Skinny Hen

cuwiar

cuwiar

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Hello, our Rhode Rock is getting very skinny and I'm worried! I posted on here before and I'm sure she's lost weight since then. It's not a dramatic weight loss just gradual.

She is eating what seems like plenty, goes to bed with a full crop, wakes up with an empty one. Poos are all as normal as they ever are, generally pretty firm - occassionaly some partly digested food but think that applies to the other two also. She's lively, happy, chatty, loves to be out and about foraging, top hen. Have given small amounts of pro-biotic yoghurt but not for a week or so, so will get some more today.

But she is getting smaller I'm sure, the others are getting bigger which makes it deceiving but her breastbone is very prominant and she doesn't seem to weigh much!

She's laying about 5 days out of 6 so at least she gets a little break.

Next worming is due March but I plan to bring it forward to a weekend when we are away in Feb (means no free-ranging so ideal time to worm)

I also think the other two are testing the water with a spot of feather pecking on her fluffy, bottom feathers. She is looking scruffy around there and when I ruffle through I have seen a couple of blood spots. Don't think it's the start of the moult as I haven't seen any loose feathers and have seen a couple of snatches made by the others. Have got some pecking spray (she doesn't preen much so shouldn't worry her) and the others have loads of types of food to entertain them (dry mash, wet pellets, pecking blocks, hanging greens - all sorts). Could the feather pecking be because they detect a weakness?

Does anyone have any suggestions?? :(
 
How old is she Cuwiar? Part digested food can be due to a lack of grit, assuming she is getting plenty of exercise. We've had that problem since we restricted the grit because of one Orpington who was addicted to it and ate nothing else.
 
She must only be 8 or 9 months - I've seen her eating the grit we provide (ad lib in a hopper and also sprinkled around the coop or outside. I'll start adding some to the food - maybe??

She gets a fair amount of excercise, out all day at weekends and the three are in 5m x 1.5m run the rest of the week, she doesn't sit still all day - strutting back and forth.

Could it be stress? She is always desperate to get out into the garden whenever she sees you approach. Could it be that she's stressing about being in a run all day? I try to provide as much entertainment as I can to relieve boredom...
 
Well genuine Black Rocks go crazy when they are in a cage Cuwiar, we had 4. Spend the whole morning trying to get out of it. But they have been selectively bred over time to be good forragers and are therefore specifically free range birds only. So it might be stress induced by being in a cage, but your run is big enough. Perhaps she will settle down in time. Some hens are just prone to being over-excitable, we've had two Crested Cream Legbars like that.
 
Black Rocks/ Rhode Rocks are no different to any other hybrids. While they all like to be out foraging, BR's will tolerate confinement OK.
If you are worried about the weight loss, I suggest finding a way to accurately weigh her so you can monitor it weekly but I suspect that if she's laying that her weight may well be within normal limits as she's eating and looking OK. They are like us and vary somewhat in size and stamp.
 
Thanks for your advice Chris and Chuck, I'll try and get an acurate way to weigh her so that I can be sure.

I really hope she does settle into her run environment otherwise I've no idea what we'll do!! When she first lived in the run it was smaller and she didn't seem to mind at all - now we've extended the run and given her more free-range time she just wants more! The grass is always greener syndrome! Except in this case there is no grass!

I'm also hoping that as the days get longer she gets to eat more to help build her weight.
 
Do you hang veggies up in the run Cuwiar to occupy them? I do this most days, especially if the weather is wet and they don't want to go outside their covered run. I hang it by string from the roof, usually broccoli, green cabbage or lettuce. The broccoli keeps them occupied the longest, but the lettuce is gone in minutes!
 
I do Sue!

