Plumping up an underweight hen

[Equiem]

Have you checked her crop in the morning before she is given access to food and water? You need to do that. A crop that is full isn't a good thing if it's that way first thing in the morning, even though your vet may not have talked about it.

A sour crop or impacted crop will cause the chicken to feel full and they won't want to eat anything, and they can end up starving to death in spite of a full crop.

If her crop is flat and empty come morning, the problem could be worms. Did your vet bring that up? A fecal float test, done by your vet on a sample of her poop can either rule out worms or diagnose them and tell you want species to treat for.

If you rule out crop disorders and worms, then I would accept a diagnosis of a metabolic disorder. Mackerel or other oily fish, black sunflower seeds, and feeding fermented feed can all help to put meat on your skinny-minnie.

She is an ex battery hen so probably isn't one of the healthiest as I said in another reply! All 5 came to me with various problems and lost 2 to egg peritonitis!

They were also recently wormed with Flubenvet so vet wasn't concerned with worms. I will try the oily fish and the black sunflower seeds once she's all back to normal!

 

[Melky]

Glad she saw the vet and is getting better! Weight gain still directly related to the protein amount in the feed. Any brand like a 18-20% all flockraiser would have a higher protein that would help with weight gain. I would think once has gained some weight if digested well would be able to go back on layer feed at some point once crop issues resolve and she is stable awhile. Make sure she is getting poultry grit to aid digestion free choice as well.

 

[Equiem]

Glad she saw the vet and is getting better! Weight gain still directly related to the protein amount in the feed. Any brand like a 18-20% all flockraiser would have a higher protein that would help with weight gain. I would think once has gained some weight if digested well would be able to go back on layer feed at some point once crop issues resolve and she is stable awhile. Make sure she is getting poultry grit to aid digestion free choice as well.

I don't think my girls will ever be a picture of health because of their previous life as a caged battery hen but I'll do what I can to make them comfortable. They are very spoilt now though. It's like they're my children! I worry when they're unwell.

I have mixed chick crumb into the layers feed as that is a higher protein, I believe? I will definitely look further into higher percentage feed though! Grit and oyster shell are available at all times for the girls! :>

 

[Melky]

Yes it is usually a 18-20% protein feed chick crumb. That might work as well.

 

[Chickassan]

Calf manna added to her food is wonderful. It comes in pellets so if she's not a pellet fan run it through an old coffee grinder and mix it in.