20-week old pullet sneezing/gaping

[gumpsgirl]

You're so kind Wynette! I do love coming to this board for the friendly people as well, so I know what you mean. I homeschool and my DH is a fire fighter that works two jobs and is gone 36 hours at a time, so all of the wonderful BYC'ers keep me sane, along with my wonderful chickens. I actually have friends now and people to chat with. It's so nice!

I'm hoping that by Sunday that you see quite a bit of improvement also. I'm sure it's been hard squeezing those feedings in everyday. When this girl finally does get healed, you are going to have one heck of a friend in her!

 

[Wynette]

You know, I've just been calling her "Splash" as a name...I hesitate to name her, just in case. But, every time I go to the barn, I look into her pen and say, "Hi, Splash!" and I SWEAR she looks right back up at me and acts as if she knows her name!

I've got an Ameraucana pullet with a severe crossbreak, and I've always just called her CB sorta for the same reason...didn't want to name her. I take her to the poultry vet for a major beak trim every 6-8 weeks, and I didn't think she'd ever lay an egg, due to her being so small and fighting for nutrition. But, just this week (I think she's 9-10 months old) she began laying! I was shocked, and would never have thought it was her egg, except that I actually saw her lay it. CB knows her name, too - those are the only two chickens I have that I think know their names.

 

[gumpsgirl]

That doesn't surprise me one bit Wynette! These silly 'ole birds are so much smarter than they get credit for sometimes.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Glad she's still hanging in there, Wynette. Hope she starts eating soon!!

 

[Wynette]

Thanks, gator - you guys have been so helpful & supportive - I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!

 

[tiki244]

How is Splash doing? Hope she is doing better today.

 

[Wynette]

Hey, Kris - thanks for checking in on us!

She's exactly the same. Sigh. I was REALLY hoping I'd see even a glimmer of improvement by this morning, but nope. Her first dose was Tuesday evening, so it's only been 3 full days on the new meds as of 6 p.m. tonight. Here's hoping these meds work....these hand feedings are really starting to wear me out.

 

[tiki244]

Maybe she will take a little longer to improve because of all she has been through. (I have been reading this regularly~just not posting all the time) Best wishes that she starts to improve.

 

[Wynette]

That's what I'm hoping...thanks so much. The meds are to run 14 days, and the vet said she should be feeling better "within a week" when I asked. I just wish I could get her to eat on her own; that would speed recovery tremendously, since I can only feed her 3-4 times per day.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Hang in there Wynette.