Hen Blind and Not Eating On Own After Coyote Attack--Advice?

[Gezellige_Poes]

To our confoundment, she does not want anything blended, mashed, or baby food consistency. She likes split berries, lettuce, greens, tomatoes, mango, chunks of scrambled egg, and as of today--vegetarian sausage. I think the bigger pieces are easier for her to swallow which seems so weird, but she's very clear what she wants and doesn't. Mashed potatoes with peas sounds so lovely though!

Hahaha, that's what I thought, peas+mashed potatoes = yum! Well, she is certainly a determined girl who knows what she wants. Definitely not a hen "on her way out"! She puts my diet to shame, preferring all this fabulously healthy food!

 

[Gypsi]

I have a blind hen, cataracts both eyes. When she goes off her fed I pop a methyl b12 pill down her throat and she's fine for a month or 2, been blind for almost 2 years. I was doing eye drops but could not save her vision.

 

[chickensinthewoods]

I have a blind hen, cataracts both eyes. When she goes off her fed I pop a methyl b12 pill down her throat and she's fine for a month or 2, been blind for almost 2 years. I was doing eye drops but could not save her vision.

That's very useful to know. Thank you so much!!!

 

[chickensinthewoods]

DAY 17 Silver ate on her own for the first time today!!!! It took a huge amount of persistence on Laurel's part, but she kept tapping the feed tray like another chicken pecking (for like ten minutes straight) and Silver eventually went from scratching to pecking. A few minutes later she actually got some feed into her beak and swallowed. THIS IS HUGE. Definitely some tears all around. Hard to tell if she can see anything, not reactive but her eyes were open the longest I've ever seen and the widest. Laurel had just before swaddled her and given her a breakfast of mealworms, greens, nitrate-free salami and fresh tomato. Amazing. Thanks for all the great feedback.

You might not see another post for a while as I'm heading out of country but Laurel (Silver's owner) will keep up with the chicken rehab as long as Silver keeps responding so well. Fingers crossed!

 

[alinas2010]

Great job Silver! And great persistence Laurel and @chickensinthewoods!

 

[Gezellige_Poes]

Great job Silver! And great persistence Laurel and @chickensinthewoods!

I second the sentiment!