Orpington11Mom
Chirping
Are you all set to start tubing? If so, I think you're probably a little nervous about this. So I would begin with a little of the warmed ringers. A fourth of a cup of fluid is about right for most chickens. This will get you both comfortable with the procedure.
After that, both of you rest for half an hour. Then check her crop to see how full it is. My rule of thumb is that most crops on standard size chickens will hold half a cup. So you may safely tube a fourth of a cup of baby bird mix into the crop for this second session. I wait a couple hours and do another feeding if the crop has emptied. Always check the fullness of the crop before tubing anything into a chicken.
The chicken may react to the crop filling by suddenly squirming. Pause until she settles down, but check to be sure her crop isn't already full. Usually, this procedure is well tolerated, and the chicken has a feeling of contentment as you fill the crop. Just be sure not to overfill.
My mom got Ethel about 2 yrs ago and she wasn't a chick but said to have been under a yr old, so she could very well be 3 or close to that.
She had her 2nd feeding today. Still no poop or pee since the fluids last night. Her crop was empty when I gave her the 2nd feeding today. She seems to be getting a bit more talkative (while we are holding and feeding her) and seems to have a little bit more energy.
We also dusted her with the permethrin powder (carefully to avoid her inhaling any). I'm curious if lice and mites tend to infest the sick animals more so than the healthy? I'm asking because my husband checked one of her other hens and didn't find any. I'm sure there are some since they shared a coup but it definitely doesn't appear to be infested like Ethel is.
I guess at this point I am concerned about the lack of poop and pee.
As much as I am hoping for her to recover, I know it may not turn out that way, and if it doesn't , I will let her go.
Any thoughts on how long I should continue this before deciding she isn't going to recover? I know she will tell me, I know that too well from my past dogs and cats, just wondering how long a recovery can take (I do realize it can be different for each hen).
I knew when you didn't post an update Monday that the news probably wasn't good. Take your time in posting an update; it can wait until you feel better about doing so. Just know that you and Ethel are in our thoughts.