Ex bat seems to be under weight

[tlck9]

Hi All

Picked up 4 ex batts a few weeks ago now, they are doing really well. However in light that they came from a heated barn, quite a bit of their energy will have been going into egg production and keeping warm

I noticed my little rosie feels a bit under weight, she is fine and seems to be eating okay. Her crop isnt quite a full as the others and is quite timid. She does have a small sneeze (no running nose at all), but then most had that came with this batch

However there are 6 feeding stations dotted around to ensure no one gets bullied

Any thoughts on something I could perhaps give her to boost her up, I put poultry spice into a mash and garlic in water, but I was thinking more of something for her especially

[Hans Mum]

if you can seperate her what about pasta mine all love it but they would eat that and not their pellets, but she would still need pellets to get all the nutrients she needs or a handful of corn or mealworms (you can tell my lot a spoilt)

[Suechooks]

Cooked egg and live yoghurt usually go down well - you could mix a bit of pasta in or some corn.

[Glutton4...]

Have you ever seen an ex-batt that's up to weight? All mine have been as light as a feather, and most still are. If I pick one up I'm always amazed at how little they weigh - they wouldn't fill a sarnie!

As above, I'd suggest a few mealworms and some corn, especially if you can isolate her for a few minutes whilst she scoffs them. Maybe some mash (comfort food) - she may be missing it if you've put her on pellets. Hope she perks up soon.

[Bramble-Poultry]

a good all round "perk me up" which we give to all the ex-batts that pass through our hands is some nice wholemeal toast with marmite on it. the B vitamins in it are really good for her

give that a go if you fancy a quick pick me up

[Glutton4...]

a good all round "perk me up" which we give to all the ex-batts that pass through our hands is some nice wholemeal toast with marmite on it. the B vitamins in it are really good for her

give that a go if you fancy a quick pick me up

Share my Marmite? Are you nuts?

[tlck9]

Thanks for the info, I have tried to seperate her for short periods, she is feeding on the corn, I will have to get some yogurt and the egg option.

I noticed egg reminets in the the coop this morning, so she may well have had some of that

[Rosie.]

I'm sorry I don't have any more advice on this topic, however I like to congratulate you on your hen's name.

[aud]

is she moulting or broody? in truth chickens have a habit of getting low days and then a few days later they are back to their jolly selves.

[tlck9]

She just seemed to be losing a bit of weight, trouble is I know the eggs from my original 5, but do not know if all the 4 ex batts are laying as I'm only ever gettting 7 or 8 so withough being there all day or seperating one at a tie I dont know if one isnt laying or if they just arent laying every day.

Rosie seems okay in her self barr this sneeze/cough which she has had since coming to me. She is eating okay and taking food and I managed to temp her with some oats and mash mix yesterday.

I just wondered if anyone had experiened them losing weight after they come to you, mine are on the allotment so may take more calories than before to keep themselves warm.

[aud]

well ours lost a little weight this winter but that was to be expected due to not being able to get to their run.
I wonder if she is egg bound? does her crop feel full up at all.

[tlck9]

I got 8 eggs and i softie yesterday, which would suggest that all 9 are now starting to lay. It s the 2nd softie in a week, so I do worry thats its rosie.

Anyway I am starting to hand feed her, to try and ensure she is getting food. Tomorrow I am putting just layers mash out for her as she seems to be picking at the pellets and not actually eating it, even though I have mixed mash into it

I ensured she got some of my water/mash/pellet/porridge/poultryspice mix today by hand, sooooo messy and pecked tips of fingers - v sore!

Fingers crossed.