I have two sick hens that have not eaten on their own for 5 days. I have been tube feeding though I'm not sure if I have been giving enough. I've also been giving water by tube. I feel I've done everything I can possibly do. One hen is still gurgling and the other is weak and won't eat or drink on her own. They both just sit there. I'm willing to do whatever it take if I can save them but at what point do I stop and let them go or cull? At what point am I just being cruel? They are as much pets as anything else. My chickens are not part of my business. Has anyone ever cared for a sick chicken for 5, 6, 10 days and had them recover?
Depending upon the illness...if they are showing signs of gurgling it may be due to a respiratory disease...you do not say as to whether or not you have tried any antibiotics... It is so hard to diagnose sometimes and treat for whatever we feel the illness is... A worm...lice/mites infestation could be the problem... I have treated ill chickens for quite some time but have never had to tube feed..it is such a hard decision and one that only you can make... I am so very sorry that you are faced with such a choice...
thank you Suzie. I have been treating with Tylan 50. Today is the 5th day. No change. One has a slow crop which I have been able to keep moving with water but it never empties completely. I don't know if I'm helping or hurting anymore. Very sad.
Hi I sympathise with you completely. Yesterday my husband and I made the decision to euthanise our gorgeous columbian blacktail Rosalie. For 10 days (5 on meds)she wasn't eating and very rarely drinking.her crop was always full of a dark liquid that wouldn't go unless we emptied it for her. Vet found evidence of a yeast infection but it appears she had this for a lot longer than we thought. As we both work its not always possible to watch their every move all day and they could be asleep before we got home. However the meds did little use.my dad bred budgies and he said it seemed she had "gone light" I don't know if that's a term used for poultry but it meant she had lost all muscle mass.her keel bone was prominent and you could feel her ribs.she was unable to swallow so we were feeding her ccf formula and avipro directly into her crop but she would lose balance.fall and not be able to get up on her own. It broke our heart but we couldn't let her suffer.the decision may have been different had there been some degree of improvement but there wasn't any.that doesn't stop the guilt we feel though.she was our first girl and the joy she bought to us for nearly 3 years was immense.she will never be forgotten. Miracles may sometimes happen but sometimes you just have to accept it's time and let them go in peace.my heart goes out to you.