For reference on her case: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...an-this-chook-be-saved-graphic-photo.1670564/
Wednesday, I realized my five year-old EE hen Paloma had flystrike, and thanks to all the posts here, I was able to take immediate action to begin helping her and received some good responses to my questions. She passed a lash egg Friday afternoon, so I have ordered some FishMox to help with that.
She has been in mosquito-netted isolation since Wednesday, other than her baths and a few supervised walks in and visits (through the fence) to the other birds. Last night my husband and I let her free-range with the rest of the flock for an hour or so, during which time our large Buckeye hen tried to start something with Paloma, only for the Buckeye to have to back down.
Paloma's comb has been nice and red, her activity level when I let her stretch her wings and legs in the garage or on walks seems great, and her appetite was very good, but she has not been eating very well for the last couple of days. Beginning maybe Saturday night (and of course I had family in town all weekend) she stopped being interested in any food—her proper feed, mash, scrambled eggs, treats (Scratch & Peck chick feed, a couple of dried split peas, a pumpkin seed). Yet while we are on our walks/recess, she scratches and eats greens and the couple of worms she found most happily. She even tid-bitted for me when she found the worms!
Still, she isn't eating what she ought to, there are maybe one or two droppings in her infirmary which we also cleaned out recently, and I am concerned. Her droppings have gone from pretty normal to watery with green. She does have grit and oyster shell available and there is NutriDrench in her water, and she received a dropperful of the ND yesterday and I'm about to give her another.
My suspicion is that Paloma isn't eating because she is very lonely and unhappy by herself in the infirmary despite my also visiting her and playing peaceful CDs for her. The crate is big, but not big enough to put one of her friends in there with her, and I cannot set up a mosquito-netted infirmary pen for her in the coop until tomorrow (late tonight at the earliest, but that will be iffy).
My husband and I were thinking it might be good to pop her out into the run with the rest of the flock for a few hours this afternoon—I work from home and can keep an ear and eye on things—especially since we will give her another Espsom bath this evening to keep her wound site clean. But I would really appreciate advice. Heck, I'd set up an infirmary in the living room for her if we didn't have a very energetic new (orange!) kitten. I understand the danger with her wound and flies, but at this point, her not eating is the major concern. We thought letting her visit with everyone might encourage her to eat. Thank you, I appreciate your advice.
Wednesday, I realized my five year-old EE hen Paloma had flystrike, and thanks to all the posts here, I was able to take immediate action to begin helping her and received some good responses to my questions. She passed a lash egg Friday afternoon, so I have ordered some FishMox to help with that.
She has been in mosquito-netted isolation since Wednesday, other than her baths and a few supervised walks in and visits (through the fence) to the other birds. Last night my husband and I let her free-range with the rest of the flock for an hour or so, during which time our large Buckeye hen tried to start something with Paloma, only for the Buckeye to have to back down.
Paloma's comb has been nice and red, her activity level when I let her stretch her wings and legs in the garage or on walks seems great, and her appetite was very good, but she has not been eating very well for the last couple of days. Beginning maybe Saturday night (and of course I had family in town all weekend) she stopped being interested in any food—her proper feed, mash, scrambled eggs, treats (Scratch & Peck chick feed, a couple of dried split peas, a pumpkin seed). Yet while we are on our walks/recess, she scratches and eats greens and the couple of worms she found most happily. She even tid-bitted for me when she found the worms!
Still, she isn't eating what she ought to, there are maybe one or two droppings in her infirmary which we also cleaned out recently, and I am concerned. Her droppings have gone from pretty normal to watery with green. She does have grit and oyster shell available and there is NutriDrench in her water, and she received a dropperful of the ND yesterday and I'm about to give her another.
My suspicion is that Paloma isn't eating because she is very lonely and unhappy by herself in the infirmary despite my also visiting her and playing peaceful CDs for her. The crate is big, but not big enough to put one of her friends in there with her, and I cannot set up a mosquito-netted infirmary pen for her in the coop until tomorrow (late tonight at the earliest, but that will be iffy).
My husband and I were thinking it might be good to pop her out into the run with the rest of the flock for a few hours this afternoon—I work from home and can keep an ear and eye on things—especially since we will give her another Espsom bath this evening to keep her wound site clean. But I would really appreciate advice. Heck, I'd set up an infirmary in the living room for her if we didn't have a very energetic new (orange!) kitten. I understand the danger with her wound and flies, but at this point, her not eating is the major concern. We thought letting her visit with everyone might encourage her to eat. Thank you, I appreciate your advice.
