What to Feed a Chicken Who Won't Eat???

[HollyWoozle]

I always used to go just for scrambled egg but recently I have two poorly hens who would pick at it but not consume much. I read that chopped raw liver is very nutritious and today I discovered that my two poorly hens LOVE it if I cut it into little strips... I guess it looks like worms! They come alive for it, despite being quite unwell, and I hope that it will give them some strength. I hope your chook recovers well.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Chickens are voracious eaters and a chicken that age that won't eat is very sick.
If you are seeing lice or mites on your birds, I would tackle that first and DE may be a deterrent but won't solve the problem. They need something like permethrin spray or 5% Sevin dust (carbaryl).
Eating is important but it won't cure the blood sucking creatures that are sending them downhill.
Electrolytes won't help. Most feed stores carry Nutri-Drench. It is a blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and molasses for energy that hits the bloodstream in 10 minutes or less. Anything else they eat will require digestion which could be too late.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

Thanks @ChickenCanoe I will try and get the Nutridrench from TSC. Jo has been doing a bit better, sneaking little bits of eggs from the dish, but she's still pretty lethargic.

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

These can be found at Tractor Supply to if you want to try these.

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

I do hope she'll feel better.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

lethargic and won't eat

treating my flock for mites, not any medication, just DE and baths

She is a year or a year and a half

I can feel some of her bones and to me it does feel a bit water balloonish.

I agree, get rid of the mites. You can find Permethrin poultry spray or dust at Tractor Supply along with Poultry Nutri-Drench. I would not give her a full bath if she is in bad shape, that may send her over the edge.
You mention that her abdomen does feel a bit like a water balloon? When is the last time she laid an egg?

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

I have no clue when she last laid an egg. SHe seemed to improve yesterday and hopped up onto the roost under her own power. Hopefully, she's still doing good this morning.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Have you treated the lice and mites?
Is she improving?

Good luck

Gary

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have no clue when she last laid an egg. SHe seemed to improve yesterday and hopped up onto the roost under her own power. Hopefully, she's still doing good this morning.

I'm glad she's feeling a bit better. Let us know how she's doing.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

She's doing better, has slowed down now that it's hot outside, but followed me around - slowly - this morning. I found some stuff that is close to what @RhodeIslandRed5 posted a picture of and put it in her water. Her breathing is definitely better. I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but I compared her abdomen to a hen of similar age. It was only a tiny bit "squishier" than the other hen.