Go team "Tube Feeding!" - Updated 12/29/2019

[casportpony]

I have a sad update on Vespucci. Unfortunately, it looks like he is indeed affected by Marek’s disease virus.

 

[orangesplash]

Best tube feeding video:

• https://lafeber.com/vet/tube-feeding-birds/

The link above requires a login, but I have the video saved to my drive and can email it if anyone wants it.

Two great threads on how to tube feed:

• https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...cken-and-give-subcutaneous-fluid#post_9910754
• https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-guide-pictures-under-construction.1064392/

From Technical Procedures for the Avian Patient, by
Amy B. Johnson, CVT

Crop Feeding
Crop feeding is the main way to provide nutritional support to sick birds. There are many different formulas on the market including; Harrison’s, Kaytee Exact, Zupreem and Pretty Bird. Kaytee Exact makes a formula exclusively for macaws, which require a higher fat content. Crop feeding should only be administered to well hydrated, normothermic birds that are able to stand on their own. Formula should be mixed to an appropriate thickness to provide adequate caloric intake and should be administered at a temperature between 100˚-102˚F. Crop burns can happen at temperatures greater than this and are often not seen for several days. Symptoms of a bird with a crop burn are decreased appetite and drooling. If the burn is severe enough, a fistula will open in the crop and formula will drain from it.

When crop feeding a bird, calculate the volume to be fed at 3ml per 100gms up to every six hours for adults. Juveniles are fed 10 percent of their body weight several times a day. Always check the crop first for food contents or decreased crop motility before feeding. Weighing the bird at the beginning of every day will help determine if it is receiving the appropriate amount of calories.

Crop feeder or crop needles come in several different sizes depending on the size bird. Crop feeders are stainless steel tubes with a ball at the end. They can be purchased through www.vetspecialtyproducts.com. The bird should be restrained properly while the crop feeder is inserted in the bird’s left side of its mouth and directed toward the right side advancing into the crop. The trachea should be palpated separate from the crop feeder with the ball of the crop feeder in the crop. Once placement is confirmed and with the esophagus occluded by the head, the formula is given quickly. While maintaining occlusion of the esophagus the crop feeder is removed and the bird returned to the cage feet first and slowly letting go of the head, making sure the bird does not regurgitate. In the event that the bird should begin regurgitation, leave the bird alone. Aspiration is more likely to happen if the bird is stressed causing increased respiration and inhalation of formula. Monitor the bird for further respiratory signs and adjust technique or volume at next attempt at crop feeding.

Can you email it to me
Please on [email protected]

the chicken has stopped eating.
I’m giving paracetamol after every 4 hours.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@casportpony

 

[Isaac 0]

Can you email it to me
Please on [email protected]

the chicken has stopped eating.
I’m giving paracetamol after every 4 hours.

Sorry to hear about your chicken, could you tell us more about what's going on, how does her crop feel, how long has she not been eating, how does her poop look, Is she drinking, has she has any problems in the past, what is she being fed, how old is she, could you post a picture/video of her?

It is my understanding that Pharbetol is a human analgesic, without the consult of an avian vet I would stop giving it to her since there is no clear indication of what the safe dosage may be for a bird her size.

 

[Emilou]

Found crop needles at "All Bird Products". 6 sizes available.

 

[PeachyLopez127]

Great thread with TONS of info/tips/tricks! We have an 8+ yo RIR Roo (Fred) that we have been treating for bumblefoot x2wks. Weight was 3.4kgs at initial appointment and the vet started him on meloxicam 7.5mg PO SID, TMS 240mg PO BID, fenbendazole(x2 rounds) for Capillaria found during his fecal float, dilute chlorhexadine solution soaks SID-BID, followed by SSD, hydrophilic foam dressing, pool noodle cutout, then vetwrap. He's being kept in a warm, dry environment and typically gets All Flock pellets, fruits, veggies, meal worms and a few scratch grains. He would also typically free range(next to other chickens, but no longer in with them as he is geriatric), but we had to change that up to make sure his feet stay clean and dry. Things were going pretty well until a few days ago when he started backing off his food and becoming progressively lethargic. We were able to get him in for an urgent care exam yesterday, but by that point he had been off food for ~24 or so hours(but still drinking well, if not more than normal), and stools light yellow diarrhea(sorry, I do not have a photo right now). The vet wanted to do full bloodwork, radiographs, and hospitalize him, but we are a small family run 501c3 animal sanctuary, and we just didn't have $1200 to shell out on the spot for full diagnostics. So we went home with SQ fluids and Doxycycline, but as lethargic as he is, he is getting quite cantankerous for oral meds, so I was thinking about trying tube feeding/medicating..

