Dying rooster - How to care for him in his last moments...?

[BigBlueHen53]

Thank you for your faithfulness, not just in taking such good care of Apache, but also in posting your frequent and descriptive updates. I very much look forward to hearing of Apache's progress!

But .. I just have to say, hy heart stops a little every time you say you put your dear boy "to sleep!" For us here in America, to put an animal to sleep means to put it to death! I know now that you mean you put him "to bed," but it still startles me! You really do an amazing job writing in English even though it is not your original language, I really have to commend you. Please keep up the good work.

 

[Papaye]

Hello.

Today was a not so good day for Apache, but... mainly because weather sucks : we had snow in the morning, then rain, then sunlight, then sunlight AND rain... and I really can't wait for midweek, so there will be no more rain or snow...!

First thing Apache did when I got him out of his coop and put him in his run - in the morning - was to stand ON HIS FEET, then to walk a bit so he could eat in a feeder that is hung on a mesh and that contains Premium Mix for Poultry...

(I have to precise that before yesterday, Apache could not eat in this feeder anymore...!)

I let him alone for a while, so the ducks' eggs I cooked in the morning had the time to cool down...

Afterward, once eggs were at room temperature, I crushed the yolks in one bowl of the double cat bowl, and mixed them with Multivitamins Juice and water - as usual.
I then put some Premium Mix for Poultry in the other bowl, and next brought the double cat bowl to Apache (in his run)...

He was so happy with the yolks mix he did gulp ALL OF IT in one go, and that of course means Apache has more and more appetite as the days go by - which is great!

In addition, since he eats/drinks the yolks so fast, I can then fill the bowl with water, and mix it with the little bit remainings of the yolks (in the bottom of the bowl); so, the water looks yellow, and probably tastes really, really good to Apache...
...Helps getting him to drink, and given I already have had to fill the bowl with water TWICE since the morning... it really doesn't look like I have to keep "forcing" Apache to drink anymore : I'm pretty sure he would now (make the effort to) drink a bowl of clear water, not mixed with anything.

That is great progress when compared to the (very near) past, when Apache refused to dring and had to be kept hydrated by being feed wet cat food and wet dog food...

...Concerning his condition today...

Like I said, Apache was standing on his feet in the morning, and even walking.
(He could move where he wanted to...)

BUT : when I got Apache out of his run between two downpours...?
Boy, strangely, did not stand on his feet anymore : he sat on his legs, like usual.

So... Apache clearly understand I'm his slave, and was just lazy and waiting for me to serve him (his drink and his food)...
Or, boy has just more energy, strenght... whatever when he is directly on the ground...

Look... I'm giving some details here : my house is surrounded by gravel, and gravel could - of course - be bad for my chickens' and my ducks' feet...
So, to avoid any risk of injury : some years ago, I put several rubber mats on the gravel, so no birds could walk direcly on it anymore...

And when I get Apache out of his coop, I generally put him on one of these rubber mats...!
And I honestly think it was the reason Apache did not stand on his feet when I got him outside of his run today, although he walked in his run in the morning, and was standing again on his feet AFTER I put him in there again...
Because, yes : when I got Apache back in his run, he was standing in the next minute!

...The differences between the run and the mats?
In his run, Apache is on the ground, and even surrounded by grass...
On the rubber mats, Apache has NO direct contact with the ground...

And I don't know if you heard about that... you call it "earthing" or "grounding" in English - which each means "to walk barefoot on the ground"...
To, put it simply, get HEALTH benefits from walking barefoot on the ground...
(Just to be precise : that is NOT magic.)

A short video that I had discovered some times ago, and that shows some results :

...After monitoring Apache so much, I now seriously think it is a possibility that Apache gets some (health) benefits from being directly on the ground...
It would mean the boy actually NEEDS, for now at least, to be in direct contact with the ground, maybe specifically grass(?), for him to be able to be healthier, and have more strenght and/or energy...

Of course, it looks like that to ME... so it is not necessary true.

