- Mar 11, 2007
- 20
- 2
- 22
We have found that isolation and rest, in a warm, dark, quiet area, works miracles for sick and injured birds. Over the years, we've developed a hospital-pen system that works very well for us. Here it is, in case it might be helpful to others.
As soon as we notice a sick or injured bird, even if it doesn't seem to serious (yet), we isolate the hen in our "hospital pen". Ours is a plastic travel crate for large dogs, left over from our collies. The crate is the kind with a wire door in the front.
We put the pen in a warm, quiet, darkened room, away from drafts. We cover it with a lightweight dark-colored blanket, for extra warmth and darkness, leaving an open area on the side nearest the wall for air flow, as chickens need lots of fresh air, due to their high metabolism. Since chickens also require a of water, and dehydration can kill chickens very easily, we put water in the little dish that attaches to the door.
We put a heating pad, set to medium, on the floor of the crate and cover the floor (and heating pad) with old bath towels. We set a 4 x 4 on the floor, in case the chicken wants to "roost", but the back of the crate, where the heating pad is, is open, so if the hen wants more warmth, it can lay on the towels that cover the heating pad.
We let the hen out (or bring her out, if she is weak), every few hours for food and to be sure she's drinking. Dehydration can happen quickly, and the stress on the liver and kidneys can kill them, even if the infection or injury doesn't. So we make sure they are drinking, by offering water first. If necessary, we dip the tips of their beaks into the water, as this stimulates drinking.
Then we provide a smorgasbord of their favorite foods, including fresh, raw liver (from organically raised, pastured animals, so the liver isn't contaminated). Gently cooked eggs are popular, too. Both of these foods are "miracle foods" for ailing birds: they contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals needed for healing.
The birds also like chopped raw tomatoes, lettuce, various high-calorie seeds, like shelled sunflower seeds, etc. We also offer freshly thawed frozen corn as an energy food, especially for their last meal before "bedtime", so the chickens don't have to use the liver and eggs for energy production and can, instead, use those foods for healing.
In short, we spoil them with wonderful, health-building foods --whatever they'll eat. Keeping them eating, and drinking, makes a huge difference. We have not had similar success providing just their normal chicken feed.
(After a day or two, the hen comes out on her own, when we open the door of the crate, and walks right out to our kitchen, where "lunch" will be. When she's finished, she walks right back into the crate on her own, and settles down again. Pretty amazing.)
While she's out, we replace the towels in the crate. Keeping the pen clean is crucial to the healing process, of course.
We have had huge successes, saving chickens, with this hospital-pen technique. We don't save them all, of course, but probably over 95%. The secret seems to be getting them into the "hospital"at the first sign something is wrong, observing closely, minimizing stressors, and providing minimum "medical" intervention. It's hard to restrain ourselves, at times, because we all want to think we're "doing something" to help our beloved friends. However, it's been our experience that, most often, refraining from "medical intervention", and providing the best environment we can for Mother Nature to work Her miracles unimpeded, is the best thing to do.
Hope this helps some one. Thanks for helping me with all your suggestions and ideas! You guys are great!
Karlen
As soon as we notice a sick or injured bird, even if it doesn't seem to serious (yet), we isolate the hen in our "hospital pen". Ours is a plastic travel crate for large dogs, left over from our collies. The crate is the kind with a wire door in the front.
We put the pen in a warm, quiet, darkened room, away from drafts. We cover it with a lightweight dark-colored blanket, for extra warmth and darkness, leaving an open area on the side nearest the wall for air flow, as chickens need lots of fresh air, due to their high metabolism. Since chickens also require a of water, and dehydration can kill chickens very easily, we put water in the little dish that attaches to the door.
We put a heating pad, set to medium, on the floor of the crate and cover the floor (and heating pad) with old bath towels. We set a 4 x 4 on the floor, in case the chicken wants to "roost", but the back of the crate, where the heating pad is, is open, so if the hen wants more warmth, it can lay on the towels that cover the heating pad.
We let the hen out (or bring her out, if she is weak), every few hours for food and to be sure she's drinking. Dehydration can happen quickly, and the stress on the liver and kidneys can kill them, even if the infection or injury doesn't. So we make sure they are drinking, by offering water first. If necessary, we dip the tips of their beaks into the water, as this stimulates drinking.
Then we provide a smorgasbord of their favorite foods, including fresh, raw liver (from organically raised, pastured animals, so the liver isn't contaminated). Gently cooked eggs are popular, too. Both of these foods are "miracle foods" for ailing birds: they contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals needed for healing.
The birds also like chopped raw tomatoes, lettuce, various high-calorie seeds, like shelled sunflower seeds, etc. We also offer freshly thawed frozen corn as an energy food, especially for their last meal before "bedtime", so the chickens don't have to use the liver and eggs for energy production and can, instead, use those foods for healing.
In short, we spoil them with wonderful, health-building foods --whatever they'll eat. Keeping them eating, and drinking, makes a huge difference. We have not had similar success providing just their normal chicken feed.
(After a day or two, the hen comes out on her own, when we open the door of the crate, and walks right out to our kitchen, where "lunch" will be. When she's finished, she walks right back into the crate on her own, and settles down again. Pretty amazing.)
While she's out, we replace the towels in the crate. Keeping the pen clean is crucial to the healing process, of course.
We have had huge successes, saving chickens, with this hospital-pen technique. We don't save them all, of course, but probably over 95%. The secret seems to be getting them into the "hospital"at the first sign something is wrong, observing closely, minimizing stressors, and providing minimum "medical" intervention. It's hard to restrain ourselves, at times, because we all want to think we're "doing something" to help our beloved friends. However, it's been our experience that, most often, refraining from "medical intervention", and providing the best environment we can for Mother Nature to work Her miracles unimpeded, is the best thing to do.
Hope this helps some one. Thanks for helping me with all your suggestions and ideas! You guys are great!
Karlen
