to realize it was food and just walked all over it and squawked from hunger. How do I make them recognize food as food?

 

[Chickenchiquita]

@so lucky yes that’s actually a really good point. The bare back initially seemed indicative of the treading that a rooster would do, but if she isn’t laying, then would a rooster even be trying to breed her? Perhaps I didn’t try hard enough to insert my finger? There was a lot of pushback from her and i didn’t want to hurt her so I didn’t try super hard, but it seems from reading other people’s posts and articles, that slipping a finger in should be relatively easy. I am very miffed at the seller, but I can’t exactly return them. Even if I could, I could never willfully let them go back to the mistreatment they suffered

 

[doublecrossranch]

@so lucky yes that’s actually a really good point. The bare back initially seemed indicative of the treading that a rooster would do, but if she isn’t laying, then would a rooster even be trying to breed her? Perhaps I didn’t try hard enough to insert my finger? There was a lot of pushback from her and i didn’t want to hurt her so I didn’t try super hard, but it seems from reading other people’s posts and articles, that slipping a finger in should be relatively easy. I am very miffed at the seller, but I can’t exactly return them. Even if I could, I could never willfully let them go back to the mistreatment they suffered

I’ve seen coconut oil recommended for check a vent.
I completely agree. I don’t trust people and I don’t trust people with animals. I say do what you can and love her as much as you can. At least if she passed you know she had a good end.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Wyorp Rock thank you so much for all your advice. I will give her the coconut oil. I heard yogurt is also good, I think I’ll try that too. I was initially worried she was egg-bound but she did poop some today so I don’t think that’s the case. You think she hasn’t started laying yet? This is so odd; the man I bought her from gave me an egg that she supposedly laid. I’m including another photo of her poop from this morning, there is some red in it, but I don’t know if it’s cocci or just shed intestinal lining. Another thing, I let her out with the silkie and gave them mashed up, wet complete poultry feed with rooster booster and some ACV, but they both didn’t seem to realize it was food and just walked all over it and squawked from hunger. How do I make them recognize food as food?View attachment 1930243

I think I would treat her for Coccidiosis. The Corid won't hurt her.
I'm not sure why either one doesn't recognize food -maybe they only had pellets? You can try hand feeding both of them a little to see if that creates interest.

Depends on "rooster", his age, how many hens/pullets available, his temperament, etc., but yes.....a "rooster" will definitely mate a female that is not in lay or one that is sick - taking advantage of a weaker one at times.

I'm just throwing this out here, because I am definitely no expert, but it seems to me, regarding the bare patch, that a rooster wouldn't keep bothering a pullet that is not ready....well, maybe a very rowdy cockerel would, but perhaps the bare back is just caused by the picking and fighting caused by over-crowding. And this pullet does not seem ready to lay, as per the small dry vent, and barely red comb. She could have just been traumatized by over-crowding and mean chickens.
Personally, I would be pretty miffed at that seller.

 

[Chickenchiquita]

@Wyorp Rock thanks, I will treat her with Corid. Our poultry feed is actually in the shape of pellets, which they ignored, so I tried to follow the advice I was given and gave them some mashed up feed but they ignored that too. It seems the only thing they do recognize is grapes!

 

[Chickenchiquita]

Hi all, I just wanted to update and say that she still hasn’t eaten much. I did observe her pecking at some weeds but her crop still feels very empty. I hand-fed her a spoonful of yogurt and some coconut oil and a few bites of fig, but I had to force it into her mouth. Once it’s in, she’ll swallow, but she had no interest in actually picking up the food and eating it herself. Often she will pick up a piece of food, seem excited to eat it, and then drop it and ignore it. Yesterday she also passed a noisy poop that was extremely watery, almost like egg whites. These same behaviors occurred in one of the first members of my flock, who sadly perished a year ago from egg yolk peritonitis, ascites, and internal laying. I really hope with all my heart that this is not egg yolk peritonitis; I dont want any of my birds to deal with that horror again. Anyway, the corid is coming in the mail tomorrow and I’ve gotten some antifungal medicine for sour crop so fingers crossed that her symptoms are related to one of the two issues, as those are at least treatable.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi all, I just wanted to update and say that she still hasn’t eaten much. I did observe her pecking at some weeds but her crop still feels very empty. I hand-fed her a spoonful of yogurt and some coconut oil and a few bites of fig, but I had to force it into her mouth. Once it’s in, she’ll swallow, but she had no interest in actually picking up the food and eating it herself. Often she will pick up a piece of food, seem excited to eat it, and then drop it and ignore it. Yesterday she also passed a noisy poop that was extremely watery, almost like egg whites. These same behaviors occurred in one of the first members of my flock, who sadly perished a year ago from egg yolk peritonitis, ascites, and internal laying. I really hope with all my heart that this is not egg yolk peritonitis; I dont want any of my birds to deal with that horror again. Anyway, the corid is coming in the mail tomorrow and I’ve gotten some antifungal medicine for sour crop so fingers crossed that her symptoms are related to one of the two issues, as those are at least treatable.
View attachment 1931452

You're doing what you can.
Sadly, I agree with you on the poop Just about anytime I've seen similar in my hens, they had reproductive issues.

 

[glassdragonfly]

So sorry for your girl.But I am very grateful you took them home.

 

[Chickenchiquita]

@Wyorp Rock @glassdragonfly thank you for the kind words and commiseration. I will continue to do whatever I can to ensure her comfort. 6 months is just so young to be so sick, especially when she hasn’t even gotten the chance to lay a single egg yet. Life is unfair

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Wyorp Rock @glassdragonfly thank you for the kind words and commiseration. I will continue to do whatever I can to ensure her comfort. 6 months is just so young to be so sick, especially when she hasn’t even gotten the chance to lay a single egg yet. Life is unfair

Sometimes it doesn't seem fair does it.
I would still try the Corid, maybe worm her too. Encourage her to eat well, like you have been doing.
For me chickens bring me a lot of joy, but there's still moments of heartache.