Blind hen, won’t eat

[Rodeogirl28]

I have a hen that was a rescue, she was already blind in one eye and recently got into an accident that caused blindness in her other eye. She’s too timid to walk far, and won’t eat or drink, even when shown food/water. How can I go about getting food/water into her? Would tube feeding be a good option?

 

[GlicksChicks]

Tube feeding would be a good idea. You can do the tube feeding as well as some sensory training to teach her where food and water is. Try tapping the food with your finger each day to help her learn where the food is. And try splashing the water around a little bit. Also try dipping her beak into the water and food after making those sounds so she knows what they are.

She is a newly blind hen, most likely with new surroundings, so she needs to learn where things are so she can eat and drink. Her confidence with walking will most likely grow as she gets more used to being blind. It would be best not to move the food or water into different places or she will get confused and have to learn again.

You could also put some herbs into her food to give it an identifiable smell, as well as something like ACV in her water. Those could help her find the food/water as well.