It is just that to see Apache's condition seemingly depending on where he is made me remember this video, and the so famous claims about the benefits from walking barefoot on the ground...
And it just... clicked, you know...? (Roosters ARE barefoot...!!)

...So, all that to say I think I would be better for Apache if, from now on, I put him on the grass when I get him out of his run. And NO MORE on the rubber mats...

I have read through this entire thread, and like many people, I was frustrated and angry at the beginning. But now I am so very happy with your choice of caring for Apache rather than culling him. Your dedication and determination to help your pet survive is nothing short of inspiring. Keep up the amazing work, and please keep posting daily updates!

Thank you very much!

I hope the details of Apache's recovery can be useful, and let people know there is finally always hope.

...Last year, I also saved another dying rooster...
The poor boy was in a so bad shape he had ended up becoming blind... but treating him and taking care of him made his survival possible, although no one would have tried to save his life, since nobody would have thought his survival to be likely.
Details here, if interested : https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/about-food-grade-diatomaceous-earth.1606285/

Thank you for your faithfulness, not just in taking such good care of Apache, but also in posting your frequent and descriptive updates. I very much look forward to hearing of Apache's progress!

Your are, of course, welcome.

Thank you for your support!

But .. I just have to say, hy heart stops a little every time you say you put your dear boy "to sleep!" For us here in America, to put an animal to sleep means to put it to death! I know now that you mean you put him "to bed," but it still startles me!

I... will think to correct my phrasing!!!

You really do an amazing job writing in English even though it is not your original language, I really have to commend you.

Thank you...!!

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

There is no progress with Apache today, and there probably won't be for the rest of the day.

Indeed : when I went to get Apache out of his coop this morning, I found him sitting on his butt, with his legs pulled straight out in front of him.
So, clearly : the poor boy moved in his coop after I put him to bed, and ended up sleeping in a very wrong position - position he was not able to change afterward...

Nothing serious, thanksfully; I would like to precise... but Apache has to have been very, very, very bothered, and he may have (had) some pains in his butt and/or legs...

Thus, he is not standing on his feet today, and he clearly does not WANT to.
He is just sitting on his hocks for now, but since he is inside of his run because of the weather... his hocks will be fine : Apache is sitting on them, but (also) on the grass - and not on the rubber mats surroundind my house (and not so comfortable for a rooster that has kind of a tender skin on the parts that are holding his weight)...!

(I actually can not tell if the skin of Apache's hocks are still tender, since I have not looked at it after the last bushstrokes of Cade Oil I put on him some days ago...?
But I'm not worried, because when I checked then, his hocks at least did not look like they woul need another treatment in addition to Cade Oil...)

So... I am letting Apache be today.

There is not much I can do for him anyway, since he has to be kept in his run to stay dry for the time being, and again : his wheelchair is too big to go through the door of his run.
(If Apache's condition was desperate, I could always disassemble and reassemble the wheelchair so it would be inside of his run, OR just disassemble and reassemble A PART of the run... but, thanksfully : it is not necessary for now...
Apache is fine, even though he has not the strenght, or just the courage, to stand on his feet today.)

...Of course, I keep feeding Apache the same as usual : using a double cat bowl - with (cooked) yolks mixed with water and Multivitamins Juice in a bowl, and Premium Mix for Poultry in the other bowl.
...With, this time, some oystershell grits I thought to mix with the Premium Mix for Poultry... (Thanks to my ducks, since I only remembered it was time to give some grits again to Apache when I noticed my runners had emptied one of feeders of their oystershell grits!)

But otherwise... yeah : today is a day of rest.

Weather is sad and cold and windy, and Apache totally DESERVES to be let alone sometimes, and not necessarily working out constantly (especially after the sad night he has spent)...
And anyway : muscles need to rest so they can strenghten more and healthily!

...I don't want Apache to just walk correctly and be strong : I want him to live a long and healthy life, without any pain or complication!
And for that, he should probably take his time to recover, rest when he needs to, and NOT risking to get back in the worst of his condition by doing too much, or by doing poorly in trying to exceed his limits...
(I am no physiotherapist, but I know days of rest are necessary to heal in the best possible way...!!)

