Older hen not eating

[asteppa]

Hi, our 2 1/2 year old hen is not eating and sleeping a lot. I am wondering if they will do this when a pullet they share quarters with is about to start laying. The younger one seems to be challenging her elder for top bird!

 

[asteppa]

I mistyped, she is actually 3 1/2.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Not normal for them to go off feed and sleep all the time.

How is her poop? Normal or watery? Is she laying still?

I know I do not have the answers. Those questions are sure to be asked.

Will she eat any boiled egg? What about water? If she will drink perhaps some nutri-drench in the water or sugar water to help with energy.

 

[aart]

Are you sure she's not eating at all?
At that age this time of year she may be molting.
She may also be dehydrated due to high temps.
I give a dose of Sav-a-chik once a week during heat waves.

When I have a bird I suspect might be ill, I isolate them in a crate like this.
That way I can see what they are consuming and expelling.
I pull feed out at night and check crop.
Then check crop in morning to see if it has emptied,
and see what kind of poops are on tray below from overnight.

 

[asteppa]

It is actually much cooler here now than it was the previous two weeks. She is pooping mainly water. She will take a few pecks of special treats like Tomato horn worms, but is definitely not eating or acting like normal.

She has stopped laying also. No sign of molting yet.

 

[aart]

It is actually much cooler here now than it was the previous two weeks. She is pooping mainly water. She will take a few pecks of special treats like Tomato horn worms, but is definitely not eating or acting like normal.

She has stopped laying also. No sign of molting yet.

Is her belly swollen?
What type of feed do they normally eat?
She may have gotten dehydrated during the heat wave.
When did this behavior start in relation to the heat?