When one of your chickens falls ill, it is crucial that they be isolated so as to prevent its illness from spreading to other members of their flock and allow you to focus on her specific needs.
Make sure she has access to plenty of fresh water, and include electrolyte powders or solutions as part of her hydration strategy.
Foods to help support her recovery include scrambled eggs, mealworms, black oil sunflower seeds, probiotics and cooked rice, vegetables and eggs.
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Boost their Immune System
Chickens are exposed to numerous pathogens, bacteria and viruses in their natural environments as they roam freely and search for food sources. Strengthening their immune systems is critical in combatting any unwanted invaders and staying healthy.
Add natural supplements to their diet in order to strengthen their immunity, such as herbs like licorice root, sage, oregano, cinnamon, fennel clover and echinacea which can be sprinkled onto their feed or mixed into their water source. Other immune boosting foods may include uncooked oats brewer’s yeast cooked rice kelp sea vegetables as additional ways of helping your chickens fight illness.
As part of your care for a sick chicken, it is also vital that they have access to clean water at all times, particularly if they stop eating as much. Supplementing their water with electrolyte powders or solutions may also help combat dehydration; you could even consider adding garlic as this has been shown to have additional immune-enhancing benefits.
Increase their Hydration
Hydration is key for sick chickens. Water aids with their metabolism from controlling body temperature to digesting food and eliminating waste, but dehydrated birds won’t be able to fight off infections as easily or heal themselves as quickly.
During a health emergency, it’s crucial that patients regularly change their drinking water and include electrolyte powders or solutions like Gatorade to provide vitality. Also beneficial is adding garlic to their water as its natural antimicrobial properties will aid recovery.
If your chickens aren’t feeding themselves, try administering a liquid diet of layer feed with a spoon, dropper or syringe until they swallow it. Or put cucumber slices or watermeon chunks in their water as an incentive to drink! Adding steeped and cooled herbal tea is delicious for chickens! If that fails try mixing in some apple cider vinegar as this has antibacterial properties.
Provide a Balanced Diet
For sick chickens to recover quickly and fully, their diet must contain an optimal balance of proteins and healthy fats. In addition, providing easy-to-digest foods like scrambled eggs, mealworms, black oil sunflower seeds, yogurt (especially one with active cultures) or pureed pumpkin can all aid their recovery process.
Garlic can also help strengthen chickens’ immune systems. You can add crushed cloves of garlic directly into their water supply for several hours prior to giving it to their flock.
Proper observation, hydration and providing a calm environment are key components to helping a sick chicken recover quickly. By following these tips you can assist your sick hen to begin her road back home! If it appears as though your bird still struggles, be sure to consult with a veterinarian in order to make sure she receives optimal care!
Consult a Veterinarian
When your flock becomes sick, always consult a veterinarian first. A vet can offer specific guidance tailored specifically to the illness and lifestyle unique to chickens that may differ from that of dogs or cats, along with medication to support recovery.
Keep in mind that isolating sick chickens is important in order to prevent infection spread and allow for proper observation. They should be placed in an isolated area far from other flock members so they aren’t bullied, while still receiving plenty of food and water without interruption.
Make sure the isolation area is quiet and warm to help alleviate stress for sick chickens, providing easily digestible foods such as scrambled eggs, mealworms, black oil sunflower seeds, probiotics, pureed pumpkin, cooked rice with vegetables and eggs will aid your bird’s recovery. Hydration is vitally important; adding electrolyte powders or solutions into their water may assist. Adding garlic into their diets may also boost their immune systems.