Whatever happens, the best or the worst... I am here for Apache.

And even if he needs months to recover - weather slowing down his progress, or whatever other reason he would have to be lazy -, I won't give up on him.

I learned my lesson when a miracle - because I call that "miracle" - occured, and this wonderful rooster actually survived, then got better.
Indeed, I now know (and FEEL) there is always hope, even in the most desperate situations... and that Apache wants to live, and is able to do so; and even if his condition seems to worsen, it is actually just a bad day, and he WILL get better in the next days...

I just... trust him now. Trust him completely to survive, and to do the best of his best to live healthily and HAPPILY...
(He is strong...!)
And since I trust him so much, I don't have to worry about him anymore when I feel that his condition worsens (again) : I just have to do my best to support him and help him, and prepare for the next days instead of despairing.

Thus, in spite of the fact Apache is not standing on his feet today... I know it is nothing serious, because it does NOT mean his condition is worsening again.
And better yet : I now know HOW to fix it!

...If Apache can not stand today, or tomorrow, or the next days... I will just wait until weather clears up, and hang him then in the wheelchair again.
Having to start again something that has worked for Apache is not scary or disappointing, because I now know - even if the boy weakens - it will work again.
(I don't care if Apache take all the time he needs to recover...!)

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Balance of work/ rest makes perfect sense.

 

[Papaye]

Hello.

Yesterday was the same than two days ago for Apache : I had found him in the same funny position than the previous morning, so he had clearly slept badly; and thus, he did not make any physical effort (to stand) during the day.

In spite of that, this morning, I found Apache sitting as comfortably as possible for him (in his current condition) inside of his coop, waiting for me to get him out like the good boy he is... as if he had not just had two bad days!

Today even was a pretty good day for him : I put the boy in his run, but not for long... because when I realized it may not rain, I got him out to bring physically closer to me - just in front of my kitchen -, so I could monitor him better.

(...And it actually has not rained all day...!)

Apache did not make any exercice today, but he at least has stood on his feet in the morning... even though it was only for a few seconds...!
He also tried to walk, but he would need to get stronger again for that... which he will of course : tomorrow is going to be sunny, so I will hang Apache again to the wheelchair!
Boy will not be a happy rooster then, but he will at least train his muscles!! (He will thanks me eventually... right?!)

Also : I noticed for some times now Apache is losing feathers. Not a lot, thanksfully, but enough for me to feel I need to share this information...
...It began when I first showered him, and continued when I cleaned him again, or hung him in the wheelchair...
I am not worried about that, since process of elimination being a thing, I could easily conclude Apache is losing feathers because of stress OR because of his previous poor nutrition (wet cat/dog food, remember?)... or even both, why not...?

(But giving Apache new shiny feathers can wait his next molt : for now, making sure he is correctly fed and training him so he regains his muscles back is more important than him being beautiful...!)

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Does he fight and struggle the entire time he is in the wheelchair?

Is it possible it is somehow uncomfortable for him?

Could you perhaps build him a sling he could sit in, made out of fabric? If you asked, maybe people could post pictures to give you ideas of how to make one. I know many people have had to build such slings for injured chickens to keep them from putting their full weight on their feet due to injury for a while.

Just thinking out loud ...

 

[Papaye]

Hello.

This morning was relatively cold and windy in my area, but sunny and kind of warm in the afternoon...
So, thanks to that, Apache was more active today.

Thus, I obviously took advantage of the fact it was not raining to hang Apache in the wheelchair again - during what... two, maybe three hours in the morning?
(Of course, I thought to protect him from the weather by putting the wheelchair right next to a storage box, so the boy would not be bothered by the wind...!!)

Apache was not moving much in the wheelchair, compared to the previous days he had been hanging in it... but that's not important, because even though he was not exercising when he was hanging to the toy, his muscles were working - even if they didn't look like they were...
...Proved here by the fact Apache has actually walked on his feet - several times today -, and/but only SINCE I let him go from his binds...!

