Poorly hen-could it be laying problems?

[Wyorp Rock]

 

[jools2014]

I need more help! My other bird is not perching now either! What is going on. Is this a sign of depression/loneliness? Is she sick the same as my other bird? Ahh this is a nightmare!

Azygous-what special feed did you give your bird that got her to perk up after her moult? I'm going down tomorrow to give the house a good clean and giver= her a good look over-she's still pecking around and everything. Maybe she is just wondering where her friend is?

 

[azygous]

I open a can of mackerel for the molting chickens once or twice a week. Tofu with Poultry Nutri-drench is a favorite of hard molters that have little appetite. Occasionally, I give a seriously underweight chicken plain dry crumbles when she isn't finding fermented feed appealing.

There's a quirk chickens have. They get bored with their regular feed and see any alternative as a special treat.

 

[jools2014]

Thanks so much I'll try those and hope they work!

 

[jools2014]

Hi so I've been giving her scrambled egg and tofu and she seems to be doing good now. She's also been having sweetcorn which she loves-not so keen on the tofu or banana. I also tried sardines but she didn't eat that but may try again as she was off her food one day last week. Most of my shopping over the past week has been for her lol. Haven't tried the mackeral yet as we don't really eat it-we already had to finish off the sardines as she wasn't interested.

One day she hardly ate anything but she's been wolfing the food down now and making her way up to her perch which is great news. I think she was missing her friend and had some weight to put on after molt and being broody before. Thanks for the advice guys it's been really helpful! I feel bad for her that she is alone, have a friend of the family who may be able to add her to their flock as soon as I can see she is 100% healthy. I guess I should stop with the treats soon? Don't want her off her chicken food forever.

 

[azygous]

It really is amazing how quickly a chicken can turn around with a little special feeding. Now that she has an appetite again, her regular feed should be adequate from here on.