My Chicken is Not Eating

[Millie Molly.Chooks]

Hi,
I have two chickens. One has recently been behaving strangely and I am unsure of what is wrong with her. A few weeks ago she got into the seed bag and overate. It looked like she had a full crop afterwards and we massaged but now she doesn't eat seed at all. She will eat cooked rice and peck at grated apple but that is about it. She is not egg bound as she has not been laying regularly for a few months. Her comb is now going a pale pink and she is acting depressed. She isn't pooing much but when she does her poo is a creamy liquid. We have given her yoghurt with cinnamon, olive oil and water through a dropper but she is free range and is still scratching in the garden. Today I found her sitting under a bush by herself. We have also had some very hot days recently. I am not sure if she has worms, mites (we are about to treat for this) or is heat exhausted. Could someone please give some advice as to what to do for my poor girl!!

 

[Babybunnies2017]

I had a situation with one of my seramas last summer where she had an impaction in her digestive tract. I'm no expert on chicken health by any means, but in my panic I did a bit of research on sour crop and impactions. The only advice I can think of as far as diagnosis is to check her breath (does it smell worse than normal chicken breath?) and gently feel around her abdomen for any lumps.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

I've learned it's helpful knowing your location. The Southern Hemisphere, I'm guessing?

Unless the temperatures are extreme, what you're describing doesn't sound heat related.

How old is she?

 

[Latestarter]

Greetings and welcome to BYC. Sorry you're having an issue with one of your girls. Glad you've decided to join us none the less. Please do put at least your general location in your profile as it normally has a huge bearing on recommendations when asking for help. I can't offer any help in your circumstances, but hope you figure it out and she recovers.

 

[Millie Molly.Chooks]

I had a situation with one of my seramas last summer where she had an impaction in her digestive tract. I'm no expert on chicken health by any means, but in my panic I did a bit of research on sour crop and impactions. The only advice I can think of as far as diagnosis is to check her breath (does it smell worse than normal chicken breath?) and gently feel around her abdomen for any lumps.

Hi again,
My chicken doesn't have any lumps around her abdomen but we may have found a hard lump near her chest. Do you think it is a blockage? She has been wandering around the garden today but still is a bit flat. We are trying to give her a bit of oil and see what that will do. Can you please suggest anything else? If not thanks for the advice!

 

[Millie Molly.Chooks]

I've learned it's helpful knowing your location. The Southern Hemisphere, I'm guessing?

Unless the temperatures are extreme, what you're describing doesn't sound heat related.

How old is she?

She is almost four years. We got her as a pullet in 2014.

 

[Millie Molly.Chooks]

Hi everyone,

I just put both chickens to bed. She is still not interested in the seed but was pecking at some grass before. We will give her some more rice. Any more comments are welcome!

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Millie Molly Chooks,

It is very possible that your little girl is suffering from several health issues.

I urge you to take her to a Veterinarian, as soon as possible. But, if that is not an option, then, here are some of the things I hear in your post, and what I think.

I seems her problems became evident a few weeks ago, as you said, when she over filled her crop with seed. Then, it seemed you resolved the problem.

• Her appetite is low: She will eat cooked rice and peck at grated apple but that is about it. She is becoming overwhelmed by her symptoms.

• She is not egg bound, this is good.

• Has not been laying regularly for a few months.

• Her comb is now going a pale pink - this could be due to Molting time, Heat exhaustion, parasites (internal and/or external) Fecal float test, then treat.

• she is acting depressed - common response to illness

• She isn't pooing much - this is because she is not eating enough

• Poo is a creamy liquid -Not enough information (what color, how often?) Most likely intestinal upset, possible reproductive infection, lingering crop issue -check each morning for emptying, or worms - treat, I would also, add nutritional yeast (for needed B vitamins) to food twice a week for three weeks to improve health and resistance.

• Because you have had very hot days recently, and the hen is not well, heat fatigue should be addressed. Electrolytes in water for 2 days.

Supportive care - feed watermelon, cooked whole grains: brown or wild rice, oat groats, pearl barley, cooked diced meat (1 tablespoon), fresh greens.

It is good that she still has the energy to free range and is still scratching in the garden. She may also, be heat fatigued which is why you found her sitting under a bush by herself. We also have extreme heat during the Summer, here in Southern California. So, I use a misting system and box fans to provide a cool zone for the chickens that are sensitive to the heat. Both are inexpensive solutions, and along with extra shade tarps, the hens do fine.

If her health does not improve after basic care: worming, vitamins, crop care, heat care, then her issue may more involved. And you will need the help of a Vet.

These are my thoughts, based on your information. I hope they are helpful. You will get advice from other members, please consider these too.

God Bless!

 

[Millie Molly.Chooks]

Greetings Millie Molly Chooks,

It is very possible that your little girl is suffering from several health issues.

I urge you to take her to a Veterinarian, as soon as possible. But, if that is not an option, then, here are some of the things I hear in your post, and what I think.

I seems her problems became evident a few weeks ago, as you said, when she over filled her crop with seed. Then, it seemed you resolved the problem.

• Her appetite is low: She will eat cooked rice and peck at grated apple but that is about it. She is becoming overwhelmed by her symptoms.

• She is not egg bound, this is good.

• Has not been laying regularly for a few months.

• Her comb is now going a pale pink - this could be due to Molting time, Heat exhaustion, parasites (internal and/or external) Fecal float test, then treat.

• she is acting depressed - common response to illness

• She isn't pooing much - this is because she is not eating enough

• Poo is a creamy liquid -Not enough information (what color, how often?) Most likely intestinal upset, possible reproductive infection, lingering crop issue -check each morning for emptying, or worms - treat, I would also, add nutritional yeast (for needed B vitamins) to food twice a week for three weeks to improve health and resistance.

• Because you have had very hot days recently, and the hen is not well, heat fatigue should be addressed. Electrolytes in water for 2 days.

Supportive care - feed watermelon, cooked whole grains: brown or wild rice, oat groats, pearl barley, cooked diced meat (1 tablespoon), fresh greens.

It is good that she still has the energy to free range and is still scratching in the garden. She may also, be heat fatigued which is why you found her sitting under a bush by herself. We also have extreme heat during the Summer, here in Southern California. So, I use a misting system and box fans to provide a cool zone for the chickens that are sensitive to the heat. Both are inexpensive solutions, and along with extra shade tarps, the hens do fine.

If her health does not improve after basic care: worming, vitamins, crop care, heat care, then her issue may more involved. And you will need the help of a Vet.

These are my thoughts, based on your information. I hope they are helpful. You will get advice from other members, please consider these too.

God Bless!

Thank you so much! This is great advice. I'll follow it up.

 

[Millie Molly.Chooks]

Thanks everyone for your help. My chicken is feeling so much better. Her comb is bright red and she is eating lots of seed! I actually think that she was molting but everyone's advice really helped. She certainly go lots of love and attention!