Please help

[Faverollesarefun]

I would try b complex, from the grocery store. 1/3 a tablet every day, just mix it in a treat or wet mash.

Like vitamin b? We have vitamin b-12 shot we give to calves when they are sick.

 

[nuthatched]

Like vitamin b? We have vitamin b-12 shot we give to calves when they are sick.

I would recommend the b complex, not just b 12.

 

[Eggcessive]

They should be getting a balanced all flock or layer feed, or they could have deficiencies of protein, vitamins and minerals. I have seen a few old chickens who did not dust bathe anymore, and they tend to get scaly leg mites and suffer from other issues. If her toenails are long, that may be the case. B complex has all of the B vitamins including B12. Riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, and all others are necessary.

 

[Faverollesarefun]

They should be getting a balanced all flock or layer feed, or they could have deficiencies of protein, vitamins and minerals. I have seen a few old chickens who did not dust bathe anymore, and they tend to get scaly leg mites and suffer from other issues. If her toenails are long, that may be the case. B complex has all of the B vitamins including B12. Riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, and all others are necessary.

They have a chicken mineral in their water. It should have all that stuff in it.

 

[Faverollesarefun]

They have a chicken mineral in their water. It should have all that stuff in it.

And there is protein in the milk their feed is soaked in

 

[nuthatched]

And there is protein in the milk their feed is soaked in

Not enough, they need atleast 18%. There's also not nearly enough vitamins, minerals, amino acids in barley/milk/molasses. There's hardly any chicken usable nutrients here since they don't digest dairy well.
Chickens are omnivores, like us, if you couldn't survive on that diet (you couldn't) neither can they and they need to lay eggs and grow feathers on top of just 'survival '.
The only reason they're even still alive is that they get to free range a little, and since winter is here, they definitely need food now.
It's like feeding cows only corn, you know they couldn't live and be productive on that.
If you don't want to buy real chicken feed, I'd recommend rehoming them; Considering how hard family farms are under scrutiny from agencies and anti-farm folks, you don't want any reason to attract their interest because this type of care would be considered neglect by most people and farmers do not need any bad press.
If you need help picking out a feed, we can help. :] or if you need more information on anything, just let us know.

 

[Faverollesarefun]

Not enough, they need atleast 18%. There's also not nearly enough vitamins, minerals, amino acids in barley/milk/molasses. There's hardly any chicken usable nutrients here since they don't digest dairy well.
Chickens are omnivores, like us, if you couldn't survive on that diet (you couldn't) neither can they and they need to lay eggs and grow feathers on top of just 'survival '.
The only reason they're even still alive is that they get to free range a little, and since winter is here, they definitely need food now.
It's like feeding cows only corn, you know they couldn't live and be productive on that.
If you don't want to buy real chicken feed, I'd recommend rehoming them; Considering how hard family farms are under scrutiny from agencies and anti-farm folks, you don't want any reason to attract their interest because this type of care would be considered neglect by most people and farmers do not need any bad press.
If you need help picking out a feed, we can help. :] or if you need more information on anything, just let us know.

What type of feed would you recommend?? My local feed mill has lay mash , lay pellets, and meat bird feed. I also have free choice oyster shell available for all of them.

 

[Faverollesarefun]

What type of feed would you recommend?? My local feed mill has lay mash , lay pellets, and meat bird feed. I also have free choice oyster shell available for all of them.

And can I bring my old hen back from this? Or is it just her time? I’ve had meat chickens have heart problems and they can’t really walk any more.

 

[Eggcessive]

Layer feed or Flock raiser/all flock feed is sufficient for most chickens. It has all they need. If you have chicks or non-laying hens, they should be on chick starter or all flock feed.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

And can I bring my old hen back from this? Or is it just her time? I’ve had meat chickens have heart problems and they can’t really walk any more.

Meat chickens aren't expected to survive beyond about 12 weeks. We harvest ours at between 6 and 8 weeks, before their weight causes them heart problems and while their legs can still support them. We usually get 8 to 10 CornishX for the freezer every spring.