Feeding an adopted chicken

[Enderchicken222]

Hey there, earlier today while I was walking by Lydgate beach I spotted a young chicken, seemingly a cockerel, lying strangely. I approached and once I got within a yard it got up and stumbled away. It can barely walk, as it tries to step forward it trips and falls. Later, I grabbed it and kept it wrapped in a spare shirt to keep it calm. We’ve played it in an old cage and I’ve placed water and food in the cage. It knows about the water, I’ve seen it drink some, but it doesn’t seem to recognize the food. Any thoughts on teaching it? I can always bring it insects, but that will be time consuming and ineffective. Thanks for the help!

The foods in the bowl in the middle, the water in the corner.

Ps: The chicken is relatively docile, it doesn’t freak out by your presence, so long as you don’t get super close, like touching distance.

 

[JedJackson]

What are you feeding it? That makes a lot of difference. If it's standard feed, try wetting a little and seeing if that helps. Boiled egg might be a good idea, too, as it is packed with nutrients and chickens like it.

To be honest, this bird sounds like it might have a serious disease from the symptoms you describe. There may be little you can do beyond keeping it safe and comfortable.

 

[Enderchicken222]

What are you feeding it? That makes a lot of difference. If it's standard feed, try wetting a little and seeing if that helps. Boiled egg might be a good idea, too, as it is packed with nutrients and chickens like it.

To be honest, this bird sounds like it might have a serious disease from the symptoms you describe. There may be little you can do beyond keeping it safe and comfortable.

I think it may be sick. It’s standard feed, I wet it to make it more palatable. I don’t know if it was an illusion, but just now when it opened it’s eye it looked like a worm was swimming there. It may have just been water or something moving in a deceptive way, but I’m not sure. At the least I can keep it warm and safe.

 

[JedJackson]

I think it may be sick. It’s standard feed, I wet it to make it more palatable. I don’t know if it was an illusion, but just now when it opened it’s eye it looked like a worm was swimming there. It may have just been water or something moving in a deceptive way, but I’m not sure. At the least I can keep it warm and safe.

It is likely sick. I am not sure about the eye worm-- could just be a little mucous. My advice it to post the bird's symptoms in this forum: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures.10/

Also, if you have other chickens, keep this bird away from them.

 

[Folly's place]

Poor little guy! Keep it totally away from your birds!
Mary

 

[Enderchicken222]

It is likely sick. I am not sure about the eye worm-- could just be a little mucous. My advice it to post the bird's symptoms in this forum: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures.10/

Also, if you have other chickens, keep this bird away from them.

Ok, thanks. I will. Also, I own no other birds so it’ll be fine.

 

[annaBsChick]

He looks sick, why don't you bring him to see a vet? Here is a link to a directory of vets who see chickens.

 

[Enderchicken222]

He looks sick, why don't you bring him to see a vet? Here is a link to a directory of vets who see chickens.

We only found him about 20 hours ago, he’s wild, not ours. I’ll look for a vet that operates on Kauai, there has to be at least one.

 

[Enderchicken222]

Never mind,

He looks sick, why don't you bring him to see a vet? Here is a link to a directory of vets who see chickens.

there’s none on Kauai, only on Honolulu.