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eggbound/low calcium hen- almost dead with a happy ending :)

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by mamakeith, Jul 24, 2013.

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  1. Jul 24, 2013 Post #1 of 11
    mamakeith

    mamakeith Hatching

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    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.
     
    Jen2848 likes this.
  2. Jul 24, 2013 Post #2 of 11
    sumi

    sumi Égalité

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    Welcome to BYC! And thank you for sharing your story. I'm glad to hear it ended so well for you and your hen.
     
  3. Jul 24, 2013 Post #3 of 11
    CherishHolland

    CherishHolland Songster

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    Welcome to BYC!! Such a wonderful outcome!
    Best of luck with your flock
    Cherish
     
  4. Jul 24, 2013 Post #4 of 11
    bp11chickens

    bp11chickens In the Brooder

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    That sounds like what happened to one of my chicks, accept I wasn't able to take her to the vet, and she died. It is kinda ironic though, her name was hope.
     
  5. Jul 24, 2013 Post #5 of 11
    dandrews1971

    dandrews1971 Songster

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    :( Oh the poor thing. Im so glad she recovered. Im scared to death of it happening to one of my girls.
     
  6. Jul 27, 2013 Post #6 of 11
    lazy gardener

    lazy gardener Crossing the Road

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    Is she laying normally now? Would love further feed back on how she progresses toward normal laying. That hand feeding formula is a life saver. I've used it on a chick.
     
  7. Jul 28, 2013 Post #7 of 11
    mamakeith

    mamakeith Hatching

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    Jul 24, 2013
    She hasn't laid yet that I know of, today she just stated acting very broody... I am hoping she's not egg bound again! She's acting normal with eating/drinking... just wants to be on the nest all the time....
     
  8. Jul 28, 2013 Post #8 of 11
    mamakeith

    mamakeith Hatching

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    Jul 24, 2013
    Awe... I'm so sorry. [​IMG]
     
  9. Jul 28, 2013 Post #9 of 11
    mamakeith

    mamakeith Hatching

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    Jul 24, 2013
    Awe, I'm so sorry...
     
  10. Nov 13, 2017 Post #10 of 11
    Jen2848

    Jen2848 Chirping

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    I'm going through the exact same thing with one of my hens Little Red Maisie.
    She is on day three of her calcium/antibiotics/hand feeding regime. She is still so sleepy. We have a recheck appointment at the vet tomorrow night to see how she is doing. I hope she makes it. She's such a sweet snugly little girl. The vet said that if she pulls through we can give her some sort of injection to stop her from laying. We would be retiring her as a laying hen and she would become a bug eating hen. We got her as a spent hen from an egg factory so we knew she wouldn't have a long laying career but she is still an excellent mosquito catcher. She jumps in the air for them.
     
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