Possible issue.. please advise

[Kiki]

Her pellets are readily available to her. Treats are given to her in the form of things like yogurt, apples, oatmeal, cooked white rice, bread. Otherwise she free ranges.

Stop all of the extras immediately. By feeding so many treats she isn't getting a balanced diet...which can cause serious problems.

 

[R_V]

Stop all of the extras immediately. By feeding so many treats she isn't getting a balanced diet...which can cause serious problems.

So no treats at all? For how long? They get a treat once a day. Is this overkill? Thank you for commenting.

 

[Kiki]

So no treats at all? For how long? They get a treat once a day. Is this overkill? Thank you for commenting.

It may be too late for this particular bird but I would stop all treats for good.

 

[Kiki]

I don't know your age or if you have children or if you are a child yourself but think of it this way:

Would you feed your child chips and candy everyday?
Or would you give them a piece of candy every once in a while and only after they have ate their complete balanced meals for the day?


It's just not healthy and chickens will fill up on 'junk food' and not get a balanced diet which can cause them to get fat... which will make them have laying issues which will most likely cause them to die sooner rather than later.

 

[R_V]

I don't know your age or if you have children or if you are a child yourself but think of it this way:

Would you feed your child chips and candy everyday?
Or would you give them a piece of candy every once in a while and only after they have ate their complete balanced meals for the day?


It's just not healthy and chickens will fill up on 'junk food' and not get a balanced diet which can cause them to get fat... which will make them have laying issues which will most likely cause them to die sooner rather than later.

They are free range hens. Could it be the pellets I buy them lacks nutrients that they may also not be getting from pecking around at the dirt all day?

 

[Kiki]

They are free range hens. Could it be the pellets I buy them lacks nutrients that they may also not be getting from pecking around at the dirt all day?

Probably not unless they are very old pellets.

 

[Kiki]

What exact pellets do you buy?

 

[R_V]

What exact pellets do you buy?

Flint River Mills 15% Layer Pellets

 

[Eggcessive]

You might want to try some Purina Flock Raiser 20% feed, or combine some 22% meat bird feed with your present feed to bump up the protein. 15% is the lowest amount of protein, and any extras can dilute that. Oats are not a good feed on their own, and too much can cause problems. They are a part of most feeds in small portions. Instead try some regular feed and add water to amke a mash. Keep crushed oyster shell available as a calcium supplement if you switch to Flock Raiser. Here is some reading about oats for chickens:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/the-shocking-effect-of-oatmeal/

 

[R_V]

UPDATE : She had an infestation of lice (we assume it is lice). She is currently sunbathing right now to help keep her warm. She is practically immobile. Hanging on the rope between life and death. Can we leave her out in direct sun for prolonged periods of time? What steps can be taken to make sure she pulls out okay? In the meantime, we have given her an iron supplement to help with the shivers and the massive amount of energy those buggers drained from her. PLEASE ADVISE. I am so desperate.