Weak Mama Chicken

[Aklewis]

I have a Chicken that hatched some eggs about 3-1/2 weeks ago and she has been very weak. I was hoping that as she free ranged along with the chick feed I put out for her chicks she would gain her strength and muscle back. She can walk around some but mostly she just wobbles and trips, doing somersaults around the yard trying to keep up with her chicks (there is only two so thankfully they are not all over). What can I do to help her build her strength back up? Could I give her some turkey feed for the extra protein?

 

[Bonniebooboo]

Just my opinion, but I would put her and the chicks in a smaller enclosure where she doesn't have to follow them for awhile, keep high protein food and water close and give her some nutra drench or some electrolytes in water if she is drinking, or by syringe if she isn't by the water where she can drink good. maybe an all flock crumble or growing ration since she shouldn't be laying eggs for a little while. Best to you.

 

[Aklewis]

Would I get some nutra drench from Tractor Supply. I have been keeping her in a smaller enclosure and have been giving her the chick starter that her chicks are eating. she seams to be getting weaker. still drinking and eating, just not able to hold her own weight, which is not much. she is so small, hardly anything to her. would a protein powder help? scrambled eggs? If I gave her the 24% food I give to the turkeys, would that hurt the chicks?

 

[rebrascora]

Broodies are prone to red mite infestations and slow/impacted crop. Both can make them skinny and weak. Check for both and come back to us.

Mites will be in the cracks and crevices of the coop and crawl onto the chickens at night to suck their blood. When broody hens are in the nest 24/7 incubating eggs, the mites have 24 banqueting opportunities and thrive and the population booms and can rapidly overwhelm a broody.

Slow/impacted/pendulous crops can occur because of the long periods of setting and short periods of eating but there is usually a contributing factor like having eaten long grass etc. Check her crop at night and first thing in the morning before she has access to food. If her crop is not completely empty then there is likely a blockage somewhere. Massage and fluids/electrolytes and Nutri Drench would be the initial treatment for that and see how she goes.