Odd Chicken Behaviour

[mightyjoeyoung]

Hi guys and gals

Rehomed some battery hens a few months ago, but have recently lost one of my 16,which was more than likely due to the neglect she suffered. However another chicken is looking the same, lagging behind with growing feathers and being smaller than the others. Additionally she does not walk with the rest or feed as often as the others. She also doesn't run over when I come in the coop to give them treats. Should I be worried by her behaviour, or is there anything I can do to encourage feeding? Any replies will be appreciated

Pic of said chicken

 

[song of joy]

Any or all of the following may help:

Provide a higher-protein, complete feed (e.g., Purina Flock Raiser, 20% protein) as they need more protein to regrow feathers.

Provide hard-boiled or scrambled eggs, an excellent source of protein, vitamins and minerals.

Add a vitamin supplement to the water (e.g., Poultry Drench).

Treat the birds for intestinal worms.

Treat the birds for lice and mites.

 

[mightyjoeyoung]

If the bird doesn't come over to the food, or is pushed away by the other birds for the egg/ food, what is the best course of action? Isolation does not seem right, as that will surely cause problems with the others?

 

[enola]

She is not feeling well, her posture shows that. Has she been wormed? If she has, what did you use? Has she been checked for lice and mites?

If she is weak from parasites, she will not be aggressive enough to compete with the other chckens.

 

[mightyjoeyoung]

Rather foolishly we haven't got them wormed, going to take her to our local chicken vet, so as she can be checked and wormed. Are there any products you would recommend for worming? Preferably easy for a large number of chickens who are still scatty near humans.

 

[song of joy]

Rather foolishly we haven't got them wormed, going to take her to our local chicken vet, so as she can be checked and wormed. Are there any products you would recommend for worming? Preferably easy for a large number of chickens who are still scatty near humans.

There's very little on the market that's actually licensed for use in chickens. I use a small, pea-sized amount of Safeguard per chicken, wrapped up in a small piece of bread. It's the Safeguard that comes in a tube and is used to deworm horses.