(NOTE : When he was hanging to the wheelchair in the morning, I thought to again put some Cade Oil on his hocks. Just in case...)

So : Apache was lively today, and has made efforts to walk (and not CRAWl!), and even acted more independant... meaning his recovery was not so affected by some sad days, thanskfully...!

Does he fight and struggle the entire time he is in the wheelchair?

Not today!

But otherwise, yes : he struggled almost the entire time when he was in the wheelchair, but only when he had the strenght for that...!
...Or he sometimes let himself be hung by his binds, without even trying to move (actually being lazy/tired)...

Is it possible it is somehow uncomfortable for him?

The cat harness is comfortable to wear : I checked, because I did not want to use it if it could hurt Apache, you know...?
Especially since he is skinny, and has a so prominent wishbone...

...The fact his muscles are actually working when he is hung in the wheelchair may be what is uncomfortable...?

If so, it would not be easy for Apache to live like that for the time being, but he will have to bear with it until his full recovery.
(Or at least until he does not need the wheelchair anymore...)

Could you perhaps build him a sling he could sit in, made out of fabric?

...I'm embarrassed to admit I don't know how to sew.
(If I have to make him a sling myself, I of course would want it to be perfect... but I don't even have the basic sewing skills!)
Yes... that's exactly why I am using the easy way - "cat harness"...

If you asked, maybe people could post pictures to give you ideas of how to make one. I know many people have had to build such slings for injured chickens to keep them from putting their full weight on their feet due to injury for a while.

You can laugh : I actually thought about using one of my old sport bras as a sling...!!

...Sounded then brillant... but the cat harness my mom bought is better, so I gave up the idea - and that's for the better, since really... Apache would have looked ridiculous in my bra, right?

Just thinking out loud ...

Ah, ah!
No... thank you!! Really...!!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

without even trying to move (actually being lazy/tired)...

Maybe he is just becoming accustomed to it.

No need to be embarrassed about not sewing! Many times I myself have said. "I am a woman of many talents, but sewing is not one of them!" Many times I used to try but it seems the sewing machine is just smarter than me.

I would not have thought to use a bra. My mind actually went to a pair of underpants, it already has holes for his legs. But what you are doing seems to be working, so continue on! Here we have a saying, "if it's not broke, don't fix it." You seem to be doing fine.

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

Nothing new about Apache...
Weather sucks, so it is hard to make him working out with the wheelchair...!

...Today, for the first time in his life, I gave Apache canned sardines!
After wet pet food, yolks, and then tuna... I just thought it would be smart to make him try new food, since it could keep him happy while he can not move...!!

...But Apache did not want to eat sardines... (Why?!!)
At least until I mixed crushed yolks in them, then put some water in... (Ah, ah! He can not stop eating, now!)

Apart from that, I really have nothing interesting to report.

Ooooooor : I just cut Apache's beak, then filed it to shape it - since I noticed it was too long...

...I wonder if I should trim the nails, too? (I have begun to trim ONE nail, on his left foot...)
If ever I have to trim them, I will then wait until weather is sunny again...!

No need to be embarrassed about not sewing! Many times I myself have said. "I am a woman of many talents, but sewing is not one of them!" Many times I used to try but it seems the sewing machine is just smarter than me.

Ah, ah!

...Worst is : I want to learn!
I just always have something to do, and when I have the time... I just don't remember I should use it to learn sewing...
(And sewing skills could be so useful...!! Like : I could have made a super-sling for Apache...!!!)

I would not have thought to use a bra. My mind actually went to a pair of underpants, it already has holes for his legs.

I... actually did not think about using underpants!!
But underpants look like it would bother a chicken - at tail-level... especially a rooster... no?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

But underpants look like it would bother a chicken - at tail-level... especially a rooster... no

I don't know. Do a search for "chicken slings" and see what you find. I know other people have made slings for their chickens. You might get some ideas. Good luck!