We have a small Brahma hen who developed very big canker lesions in her beak. I realised it only as she became quite lethargic, couldn't eat well and often opened and closed her beak. Took her to the vet 8 days ago, he confirmed diagnosis, removed the smelly cheesy bits from the beak, and gave us Flagyl (Metronidazole) solution 1ml (45mg) per day for 5-10 days. He gave her some pain killer, too. She's skin and bones (770g) and has diarrhea.
No pigeons/ wild birds have access to our chickens' water but chickens are free range and drink from other water sources on the property.
Isolated her from others. She started eating again (only fresh minced meat, hard boiled egg, thawed corn kernels), which was encouraging. I gave her water with a syringe into the beak as she didn't seem to drink. Now 8 days on the lesions are coming back, and she hasn't eaten anything today, I've syringed water with added vitamins for chickens into her beak but last 2 days it seems to hurt her to swallow and now she's off food entirely. She has no reserves and vets are closed tomorrow... any ideas how I could:
a) reduce her pain so she can swallow more easily and
b) stop the canker given Flagyl doesn't seem to work and
c) get her to eat anything (and what) so she doesn't starve ?
Will try and take a photo of her tomorrow.
Please help urgently!
I'm pretty new to chickens and your experience and help would be most appreciated!!!
Thanks so much!
No pigeons/ wild birds have access to our chickens' water but chickens are free range and drink from other water sources on the property.
Isolated her from others. She started eating again (only fresh minced meat, hard boiled egg, thawed corn kernels), which was encouraging. I gave her water with a syringe into the beak as she didn't seem to drink. Now 8 days on the lesions are coming back, and she hasn't eaten anything today, I've syringed water with added vitamins for chickens into her beak but last 2 days it seems to hurt her to swallow and now she's off food entirely. She has no reserves and vets are closed tomorrow... any ideas how I could:
a) reduce her pain so she can swallow more easily and
b) stop the canker given Flagyl doesn't seem to work and
c) get her to eat anything (and what) so she doesn't starve ?
Will try and take a photo of her tomorrow.
Please help urgently!

Thanks so much!