New hen not eating or drinking

[khybentz]

I apologize a head of time for the long post..
I just recently got a new silkie hen, my first 'outsider'. I've had my exsisting flock since chicks..I just lost one of my two silkies so I found this silkie so my lone silkie would have a companion. Anyways, the new hen is in quarantine currently in my basement because my other girls free range, so it wouldn't work to set her up outside.
During the car ride to my house she was panting, which I know is a sign of stress and I don't blame..she still seems very distraught, she just stands in one spot, moving around occasionally & I haven't yet see her drink or eat. She will attack a cucumber or zuchnini but won't touch her water or crumble feed. I'm worried about dehydration.
I'm not sure what her conditions were like, but I believe she was in with a bunch of ducks, so I'm not sure what her diet was like..is this just a sign of stress from a new place? Will she warm up and start to eat and drink? TIA

 

[azygous]

Many chickens need to be around other poultry in order to feel like eating.

Your alternative to placing her with your other Silkie is to spend time with her and try to tempt her with goodies. Try red Gatoraid. Most chickens can't resist the red color and it's sweet and the electrolytes are just as helpful to a chicken as they are to people.

Try offering either raw egg or boiled. Most chickens adore eggs. Then there are meal worms, almost always a sure thing.

 

[khybentz]

Thanks! I was worried about spreading illness so I was avoiding introducing her to my silkie. I do have some sizzles that I'm also going to be getting tomorrow, would it be okay to put them in with her?

 

[aart]

Thanks! I was worried about spreading illness so I was avoiding introducing her to my silkie. I do have some sizzles that I'm also going to be getting tomorrow, would it be okay to put them in with her?

Might perk her up....but would be a bio risk.

 

[barred2rock]

Any chance you could put together a temporary run in view of the others?