Raising backyard chickens can be a rewarding experience However, just like any other pet, chickens can sometimes get sick When your chickens are under the weather, it’s important to adjust their diet to help them recover. In this article, we’ll go over some tips for feeding sick chickens.
Replace Regular Feed with Mash
When chickens are sick, their appetite and digestion can be impaired. To make eating easier for them, replace their regular feed with a mash. Here’s how:
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Take their normal organic poultry feed and mix it with warm water until it forms a thoroughly blended mash The texture should be soft and easy to eat
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Offer the mash to the sick chicken in a shallow dish. Replace any uneaten mash every 4-6 hours.
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Avoid adding anything extra to the mash like treats or supplements which could upset their stomach further, Stick to their regular organic feed only,
Offer Soft, Nutrient-Dense Treats
Along with the mash, you can also offer small amounts of soft, easily digestible treats. Good options include:
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Cooked egg: Eggs provide protein and nutrients without much effort for the chicken to digest. Scramble a bit of egg and let the chicken peck at it.
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Soft fruits: Try mashed bits of banana, melon, berries, or apple. Just a few bites will provide some extra nutrition and hydration.
Avoid Grit and Treats
When nursing sick chickens back to health, it’s best to avoid offering any of their usual treats or supplements. Things like scratch grains, mealworms, vegetables, etc. can be too much for their digestive system to handle.
Also avoid leaving out grit, oyster shell, or other free-choice supplements as overconsumption could cause further problems.
Monitor Water Intake
Dehydration is a serious risk for sick chickens. Make sure fresh water is always available. Most chickens drink 1-2 times per hour, so monitor to ensure yours are drinking frequently.
Add electrolytes or unflavored Pedialyte to the water to replenish lost nutrients and encourage drinking.
Consult a Veterinarian if Needed
If your sick chicken is refusing to eat or drink, contact an avian vet right away. They can provide subcutaneous fluids and recommend medication if needed.
A vet may also prescribe a nutritional supplement such as baby food, critical care formula, or electrolyte gel that you can syringe feed to the chicken.
When to Separate from the Flock
It’s generally recommended to separate any visibly sick chicken from the rest of the flock while they recover. This helps prevent disease spread and also keeps the ill bird from being pecked at or bullied.
Monitor the chicken in isolation for signs of improving health. Once their appetite is back to normal, they can rejoin the flock.
Watch for Relapses
Even after a chicken seems to have recovered, continue watching them closely for any relapse of symptoms. Chickens are prey animals by nature and will often try to hide signs of illness.
If decreased appetite, lethargy, or other abnormal behavior returns, isolate the chicken again and call your vet if their condition declines. With attentive care and diet adjustments, most chickens bounce back quickly!
Basic Sick Chicken Treatment
Having a process in place for when your chickens are sick helps give the bird its best chance to get well and prevents spreading it to other birds in your flock. And much like taking care of yourself or your children when they’re sick, home remedies for a sick chicken are similar.
Encourage Healthy Eating
Food isn’t nearly as important as water when your chicken is sick, and they may not even feel like eating. However, you can help encourage your chicken to eat by crushing layer feed and mixing with warm water or milk to make a mash. Use a spoon, syringe, or tube to feed the chickens when they don’t have the energy or motivation to feed themselves.
Is My Chicken Sick? How to Treat Chickens Naturally
FAQ
What is best to feed a sick chicken?
The first healthy treat that I usually offer a sick chicken who is off their feed is scrambled or boiled egg. Eggs contain all the essential nutrients except for vitamin C, which healthy chickens manufacturer on their own. I also offer cooked meat (like chicken or beef) or soft vegetables (like squash).
How do you perk up a sick chicken?
Nursing a sick chicken back to health
Once indoors you will need to make sure your chicken has plenty of liquid. If really weak you may need to help her to drink. If she will eat, it is good to get her eating something. Mushy easy to swallow food is best, something like porridge or bread soaked in water for example.
Can a sick chicken get better on its own?
In most cases, sick chickens simply have a slight cold and take a few days to get over the condition — once the symptoms have completely gone and the bird has recovered it can be let out to rejoin the flock. Obviously, with severe illness the bird may not recover and subsequently die.
What is a homemade antibiotic for chickens?
Oregano The essential oil of Oregano is a natural antibiotic. Oregano can be given to ducks and chickens in the form of an essential oil, fresh or dried. It can help prevent coccidiosis, blackhead, E. coli, avian flu, and bronchitis.