Well, my chickens don't eat and I've been here before...

[SilkieNation]

My chickens aren't eating again and they've stopped laying. Diarrhea too, although that seems to be improving. Fecals were negative. Had blood work done too. No symptoms except that they don't eat, don't lay and had diarrhea. My current theory is that I gave them too many treats, and then I was going nuts with all sorts of healthy stuff trying to get them to eat. Wouldn't touch 5 kinds of organic greens, peas, grapes, berries, yogurt, scrambled eggs, turkey, cat food, oatmeal, pumpkin, meal worms, black soldier larvae and more... I guess they ate some fresh corn. I gave up. Now it's the big starve out. Three kinds of feed including Scratch N' Peck, and organic pellets and crumbles. Today I gave them a handful of meal worms because I can't bear the empty crops day after day. They ate them. Maybe that's a sign of improvement because they wouldn't touch them last week. They are drinking - several varieties of water - garlic, vinegar, vitamins and electrolytes and yesterday I got some nutri-drench. Big, clean coop, decent sized run, some free range (they will eat grass and bugs). Now they are starting to molt (I hope it's molting).

This happened in June and I went all out with homeopathics and general care, had fecals done - negative, wormed anyway. One day they started eating again. Is there some virus that wouldn't show up in the blood work? Did I mess up their digestive tracks so much that it's taking weeks to re-balance? My avian vet doesn't have a clue. In June I brought one in and we thought it might be Marek's. I brought the scruffiest bird in a couple of weeks ago and he gave her a thorough exam. He doesn't think it's Marek's. He said the only thing to do next would be imaging, which we both agreed is a bit over the top! Why won't my chickens eat!! It's pretty awful, really.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If you have had blood work and fecals done then you've done the right thing. If they come back negative DON'T treat.
If a bird has worms, they'll eat more, not less.

It sounds like time to go back to basics.
Meal worms are OK but quit with all the other things. I assume they're not laying eggs so just provide a good grower feed.
A probiotic powder in the water may help.

What breeds? what ages? what symptoms other than scruffy?
What living conditions? housing, pen, free range, bedding, ventilation, etc..

 

[SilkieNation]

I have gone back to basics - just feed, but a variety - Scratch n Peck layer, Dumor layer crumbles and Feather Maker pellets (small). Chick grit and oyster shell. Fresh water always with the additives I noted. They are drinking. Housing is great - a room off of my garage with three windows, pine shavings over rubber mats, some straw, and fans in the heat, dry, a dirt run about 10 x 16 partially covered with reed fencing for shade.

I only have three silkie hens right now, between 2-3 years old. They were all laying. No other symptoms. Free range only when I am right there, because I have hawks. There's nothing I can figure that's causing this.

 

[enola]

How long has it been since you bought a new bag of feed? Do you look at your lable to see when it was milled? If there is any mold they will be VERY picky about eating it.

 

[JanetS]

Try this: Take their crumble and put some in a separate bowl/plate and add some water to make a mush. Our chickens think they are getting a great treat when its their regular food. Good luck. Please keep us posted.



Buying a new bag of feed is a good idea.

 

[SilkieNation]

The crumbles and feather maker are new. The scratch n peck is about 5-6 weeks old and a new bag is in the mail - I should receive it today or tomorrow. All feed is kept dry in containers. I have fermented it as well, no interest. I have ground it up with greens, peas, and other goodies in my food processor, no interest. Their environment is very dry. I even rake their run out and clean up the coop every, single day. I can tell you that I have tried everything and I read a lot and believe that I am doing the right things. It is incredibly frustrating and sad, because I love my little fluff balls. My vet is frustrated too and I do think he is a very good vet. This has been going on for weeks, with a few bites here and there, I guess enough to keep them alive, but they are losing weight, as I do weigh them.

 

[JanetS]

Try adding the water to the crumbles to make some mush. Do you have any of their eggs left? Scramble them up and try feeding this to them.

You can also move this thread to the Emergencies/Diseases/Injuries and Cures section for more help. Good luck.