One hen weighs next to nothing and another is a runt

[Shared Acres]

I seem to have the weirdest luck with buffs. (Silkies)

1-I have gotten buff eggs from other BYCers in the past and this is the 2nd time one of the buffs doesn't want to grow. She seems good on weight and eats and acts normally, but just stops growing.

2-I also have a buff hen that I got as an adult from a reputable breeder and I've had her since about Christmas. In the last couple of months I've noticed that she is light as a feather. I don't recall if she came like that or not. She eats and acts normally. I've tried worming her, but that hasn't seemed to do anything either.

Both of them have been living in my bathtub for about 3-4 days. I had read that the weight issue could be a protein or vitamin deficiency so every day they have been getting boiled eggs as well as yogurt laced with Polyvisol and other vitamin supplements as well as normal feed. I can't tell a difference yet.

I don't believe this to be an environmental issue as in the coop they got the exact same feed and water as everyone else. They have also been in other pens with well established, healthy chickens. These guys are not picked on and are not at the bottom of the totem pole.

Any ideas?

 

[Shared Acres]

Anyone?

 

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

I would try the vitamins for chickens- I think I saw a bag of it at fleet farm the last time I was in. Also are you mixing the egg with the regular food- I guess that is what I would do + put a heat lamp on them and see if that also helps.

I just had a duck that needed TLC and gave it vitamins in the water and then mixed the food with the vitamin water as well- looks like it has perked up in the last week.

Otherwise I don't know. Did you check them for injuries? Could be that they are getting picked on when your not looking? Oops just reread your post and looks like you are doing everything- give it another day or two and see if they perk up.

 

[Pootersmama]

I am intrested in this, I also have a buff and she is tiny. She also had wry neck, but we have been feeding her and making sure she is drinking. I do not see a differnce in her weight yet either, however her feathers look healthier.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

In every species, there are strong specimens and weak specimens and everything in between. In nature only the strong survive and that is why hens lay clutches of 10-15 eggs to propagate the breed. If all were healthy, they'd only need 2 or 3 to propagate.
Some are just weak specimens. We can't win them all!

 

[friend of chickens]

what did you worm your chickens with? and when? and how often?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Mites and lice will also take the weight off a bird, and can be very easy to miss in silkie feathering. Plus some are microscopic.