- Jul 24, 2013
- 6
- 1
- 7
I came home from vacation to find one of my hens nearly dead in the coop, head down and eyes closed- her hind feathers were matted with dried feces and an egg was also stuck in the matter. My parents were "watching" them while I was away... and my mom just assumed she was laying (FOR 24 HOURS?!) either way, she didn't realize there was a problem...
I took the hen out and rinsed her rear off and the egg dislodged... she still was limp, eyes closed and unresponsive.
I set her in a warm water basin, gave her droppers of sugar water... nothing.
Finally we went to the vet.
The vet gave her antibiotics, IV and calcium injection... and some antibiotics for me to take home ($157)
She suggested me force feeding her some Exact hand feeding formula, which was easy to do sine she was so weak.. she didn't try to fight me. The vet couldn't give me an accurate prognosis for the outcome.
She just said get food in her and as much as I could, keep her warm and away from the flock.
The next day her eyes were open to slits, and she still couldn't stand, but there was hope.
The following day she stood for a few seconds here and there and her eyes were open a tad bit wider.
The next day she was able to walk a few steps and I set her in the grass and she ate some grass and drank on her own. (I was still hand feeding her) and her eyes were open completely. (I also gave her some plain yogurt that she gobbled up)
Finally she began to try to roost on her plastic bin she was staying in and I could tell she wanted to be with her flock.She hopped up on the patio table to attempt to steal pizza crust from my daughter and I. ( I guess she was sick if the baby bird food)
Finally, in the morning I set her out to be with her flock- watching her carefully to make sure she wasn't harassed, of course.
Today is day three of her being back with her flock and exactly a week after I found her in such dire straits.
I just want to share this story to give someone hope in case they find themselves in the situation.
I took the hen out and rinsed her rear off and the egg dislodged... she still was limp, eyes closed and unresponsive.
I set her in a warm water basin, gave her droppers of sugar water... nothing.
Finally we went to the vet.
The vet gave her antibiotics, IV and calcium injection... and some antibiotics for me to take home ($157)
She suggested me force feeding her some Exact hand feeding formula, which was easy to do sine she was so weak.. she didn't try to fight me. The vet couldn't give me an accurate prognosis for the outcome.
She just said get food in her and as much as I could, keep her warm and away from the flock.
The next day her eyes were open to slits, and she still couldn't stand, but there was hope.
The following day she stood for a few seconds here and there and her eyes were open a tad bit wider.
The next day she was able to walk a few steps and I set her in the grass and she ate some grass and drank on her own. (I was still hand feeding her) and her eyes were open completely. (I also gave her some plain yogurt that she gobbled up)
Finally she began to try to roost on her plastic bin she was staying in and I could tell she wanted to be with her flock.She hopped up on the patio table to attempt to steal pizza crust from my daughter and I. ( I guess she was sick if the baby bird food)
Finally, in the morning I set her out to be with her flock- watching her carefully to make sure she wasn't harassed, of course.
Today is day three of her being back with her flock and exactly a week after I found her in such dire straits.
I just want to share this story to give someone hope in case they find themselves in the situation.
Oh the poor thing. Im so glad she recovered. Im scared to death of it happening to one of my girls.
