Sick chickens are also dumb

[Naisha]

Hi! So, the other day I bought 4 cochin bantam and it turns out they’re not well. One user already saw it (ach and I can’t find the thread now) but I had already got them. The guy from the shop said it look like coryza or similar, they caught a cold, he said. So I’m waiting for the antibiotics to come. The one that feels worst (very still in the nest, eyes closed), eats and drinks if I leave her food right next to her. But she’s dumb enough to only eat when the others also eat from there, not on her own.
They are in a dog house that is in an enclosed run, so the food and water is outside next to the house. I see that they don’t want to go outside and explore, they’re inside all the time. When I took some food and a little bowl of water and put it inside they started eating and drinking like crazy. Can they be that dumb/lazy that they won’t even go outside to drink? It’s literally 3 bantam chicken steps next to the door!
*facepalm*

Meanwhile I’m waiting for the medicines, I’m giving them water with a bit of garlic and a bit of apple vinegar, I read those are just for prevention just to help with immune system but I don’t think that will help much T_T

is there something else I can do?

Also, where they are now is temporary, I want to mix them with my other 3 hens, but that’s the space they have now. I know it’s better if they have a bigger coop.

 

[T-R-O-U-B-L-E]

Maybe try some Nutri Drench or warm sugar water to perk them up. I'm not gonna say my Cochin Bantams are smart...

 

[lv9777]

I am not much hep with illness, but when I got my two new Cochin hens, they did not eat much for the first 3-4 days and had me worried. I had to resort to grapes to get them to eat anything the first day. They barely moved and would not walk across the coop for the food. Day three, they started to move about and eat a bit more. They still will not eat out of a feeder or bowl. Once they integrated with my Barred Rock they started copying her and are doing much better. However, my Rock is 1000x's smarter.

 

[Tonyroo]

Chickens are not dumb, they have the ability to learn from others even human guidance can teach them.

When there sick on the other hand, they won't venture out and tend to stay put in one spot.

 

[Naisha]

I’ll try to give them their food and drink inside, then. But I can’t leave it there the whole time because the space is so small I’m afraid they will move and spill the water ^^’

 

[Tonyroo]

Consider helping them feel comfortable in there new home.

Have there main food where you want it but also leave a smaller portion of the food and water inside.
You can bring them out and just hangout with them. Show them where the main food and water will be at. Repeating the process will help them associate there surroundings.

 

[Naisha]

Consider helping them feel comfortable in there new home.

Have there main food where you want it but also leave a smaller portion of the food and water inside.
You can bring them out and just hangout with them. Show them where the main food and water will be at. Repeating the process will help them associate there surroundings.

Yea that’s what I’m doing these days, they start to feel comfortable with me around, and I give them food (and treats) outside. They come out and eat. But then they forget and starve inside when I go back home. Then when I can I go to check on them again and I move their food they remember they’re hungry and start eating like crazy xD

 

[Tonyroo]

Just takes time and repetition, they'll get there.

 

[Myrshine]

I would suggest looking into all these different common respiratory diseases that can affect chickens.

Infectious Coryza - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cagk7N0YbFhryLwJu2bCM1vFFO8wUNdX/view?usp=drivesdk

Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oz-jemqYjmVj0wEUj4gAI5VQ6idPotUU/view?usp=drivesdk

Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G6qX0s365lijlHj5UNH-gFd8Pp8s1ZUu/view?usp=drivesdk

Infectious Bronchitis (IBV) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PvrjqAwKgZpnhLIXUkmWmIZsyk-dWwBo/view?usp=drivesdk

Since Avian Influenza is going around, I recommend reading about it as well. Avian Influenza (AI) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jEgHBvYBXysmMGN--bJbzwTXHTg2pxIW/view?usp=drivesdk

Most respiratory diseases of poultry are incurable, but treatable with antibiotics. Quarantine your new birds being adding them to your flock. I hope this helps!