Random Blindness

[Rabbit chicken]

Im still learning about hens but I have a 3 year old sexlink hen that isn't feeling well... at first I thought it was becuse its been cold then hot but while carring for her I realized she can't see... Shes eating and drinking when a bowl of yolk/water is offered. But shes very skinny/under weight. I have No idea if it was caused by a sickness Or what. And there is no visual Cues that shes blind... The coop Is large with a covered run. The food Is dry cob and Calsiom with Leftovers of what my family eats.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Can you post pictures of her eyes? Also please post a picture of her food and the bag, front and back (the label with the analysis),* and how do you provide the calcium? Is it in a separate vessel or mixed with her feed? Is it in the form of oyster shell or egg shells? How many chickens do you have, or is she the only one? Is she still laying, or when did she stop? What color is her comb, is it still bright red or has it gone pale? How long have you had her?

*I don't know what you mean by dry cob. Are you just feeding her dry corn on the cob?

 

[Rabbit chicken]

Can you post pictures of her eyes? Also please post a picture of her food and the bag, front and back (the label with the analysis),* and how do you provide the calcium? Is it in a separate vessel or mixed with her feed? Is it in the form of oyster shell or egg shells? How many chickens do you have, or is she the only one? Is she still laying, or when did she stop? What color is her comb, is it still bright red or has it gone pale? How long have you had her?

*I don't know what you mean by dry cob. Are you just feeding her dry corn on the cob?

I Cant Take a photo right now. But the calcium is fed sepertit but sometimes I mix it in. It's like a white Chunky looking... I forgot What the brand is called. The dry cob is made from corn. I have about 20ish hens and 3 rosters. I think she stopped laying. I've had her for most of her life. This is the only photo I have

 

[BigBlueHen53]

She needs a more balanced feed than just corn, that's not a complete diet. Can you buy a bag of chicken feed, maybe something called All-flock? If she's not laying eggs she does not need calcium. If you provide calcium in a separate dish, only the birds that need it will take what they need. You should not mix it with their food, it can harm them.

Chickens should have chicken food, not people food. Just like you can not get proper nutrition eating dog food and you would not feed parrot food to gold fish.

She certainly does not look happy here. What about grit. Do you also provide grit? That helps them digest their food.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I would not get her Layer Feed because that has calcium in it and only has about 16% protein. Look for something with 20% protein. If you can't find All-flock, Grower formula, or Starter will do or anything with about 20% protein. It should cost around $15. The roosters should not be eating calcium either, or any bird that's not laying.

 

[Rabbit chicken]

She needs a more balanced feed than just corn, that's not a complete diet. Can you buy a bag of chicken feed, maybe something called All-flock? If she's not laying eggs she does not need calcium. If you provide calcium in a separate dish, only the birds that need it will take what they need. You should not mix it with their food, it can harm them.

Chickens should have chicken food, not people food. Just like you can not get proper nutrition eating dog food and you would not feed parrot food to gold fish.

She certainly does not look happy here. What about grit. Do you also provide grit? That helps them digest their food.

Whats Grit? and The people foods Just are left over food and more like a Snack then food. She's been sick since 2 days ago and she cant see.

 

[Rabbit chicken]

I Mostly offer It separately I only mix it if I need to make the food last a bit longer or if I think the hens aren't getting enough from what's sepret. Also my chickens pick through their food and eat what they want

 

[EggSighted4Life]

*I don't know what you mean by dry cob. Are you just feeding her dry corn on the cob?

A quick google search indicates that it's traditionally corn, oats, barley.

All of the ones I saw, if that is indeed what is meant.. were VERY low in protein and definitely not adaquate as poultry feed.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

You can get grit at the feed store too. It's crushed granite. They hold it in a special place in their body, the gizzard, where their food gets ground up real fine so they can digest it. They get some from pecking at the ground, it's tiny rocks. It should also be in another separate dish or bowl, a different one thsn the calcium.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

@EggSighted4Life is one of our Educators. If you look by her name, she has a special black tag. She's very knowledgeable, like a teacher here.