I feel like I'm failing here! On Friday morning I checked Ebrill (the skinny one) and nearly all her fluffy knicker feathers have gone!! She's oven-ready underneath!! :shock:

I had got some spray last Monday and so was kicking myself for not using it sooner. I sprayed her on Friday and again over the weekend but I know who the culprit is. It's Mehefin, the girl who came into lay just on Wednesday, or Thursday, I forget! But I wonder if it the fact she started laying that's set her off with the feather pecking. She was previously very nervous and wouldn't let us touch her but now her instincts make her squat (much more readily than the other two - in fact I only have to cough and she's practically flat on the floor!) and she's much less hand shy but I can tell she's still nervous when she squats as there's lots of foot stomping and her tail goes almost right under her, so I try not to worry her by touching her too much but I find a gentle stroke and she settles down. Fortunately it's still only feather pulling - no blood has been drawn - yet!

I try to do everything to entertain them during the day. They have their pellet porridge with goodies in the morning, then pellets available throughout the day but I'm now introducing mash. They have green cabbage in a hanging basket and/or broccoli strung up everyday. They have a boredom buster block to peck at and their special kongy things full of treats to kick around. I bought them some maggots at the weekend to up their protein and I'm now making sure Eb gets a scrambled egg in the morning to help keep her weight up. They have a nice dry dusty area which they use and they have a cat food timer with corn in that opens at 4pm - they have it all! Except CD's, I haven't tried them yet!

Eb's still hanging on to top hen status but she's losing confidence and I'm worried her bare bottom will get very cold with these arctic blasts we have forecast!

I'm going to carry on with a small amount of warm pellet porridge in the mornings but I'm only leaving them with mash to eat now (and their greens/hanging things and kongs) in the hope that this occupies Mehefin for longer in the day. I can't see it's just boredom that's started this as she even has a little peck when their out free ranging - I think shes gunning for the throne!

I read a guide from DEFRA that says feather pecking can be induced by change but I can't put my finger on anything drastic that could have started this! :-)19
 
Hormones in a young hen stimulate the laying process, this process also changes the dynamic in a flock, as a laying hen usually becomes elevated in the pecking order by her value to a flock. This may have initially started a bit of disturbance which in a smaller number of birds has more of an impact than say a laying flock of 20.

If you need to make a lot of effort to maintain the weight of a hen then I fear something is wrong. This is when all the initial causes have been addressed, e.g. moulting, issues with access to feeders and possibly high parasitic load, although a high parasitic load will usually have more of an impact when there already is an underlying problem. This time of year I wouldn't be too concerned about worms although worming will not do any harm. Things you can do to improve gut health...Beryls, ACV in water and another useful product is "Oregostim"

To check her weight, check her against her flock mates...the keel bone (breast bone) should be easy to feel in hybrids, but not "sharp". Check under her legs and through to her pelvis, if her pelvic cradle is sharply prominent then she is seriously underweight, again check this against her flock mates.

Have they been vaccinated btw?
 
As far as I know they had been vaccinated, we got them from a hobby breeder/seller who got them in turn from a commercial farmer who I believe had vaccinated them - although I couldn't reel off what for now, I was a bit blinded by science! I'll give the lady a ring to double check.

When comparing her breast bone to the others it doesn't feel too bad compared to one but then it does feel quite prominant compared to the other. They are all different hybrids so I'm not sure if they should all feel the same?? I will have a feel of her pelvic bone tonight.

Her attitude to us has changed a lot since the other two came into lay too - she used to squat when we approached her but she tends to leg it more often now!

Will order some of the gut tonics you suggest tonight too. She definitely doesn't have issues with accessing food - not as far as I see - she's usually right in there and still tells the other two off now and again.
 
Hi Cuwiar. Would say the feather pecking has been prompted by need for extra intake for laying- the extra maggot protein will assist with re-feathering as well. Some carry more weight than others so the fact that she feels thinner isn't necessarily an issue. Saw some Warrens on Sunday. Some were just feathered bones and still laying and happy. Perhaps a change of feed may help. Or scatter dry mash about and it gives them something to pick at and keeps them occupied in case boredom is an issue.
 
