Wry Neck in my Adult Silkie

[DWilkins]

Can you post a photo of the feed bag? What is the percentage protein? How do you supply it? Ie open hanging feeder or no spill gravity feeder for them to eat as much as they want or do you throw a measured amount on the ground or ferment it and feed it to them from a pan? With such a feed, it can make a significant difference.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Do I understand correctly that you only feed scratch grains and not a formulated feed? If so, then it may well be a vitamin deficiency. Scratch is lacking in many essential nutrients and is also low in protein, Added to that some birds will selectively eat certain components of the scratch and not others ie. pick out their favourite bits, and that can lead to an even greater imbalance.

 

[Eggcessive]

I use Kalmbach Layer pellets normally, but have switched to 20% Purina Flock Raiser for winter since no one is laying. I have used Purina, Nutrina, and Dumor layer pellets, and most are very similar in composition. Even my bantams do well with the pellets, and the crumbles tend to compact in my hanging feeders.

 

[rebrascora]

That is only 10% protein and just scratch, which is a somewhat contentious treat but should definitely not be fed as their main source of food.
I was half expecting you were perhaps giving them a grain mix complete feed like Scratch and Peck which I still have reservations about, but this is much worse especially feeding it free choice. You could sprout those grains which would improve it as a winter treat but the majority of their feed should be a formulated feed (either a layer or grower/all flock with crushed oyster shells offered in a separate dish) and if you just have 2 chickens then a small bag is better because the vitamins break down over time so you really want to use each bag of feed within a couple of weeks.

 

[rebrascora]

Be prepared for them to go on strike when you change to a pellet or crumble. These birds have been living on "fast food" and they will not take kindly to having to eat boring proper food.
You will need to tough it out, but it is for their own good.

 

[DWilkins]

Thank you both for everything! I will be getting some better feed for them tomorrow.I googled some Elevators in an around the area that carry chicken feed.I am devastated that I have been pretty much starving my babies.In your opinion,with what you know about the feed,Can I get Lexi back to health?



Is this a better food? It's only 16% protein.

 

[rebrascora]

Not so much starving as giving them junk food on a daily basis and making them unhealthy. I would give her a good quality Poultry vitamin supplement and the formulated feed and not be tempted to give any treats ie scratch, corn, bread etc for a month or two and then only a very small amount. There may be stuff going on internally that is not apparent. Liver damage for example can occur and no symptoms show until it is too late, but hopefully with a balanced diet from here on in, they will improve.

 

[DWilkins]

This is 18% protein

 

[DWilkins]

This is 21% protein

 

[rebrascora]

I would go for the 18% All flock but you will need to provide them with a separate source of calcium in a small dish near to the feeder where they can help themselves when they need it. Usually this is in the form of crushed oyster shell but you can also offer them dried, crushed egg shells, which they usually take more readily either scattered on the ground in their pen once or twice a week or in a separate dish. The reason for this is that laying hens need calcium to make egg shells. All Flock does not contain as much calcium as layer feed so they will need a supplementary source of it.