Feeding advice for bantams (one broody, one moulting)

[Ames76]

Hi,

Am new to the forum & not sure how it works, but my chicken Bette, has been incredibly despondent since the start of the warm weather (about 2 weeks), she won't eat much at all & now has chronic diarrhoea. She's not laying & just sits staring into space & rocking as she's really weak. She's drinking a bit, but not much.

I have another chicken, Cilla, and she's perfectly fine & has been running around helping me gardening.

I would welcome any advice at all. Thank you.

[Redwing]

Hi and welcome, sorry its a sad first post for you

 

I can't help much but I do know some of the questions you will be asked on here:

 

When was she last wormed? what was she wormed with?

How old is she?

When did she last lay an egg?

When she does eat goes her crop empty overnight?

Any wheezing/Sneezing?

What is her poo like? (sorry!)

 

Knowing the answers to some or all of these questions will help someone offer advice

 

In the meantime keep an eye on her and separate her and bring her in the warm in a cardboard box if she looks really poorly

 

Hopefully someone will be along with some advice soon

[Ames76]

Hi & thanks for responding so quickly. I got her in July last year from Omlet, so I'm not sure how old she is (although I think she was about 6 weeks when I got her - so that would make her around 10 months I guess), or if she's been wormed. She last laid about 2 weeks ago, but I didn't think much of it as I had a tree cut down in my garden & thought that could have upset her. Her crop doesn't really feel full at any point - she's not really eating enough. No sneezing that I've noticed. Her poo is very runny & yellow, although when I first thought she wasn't right, she did a poo that looked like a piece of cooked chicken (wrong I know, but that's the only way I can describe it!).

I've brought her inside now with some food & water in a large cardboard box, so am going to keep an eye on her.

Thanks, A

[Egluntyne]

I would worm her with Flubenvet to be on the safe side. The poo that looked like a bit of cooked chicken could have actually been a blip in the laying department. It sounds like what is known as a 'lash', which are best described as eggs gone wrong.

[chelsea]

I would definitely worm her but she sounds quite poorly (weak, dihorrea etc) so if it were me I would take my hen if it was like that to the vet.

 

Hope she perks up soon.

[Budgies]

So sorry that you're having these problems with your poorly girl.

 

I would also recommend that you try and see a vet with her, as she's been unwell for a while. They're good at hiding things but if she's losing weight and condition it's probably gone beyond home remedies I'm afraid.

 

Also, if it's an infectious illness, you will want to protect your well chicken.

[Ames76]

Thanks to all for your advice, but after bringing her inside & keeping her warm, unfortunately she didn't make it through the night. Poor little love. I guess she was a lot worse than I had thought. Hopefully the fact that I separated her from my other chicken will save any problems with her...

[Budgies]

Sorry to hear that.

 

It goes without saying that you'll want to keep a sharp eye out for similar symptoms in your other little lady, especially if you'll be bringing in new chooks to keep her company.

 

Good luck!

[Egluntyne]

Very sorry to hear it.