Unresponding chicken in shock??

[sam2002]

Change of news- the original shocked chicken, Missy, is now losing a ton of feathers. I did my research and this supposedly happens because of shock, but we're talking A LOT of feathers. Wing feathers and tail feathers too. She doesn't look much thinner but I am very worried about the piles of down in her little isolation coop and her box.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Change of news- the original shocked chicken, Missy, is now losing a ton of feathers. I did my research and this supposedly happens because of shock, but we're talking A LOT of feathers. Wing feathers and tail feathers too. She doesn't look much thinner but I am very worried about the piles of down in her little isolation coop and her box.

How old is she?
Can you post a photo?

It's possible she may be going through her annual molt. Do you see any pin feathers coming in?

A molting chicken needs extra protein, so give her some egg in addition to her normal feed and consider some extra vitamins in her water a couple of days a week.

 

[sam2002]

Good news- not as many feathers falling out. I can't figure out how to attach a photo ): ... We got them from a neighbor and are not sure how old they are- we are estimating around 4. For food, we are giving them a variety of different things including their regular layer food, some scratch, regular whole-wheat bread, mashed-up pumpkin, and cucumber. What kind of vitamins do you suggest? ... I hesitate to give them eggs because it seems gruesome, but if they will help out the chicks I will.


When is a good time to take of Chris's foot bandages? (Chicken with deep puncture wounds in her foot). She can hop around on it pretty well.

Missy, the other one (recovering from shock, and still losing some feathers though)... she is limping heavily and won't put any weight on her right leg. I felt along her foot and knee joint, and when I got higher up into her thigh she squawked loudly and jumped away. Something with her hip maybe? Do chickens have hips?

I appreciate the help so much! Thank you thank you thank you! These girls are our first chickens, we've had them for about 2 years now.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Good news- not as many feathers falling out. I can't figure out how to attach a photo ): ... We got them from a neighbor and are not sure how old they are- we are estimating around 4. For food, we are giving them a variety of different things including their regular layer food, some scratch, regular whole-wheat bread, mashed-up pumpkin, and cucumber. What kind of vitamins do you suggest? ... I hesitate to give them eggs because it seems gruesome, but if they will help out the chicks I will.


When is a good time to take of Chris's foot bandages? (Chicken with deep puncture wounds in her foot). She can hop around on it pretty well.

Missy, the other one (recovering from shock, and still losing some feathers though)... she is limping heavily and won't put any weight on her right leg. I felt along her foot and knee joint, and when I got higher up into her thigh she squawked loudly and jumped away. Something with her hip maybe? Do chickens have hips?

I appreciate the help so much! Thank you thank you thank you! These girls are our first chickens, we've had them for about 2 years now.

To post a photo from your PC, click on the "mountain" icon in the editor (it's next to the film strip icon) if you hover your mouse over it, it will say "insert photo". Then follow the instructions, I usually upload from a photos folder or the desktop.

Everyone feels a bit different about what they feed, mine love hard boiled or scrambled eggs, but you can offer other things like some tuna, mackerel, meat, etc.

Photos will be helpful in seeing the foot. Inspect it well, is the foot healed up fairly well? Do you change the bandage and how often?

I would call it a hip/thigh(?), but I'm not an anatomy specialist. She may have a dislocation or some type of fracture or break to that joint.

You can find poultry vitamins at your local feed store. I personally use Poultry Nutri-Drench, but I have read where a lot of people give good reviews on Rooster Booster Poultry Cell as well. I would say either one would be just fine.

I know it must be a bit overwhelming at times with 2 that need extra TLC. Hang in there, you're doing good!

 

[sam2002]

Sorry I haven't gotten back to you yet/ Chris- the broken foot chicken- is in the coop right now and doing pretty well. Some of the other girls have pecked at her a bit but they are okay with her. Missy, the other one, still strongly favors her right foot, but I don't know what to do about it. Would you still like a picture? I am thinking of just letting her be with a lame leg and reintroducing her to the flock in a few more days. Thanks again!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sorry I haven't gotten back to you yet/ Chris- the broken foot chicken- is in the coop right now and doing pretty well. Some of the other girls have pecked at her a bit but they are okay with her. Missy, the other one, still strongly favors her right foot, but I don't know what to do about it. Would you still like a picture? I am thinking of just letting her be with a lame leg and reintroducing her to the flock in a few more days. Thanks again!

Sure! I'm always up for pictures

I'm glad to hear Chris is doing well.

As for Missy, you know what you are seeing with her. If you feel like she is strong enough to start the integration process, then try it. I would recommend that you try a "see-but-don't-touch" method of integration since she has been separated for so long. Then see how is goes. If she does o.k. then leave her be, you can always bring her back in if need be.

I commend you on your care and dedication to these two girls. You have done a good job, I hope all goes well.