The Poultry Keeper

Lisa · Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2005 10:49 am Post subject:

Glad to hear she's drinking well - fingers crossed for continued improvement Razz

The cat food was probably recommended for its protein content (NB for the record it is illegal to put meat or fish in chicken food in the UK, but obviously DEFRA don't know chickens are *not* vegetarian, but that's another thread Wink

).

If you do not want to / choose not to use meat, alternatives would be things like mashed up boiled or scrambled egg, sunflower seeds etc. Mine love sprouted sunflower seeds as a treat. It softens them and makes them much more nutritious and more digestible (soak for 4 hours, rinse and drain, then rinse every 4-8 hours, use within a few days). You can sprout the grey, hulled ones you get in health food shops...

bird_babe · Joined: 20 Apr 2005 Posts: 473 Location: wales

Glad to hear your hens a little better . keep her in and warm
don`t rush to put her back out let her regain her strength
she will do better with out the competition from your other girls
we all like a little spoiling when were under the weather.
good luck hope she gets better soon.

CP · Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:00 pm Post subject:

Sorry to hear about your hen jooles. Sad

I hope she continues to improve now she's been drinking & eating a little. Wink

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Lisa, I know that it is illegal for you to feed meat to chickens over there...but a vet from there gave me that advice when my flock started getting poorly. That is why I posted it. (Rachel got me in contact with him when I was at the end of my rope once. Bless her. He saved my flock.)

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Hi Jooles

Just wanted to add my best wishes for you poorly chook.

The drinking on her own is a great sign! I think you're going to see a positive outcome!
Don't forget scrambled egg - that's another good one for poorly chooks!!! you can mix it with milk if you need to syringe feed it!

The other thing that I used to tempt my sick chooks was to add a worm or similar wriggling object to some pellets or similar! They just don't seem to be able to resist!!!!

Keeping my fingers crossed for you

Debs

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I'm pleaed to hear Rosie seems to be improving ~ as you've been advised, just let her take her own time and get really strong before she has to face the rigours of outside life again. Good luck

jooles · Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 3:11 pm Post subject:

Just an update - I'm pleased to say that Rosie was really perky on Saturday morning and was strutting about my office like she owned the place. So, as the weather turned considerably milder, I put her back in with the others and she seems to be back to normal. I'll still keep an eye on her to make sure she's eating enough, but when I put their treats out yesterday afternoon she was chasing around with the others after the best bits.

I hope it's not too soon, but I'm breathing a sigh of relief. Thank you all for your help. Very Happy

debcat · Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 3:21 pm Post subject:

glad she's better and back out with the others Very Happy

NannyP · Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 3:27 pm Post subject:

Great news, well done Jooles Very Happy

CP · Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 5:18 pm Post subject:

Thats very good news jooles. Glad she's better. Very Happy

Lisa · Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 5:26 pm Post subject:

Lovely to hear your good news. Thanks for the update.

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Brill news!!!
I'm sure she is fine - if she is calling the shots!!! LOL

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

that really good ~ hope she continues to be well.

jaydee67 · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 1:01 am Post subject:

Good news - hope she keeps up the good work!

Krazey · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 6 Location: Creuse, France

Hi! Just joined the forum so I hope you don't mind me butting in.
How is your chook coming along? Fine I hope?
If she is OK have you tried to introduce her back into the flock? I have found it better to put the hens back in after dark when the others have settled for the night. This way they get used to her smell and it gives her a chance to adjust to them before the "onslaught" of the day. I have found that if they are introduced during the day they get lost and can't find their way back to the pen in the evening. Also there is more of a risk of the others rejecting her.
Hope this helps
Krazey