A few missing feathers will not affect her well being. I'd try to relax as you seem to be meeting their needs and I wouldn't change too much.

Once you get into CD's you really will have big problems, one will want classical, one hip hop, some want it loud, some soft, some like to dance too. Try sorting that lot out !
 
My top hen, a rather large silver sussex, has had a bare bottom for years, have tried spray etc. In her case I think the others are getting their own back as she is rather bossy with them. Her skin is pink & healthy, she hasnt had any problems. I did worry about it but she has been 'bare' for 4 years. :roll:
 
Chuck said:
Once you get into CD's you really will have big problems, one will want classical, one hip hop, some want it loud, some soft, some like to dance too. Try sorting that lot out !
Click to expand...

And no chance to tango if you don't keep a cockerel!
 
Chuck said:
Once you get into CD's you really will have big problems, one will want classical, one hip hop, some want it loud, some soft, some like to dance too. Try sorting that lot out !
Click to expand...

:lol: :lol:

Thanks Chuck!

And thanks ncotb, that's re-assured me a little! It's a shame though as she had such nice knickers!

When I checked her yesterday she wasn't any more bald - the few remaining feathers are still there. I gave her another quick spray this morning for good measure though. She doesn't like it and looks behind her with great offence - but I keep telling her it's for her own good and hopefully not for long! I'm going to re-assess the situation at the weekend and start seperating the pecker (oops!!) during the day and letting them mingle in the evening and sleep together - if things haven't improved that is.

I tried to have a feel of her pelvic bone but not really sure what I 'm feeling for. She actually feels like she's got quite a plump bottom, and her underneath feels ok, it's just her breast bone that is prominant - and the fact that she feels like she's shrunk since we got her...
 
She's not doing too well this morning - seemed less interested in eating and went and stood at the end of the run on one leg.

I've ordered these bits from Chicken vet and they arrived today but I won't be able to give her it until Saturday.

Life Long Layer
A natural solution for intestinal health in poultry. This easy to use powder is sprinkled on the food to help maintain normal gut flora and intestinal health. The powder will act as a natural barrier against harmful pathogens such as E.Coli and Salmonella. It is great to use at times of :
*stress
*following illness
*move to a new home
*moulting
*long periods of broodiness
*following weight loss
*an aid to the older/ex battery hen

Chicken Vet LC Energy acts as an energy tonic in critical periods of poultry production. This handy Red Bull (or Red Chicken!) improves digestion and counteracts dehydration of chicks. It also stimulates feed consumption end eliminates metabolic waste when threatened by diseases. During start of lay it supports liver and kidney metabolism to prevent fatty liver disease. It is purely designed as a short term supplement in drinking water at critical times.

Also got some Beryls. But no idea if I'm doing the right things!

Will be thinking about a trip to the vet soon if she carrys on going downhill.

The feather pecking has slowed down but I think there has still been a few attempts.
 
Presume you've tried telling her off and putting her in the naughty corner! We've just has Jessica turn nasty on a new arrival and she has gone into the 'naughty corner', which is a little coop all on her own. Funny, but some like it in there -master of their own domain perhaps. They start making foody noises like a top hen. Daffodil is the same now that she is in the house on her own (when Bottom has gone out).

Just keep at it Cuwiar. Certainly won't do her any harm.
 
Haven't done the seperation trial yet and I'll have to wait until the weekend to sort it out properly. I know the naughty girl will hate it as she'll also be seperate from her little friend - who she doesn't pinch feathers from!

I didn't want to use the spray today - although I think it is helping a bit - as it's so cold and the last thing Eb needs is something liquid sprayed on her poor bald skin!

I'm starting to wonder if she is beginning the moult and maybe the loose feathers instigated the feather pecking - she does look scruffy around her wingpits too but not on top. She's still feathered up on her back and neck.

Poor girl - I hate being in work and not being able to check on her.
 
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