Can I wash a dying chicken??

[bibzybean]

Hi,
One of my chickens has been suffering from egg yolk peritonitis for a while now. Despite our efforts, our vet has told us that she will most likely have to be put down - which we are planning to do soon

She struggles to walk and lay down and is clearly in pain. I have noticed she doesn’t excrete much, but her back feathers are covered in it. I wanted to know if it is safe to wash her back end in warm water, just to clear up some of the excretement in her feathers. I thought it might make her marginally more comfortable, but I want to know if it is safe to do so in her condition, and if I can still dry her with a low hairdryer setting, or will it exacerbate her pain?

Thank you

 

[Liz Birdlover]

I had a pigeon with peritonitis. I gently cleaned her with a bowl of warm water & mild shampoo. She seemed to relax & enjoy it. It also helped her relieve bowels, so be prepared to clean, soak, then refresh warm water & clean again. All birds, from parrots to pigeons & chickens, seem to love sitting on a fluffy towel & the hair dryer on low, warm. Also, I set her up in my bathroom, so she had warmth, sunshine, own personal space, food & water, with no other birds pecking or bothering her. I brought her mate in & set him up with a cage divider & he'd preen her through the bars. At night I removed the divider & they'd sleep snuggled together. Sadly, she did not improve over time, despite best efforts. It's one of those conditions that can't be cured. I'm sorry.

 

[bibzybean]

I had a pigeon with peritonitis. I gently cleaned her with a bowl of warm water & mild shampoo. She seemed to relax & enjoy it. It also helped her relieve bowels, so be prepared to clean, soak, then refresh warm water & clean again. Sadly, she did not improve over time, despite best efforts. It's one of those conditions that can't be cured. I'm sorry.

Thank you, I appreciate it