- Oct 11, 2011
- 17
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My friend recently had her entire flock killed, except one, by a maurading weasel family, while they were on vacation. She asked if I would take in the lone surviver, which I did.
So, this poor chicken was totally traumatized by the attack on her flock and now is trying to integrate into my existing flock....therefore is quite stressed.
My flock of 10 assorted breeds is 7 months old, the newby is 2 yr. She has been with us 5 days, and is mostly accepted into the flock, at least peripherally...no more major confrontations. My largest bird, a Buff Orphington, appears to be the dominent bird.
The biggest problem now is that the newby really isn't eatting. I am using the same food she received prior to the trauma. When the group free ranges she scratches around some and pecks at the ground, but I can't imagine she is receiving any substantial nutrition. I have tried all sorts of treats to no avail. She is drinking water. She doesn't appear to be physically injured in any way, just stressed.
Does anyone have any suggestions of what I can do to help her get back to eatting? Will it just take more time? Will a bird actually die from failure to thrive due to stress?
So, this poor chicken was totally traumatized by the attack on her flock and now is trying to integrate into my existing flock....therefore is quite stressed.
My flock of 10 assorted breeds is 7 months old, the newby is 2 yr. She has been with us 5 days, and is mostly accepted into the flock, at least peripherally...no more major confrontations. My largest bird, a Buff Orphington, appears to be the dominent bird.
The biggest problem now is that the newby really isn't eatting. I am using the same food she received prior to the trauma. When the group free ranges she scratches around some and pecks at the ground, but I can't imagine she is receiving any substantial nutrition. I have tried all sorts of treats to no avail. She is drinking water. She doesn't appear to be physically injured in any way, just stressed.
Does anyone have any suggestions of what I can do to help her get back to eatting? Will it just take more time? Will a bird actually die from failure to thrive due to stress?