Quick pick me up needed - urgent

[dexterdoglancashire]

I'm looking after my nephews chook while he builds her a new house.
She arrived last night. I'm keeping her separate from my girls as the noise and fuss they made when they saw her earlier today wasn't good.

I handled her a couple of times today, but noticed she is very light in weight and her comb is very pale pink.

I gave her the same hot mash as my girls this morning but she hasn't touched it. She has eaten a few pellets but really likes her corn I gave her at teatime.

I don't know how long I'll be looking after her, but think she needs a quick pick-me-up. Any ideas?

Many thanks.
Bernie

[MaureenHall]

If she's on her own, is she lonely? Could you put her with a couple of your girls to cheer her up and encourage her to feed more? Has she got lice or mites or worms? They can get a chook down big time! I'd give her some poultry spice or a general tonic in her food, worm her and give her lots of attention. Good luck hun xx

[dexterdoglancashire]

Thanks Auntie Mo for your advice.
I also forgot to add, does anyone have a subtle ideas as how to tell my nephew that I don't think she is as healthy as she could be?

[MaureenHall]

Suggest he gets her some companions! When she goes home, she'll have picked up healthwise so tell him that she really does need company to keep her looking that good

[RichmondHens]

I wouldn't feed her anything different than what she is used to. Just the stress of being in a different coop may put her off her food anyway. If she is not used to hot mash then quite likely she will not eat it. Also is she the only hen your nephew has? It's not good to keep a bird on its own for very long. She may be under the weather because she has been pining for company. A little extra corn won't hurt her but don't overdo it.

[RichmondHens]

You beat me to it Maureen!

[Suechooks]

Try some cooked egg with live yoghurt and a pinch of poultry spice - wonderful for under-the-weather chooks

[dexterdoglancashire]

She has a rabbit for company at home. I believe he ran out of pellets so she has been eating rabbit food . I don't know how long for though.

[Glutton4...]

She has a rabbit for company at home. I believe he ran out of pellets so she has been eating rabbit food . I don't know how long for though.

Sorry Hun, but he doesn't deserve to have her back!

[lettucegrow!]

Good job you have her now, she'd have faded away!

[Snadger]

Put a bit of 'Spice' in her life!!

[its hilly]

Hmm, how old is he?
If hes only young then a comment along the lines of 'she looked under the weather so I wormed, deloused and gave her a pick me up of..., Just as I would have if she was mine. Oh and when are mum and dad giving you a couple more, cos chickens are flock birds and its not very nice to keep them alone, would you like her to stay with her new pals 'till they get you a pal for her.' If he says that shes got a rabbit for company point out that he would be very unhappy if he didnt ever have any human friends, just a rabbit for company.
More to the point why talk to him, if hes young then mum and dad should be supervising, if not why not? Tell them.
If he's older, then just say firmly, 'By the way Ive just deloused etc as she didnt seem too happy, dont forget you'll need to do her again in x days time'

[tlck9]

If he says that shes got a rabbit for company point out that he would be very unhappy if he didnt ever have any human friends, just a rabbit for company.

having had a rabbit as a friend, perhaps not the best line to use, if he's a bit lonely himself!

If he's older, then just say firmly, 'By the way Ive just deloused etc as she didnt seem too happy, dont forget you'll need to do her again in x days time'

I would suggest to him that she doesnt seem very happy, seems the rabbit food may be upsetting her. etc etc much as the other comments really