Emaciated, not eating or drinking

[CatWhisperer]

I have a 6 month old long tail pullet that is lethargic, very thin, slightly pale and eating/ drinking very little. I have her indoors and have offered scrambled egg/yogurt/applesauce/ chicken crumble that I am feeding my wry neck silkie. Also offering crumble alone, canned cat food, mealworms and birdseed. She has watery diarrhea which is mostly urates. I have given her a drop of Corid daily for the last 3 days. Dropped off a stool sample couple days ago but haven’t heard results back. No other symptoms, no other similarly sick birds. Clean environment, free range in fenced quarter acre during day. Fed mostly Nutrena meatbird ration.

 

[glassdragonfly]

So sorry your bird is ill! Sounds like your doing everything you can. Have you checked her crop in the mornings? Is it empty? If not she might have a crop problem. You may need to tube feed to give her enough energy to beat this. Hope some of the other more experienced folks chime in.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a 6 month old long tail pullet that is lethargic, very thin, slightly pale and eating/ drinking very little. I have her indoors and have offered scrambled egg/yogurt/applesauce/ chicken crumble that I am feeding my wry neck silkie. Also offering crumble alone, canned cat food, mealworms and birdseed. She has watery diarrhea which is mostly urates. I have given her a drop of Corid daily for the last 3 days. Dropped off a stool sample couple days ago but haven’t heard results back. No other symptoms, no other similarly sick birds. Clean environment, free range in fenced quarter acre during day. Fed mostly Nutrena meatbird ration.

I'm sorry about your pullet.
Can you post some photos of her and her poop?

If you suspect Coccidiosis, a daily drop of Corid will not take care of that. I would drench her at .10ml per pound of weight once daily for 3 days. IN ADDITION to that mix 2 teaspoons of liquid Corid per gallon of water for her to drink. If you need to syringe the mixed Corid water into her throughout the day as you would drinking water for hydration.

I agree, I would check her crop - is it empty/full, doughy, etc.
Any lice/mites? Has she begun to lay eggs yet - any swelling of the abdomen?

Tube feeding her may be what's needed to give her a jump start back to health. If you need help with that let us know.

 

[CatWhisperer]

Empty crop, not laying yet, no external parasites.
Where an I get a feeding tube and what size? What food would go thru it?
Will try to get a poop picture tomorrow, she is on newspaper now and it doesn’t show well.
If she is still alive in the morning.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Empty crop, not laying yet, no external parasites.
Where an I get a feeding tube and what size? What food would go thru it?
Will try to get a poop picture tomorrow, she is on newspaper now and it doesn’t show well.
If she is still alive in the morning.

You should be able to use aquarium tubing at the pet store or walmart. Syringes at the feed store, look for one that will fit the end of the tubing. Maybe start with a 35cc syringe.
What type of tubing/catheters did you use for treatment of cats? A small rubber catheter would work too along with a syringe that fits that.

You can use something like Kaytee Baby Bird Formula for feed or make a thin wet slurry out of her feed to tube into her.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/updated-go-team-tube-feeding.805728/#post-12548717

 

[Downtown Chickens]

If you are going to try tube feeding make sure to get the tube in the right place. Watch some YouTube videos there are some very good ones that show how to do it.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I have a 6 month old long tail pullet that is lethargic, very thin, slightly pale and eating/ drinking very little. I have her indoors and have offered scrambled egg/yogurt/applesauce/ chicken crumble that I am feeding my wry neck silkie. Also offering crumble alone, canned cat food, mealworms and birdseed. She has watery diarrhea which is mostly urates. I have given her a drop of Corid daily for the last 3 days. Dropped off a stool sample couple days ago but haven’t heard results back. No other symptoms, no other similarly sick birds. Clean environment, free range in fenced quarter acre during day. Fed mostly Nutrena meatbird ration.

I would call the place you took tge sample to for a confirmation. Usually if you don't hear back it means the sample was clean. Most places don't waste their time giving out good news but it really depends on the vet.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

As for your bird is she eating at all? Drinking? Some nutra drench in the water or electrolytes might help perk her up. How does her crop feel? If shes not eating she might have an obstruction. Also if she isnt eating the feces would be mostly uriates which would explain her poop. Id check her breath and her crop.

 

[casportpony]

Disclaimer: I am not a vet, nor do I have any medical training.

Since almost all sick birds are somewhat hypothermic I would start by placing her in a warm room or hospital cage (80-85 degrees f). Once warm, I would give fluids orally, or maybe orally and subcutaneously, then I would tube food.

When giving fluids orally (must be warmed - ~102f is good), start with 3 ml per 100 grams, wait 60-90 minutes and repeat if crop is clear or mostly clear. I use Gatorade or Pedialyte.

Source: Supportive Care and Emergency Therapy
That link above has very good information. This one has good info too:
Emergency and Critical Care

Where an I get a feeding tube and what size?

A red rubber catheter is ideal, and for one her size, I would say a size 14-18 french would be best.

What food would go thru it?

Kaytee Exact baby bird food is best for tubing. You can get some at Petsmart or Petco.



May I suggest that you go here and sign up?
https://lafeber.com/vet/registration/
Then read these:
https://lafeber.com/vet/tube-feeding-birds/
https://lafeber.com/vet/subcutaneous-fluids-in-birds/

 

[CatWhisperer]

Thank you. She weighed 19.4 oz this morning. I found a tiny tube last night and gave her 10cc water last night and this am. Surprised she is still alive. Will be getting a bigger tube today.