Bird has a black bottom and protrusion below the vent. I can’t tell if it a scab or dried poop. Can anyone advise?

[Mumgold]

I would not splint the foot yet. Just watch her. Is there any sign of an injury, such as green bruising, redness, or swelling of the leg or foot? Any scabs on the foot pad?

Both foot pads have a black dot on the bottom arch or foot area before claws (does a chicken have an arch?). I think it is more her leg.

also is normal to feel the front bone of the chest in a chicken?

 

[Chicalina]

If she isn't drinking, you can hold her firmly against your body so she can't wriggle (or wrap her in a towel) and drip electrolyte water into the side of her beak with the syringe while holding her head still. She will have to swallow what goes in. Also you can make a good booster feed mash for sick chickens. I throw in what nutrient and energy dense foods I have at home, like oats, bananas, peanut butter, honey, with vitamins and water to make it a good consistency so its moist but not sloppy. Scrambled egg is good too.

Your friend is very lucky to have you taking care of their chickens for them!

 

[Mumgold]

If she isn't drinking, you can hold her firmly against your body so she can't wriggle (or wrap her in a towel) and drip electrolyte water into the side of her beak with the syringe while holding her head still. She will have to swallow what goes in. Also you can make a good booster feed mash for sick chickens. I throw in what nutrient and energy dense foods I have at home, like oats, bananas, peanut butter, honey, with vitamins and water to make it a good consistency so its moist but not sloppy. Scrambled egg is good too.

Your friend is very lucky to have you taking care of their chickens for them!

Thanks. I wasn’t holding her when I tried the syringe at the side of her beak.

 

[Eggcessive]

It sounds like her keel or breastbone is prominent, which could be a sign of weight loss. Do you you have a picture of the foot pads? Bumblefoot infection may cause a black scab on the foot pad or between toes. It can be painful enough to cause limping.

 

[Mumgold]

I will try to take a photo of the bottom of her feet.m soon.
Her feet did get a good soaking with the two epsom salt baths. I have to leave here soon and return to my house.

 

[Mumgold]

I will try to take a photo of the bottom of her feet.m soon.
Her feet did get a good soaking with the two epsom salt baths. I have to leave here soon and return to my house.

It was hard to get them in focus - I am not an expert bird handler. She is getting more feisty than before. I think that is a good sign.

 

[Mumgold]

Thanks. I wasn’t holding her when I tried the syringe at the side of her beak.

I did the syringe as best I could with some electrolytes and probiotics (I didn’t do the gallon and the package mix. I just peppered a bit of the package’s contents in a jar and put that in a 12 ml syringe). I think 10ml went inside. I didn’t feel the water anywhere else. I heard her stomach or insides make a gurgle noise when she was drinking unless it was my stomach. I will try some water again later.

 

[aart]

I heard her stomach or insides make a gurgle noise

Hopefully it wasn't her lungs.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

 

[Mumgold]

That link is great with the video. I did nothing like that. Lol. She was against my chest but I didn’t tilt her head. I simply put the syringe to the side of her beak til she seemed to move the upper and lower beak lips to hopefully swallow.

 

[Chicalina]

That link is great with the video. I did nothing like that. Lol. She was against my chest but I didn’t tilt her head. I simply put the syringe to the side of her beak til she seemed to move the upper and lower beak lips to hopefully swallow.

That is perfect and how I do it, as I'm scared I'll miss the right hole if I put the syringe into their beak! I just squeeze tiny amounts, maybe 0.5ml at a time into the side of their closed beak, and you can see and feel them swallow what goes inside. So it's a process of squeeze, wait for swallow, squeeze, swallow and so on. It takes a little while but it's gentle and avoids aspiration because the bird is actively swallowing by itself. Once you've got about 10ml in (or 5ml for my banties), you can feel their crop is all squishy with the water.