Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[the_martian]

We started our chicken family about 3 years ago with 4 goldlines. One by one they have shuffled off this mortal coil and, early Tuesday morning the third one died. Since then, the sole survivor (Peckham) has not left the roost box. She won't come out to feed or drink - thats 4 days now. We've tried leaving water in the roost box and tempting her with raisins (a favourite), but she's just not interested. I don't want to stress her out by taking out of the roost box, but it seems like she's just waiting to die. Is there anything I can do?

[Tweety]

Sorry to hear your sad story. Are you intending to get any more hens? It sounds as if Peckham needs company, hens generally don't thrive on their own and need to be part of a flock, so I would advise getting her some new friends.

If you don't want to get any more hens, do you know anyone with hens who might be able to give her a good home?

 

It is a difficult situation that lots of us will find ourselves in at some stage of our chicken-keeping lives

[the_martian]

We hadn't planned to get more hens just yet, but then we didn't expect to be down to one hen. She must be getting weak without food or water, so I'd be concerned that new hens would be too boisterous for her. Also, its possible that she may not survive until we got new hens. It all feels a a bit bleak.

[Tweety]

Are you sure that she isn't eating and drinking when you're not there? I would take her out of the nest box just to make sure that there is no other reason for her being there eg an injury, or signs of illness and to check on her weight. You could also try giving her Nutridrops.

If you are still concerned after checking her over, perhaps you should take her to see a vet for a professional opinion.

[sandyhas3chucks]

We hadn't planned to get more hens just yet, but then we didn't expect to be down to one hen. She must be getting weak without food or water, so I'd be concerned that new hens would be too boisterous for her. Also, its possible that she may not survive until we got new hens. It all feels a a bit bleak.

new youngsters would not be too boisterous . You should be able to go our tomorrow and get a couple at POL easy enough at this time of year.

[Egghead68]

I think you should take her out and carefully syringe some drops of water into her beak and preferably nutridrops too. You also need to tempt her to eat or get some critical care formula into her.

Is she a hen that likes people? When this happened to us we brought the hen in to live with us for company until we could get her some new friends.

[the_martian]

Many thanks for the replies. Sadly its not a problem any more - Peckham died during the night. I shall clean out the roost today and we'll look at restarting in the autumn. The garden is going to feel very empty without 4 inquisitive hens rummaging around and coming to the back door for their pre-bedtime snack.

[Tweety]

Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear that.

[Egghead68]

Sorry to hear that.