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Great thread with TONS of info/tips/tricks! We have an 8+ yo RIR Roo (Fred) that we have been treating for bumblefoot x2wks. Weight was 3.4kgs at initial appointment and the vet started him on meloxicam 7.5mg PO SID, TMS 240mg PO BID, fenbendazole(x2 rounds) for Capillaria found during his fecal float, dilute chlorhexadine solution soaks SID-BID, followed by SSD, hydrophilic foam dressing, pool noodle cutout, then vetwrap. He's being kept in a warm, dry environment and typically gets All Flock pellets, fruits, veggies, meal worms and a few scratch grains. He would also typically free range(next to other chickens, but no longer in with them as he is geriatric), but we had to change that up to make sure his feet stay clean and dry. Things were going pretty well until a few days ago when he started backing off his food and becoming progressively lethargic. We were able to get him in for an urgent care exam yesterday, but by that point he had been off food for ~24 or so hours(but still drinking well, if not more than normal), and stools light yellow diarrhea(sorry, I do not have a photo right now). The vet wanted to do full bloodwork, radiographs, and hospitalize him, but we are a small family run 501c3 animal sanctuary, and we just didn't have $1200 to shell out on the spot for full diagnostics. So we went home with SQ fluids and Doxycycline, but as lethargic as he is, he is getting quite cantankerous for oral meds, so I was thinking about trying tube feeding/medicating..

Aw, poor Fred! It sounds like you are really doing a lot for him though. I hope he gets better!

 

[micstrachan]

Great thread with TONS of info/tips/tricks! We have an 8+ yo RIR Roo (Fred) that we have been treating for bumblefoot x2wks. Weight was 3.4kgs at initial appointment and the vet started him on meloxicam 7.5mg PO SID, TMS 240mg PO BID, fenbendazole(x2 rounds) for Capillaria found during his fecal float, dilute chlorhexadine solution soaks SID-BID, followed by SSD, hydrophilic foam dressing, pool noodle cutout, then vetwrap. He's being kept in a warm, dry environment and typically gets All Flock pellets, fruits, veggies, meal worms and a few scratch grains. He would also typically free range(next to other chickens, but no longer in with them as he is geriatric), but we had to change that up to make sure his feet stay clean and dry. Things were going pretty well until a few days ago when he started backing off his food and becoming progressively lethargic. We were able to get him in for an urgent care exam yesterday, but by that point he had been off food for ~24 or so hours(but still drinking well, if not more than normal), and stools light yellow diarrhea(sorry, I do not have a photo right now). The vet wanted to do full bloodwork, radiographs, and hospitalize him, but we are a small family run 501c3 animal sanctuary, and we just didn't have $1200 to shell out on the spot for full diagnostics. So we went home with SQ fluids and Doxycycline, but as lethargic as he is, he is getting quite cantankerous for oral meds, so I was thinking about trying tube feeding/medicating..

Good on you! Tube feeding will be great for you to have in your tool kit. I learned this winter and am so glad.

 

[mg15]

Great thread with TONS of info/tips/tricks! We have an 8+ yo RIR Roo (Fred) that we have been treating for bumblefoot x2wks. Weight was 3.4kgs at initial appointment and the vet started him on meloxicam 7.5mg PO SID, TMS 240mg PO BID, fenbendazole(x2 rounds) for Capillaria found during his fecal float, dilute chlorhexadine solution soaks SID-BID, followed by SSD, hydrophilic foam dressing, pool noodle cutout, then vetwrap. He's being kept in a warm, dry environment and typically gets All Flock pellets, fruits, veggies, meal worms and a few scratch grains. He would also typically free range(next to other chickens, but no longer in with them as he is geriatric), but we had to change that up to make sure his feet stay clean and dry. Things were going pretty well until a few days ago when he started backing off his food and becoming progressively lethargic. We were able to get him in for an urgent care exam yesterday, but by that point he had been off food for ~24 or so hours(but still drinking well, if not more than normal), and stools light yellow diarrhea(sorry, I do not have a photo right now). The vet wanted to do full bloodwork, radiographs, and hospitalize him, but we are a small family run 501c3 animal sanctuary, and we just didn't have $1200 to shell out on the spot for full diagnostics. So we went home with SQ fluids and Doxycycline, but as lethargic as he is, he is getting quite cantankerous for oral meds, so I was thinking about trying tube feeding/medicating..

I have tubed with a sick bird. The first tubing I used Exact but half water half powder. If no eating maybe a little pedialyte first. I really does sound ominous but then they snap back. I just lost my oldest girl RIR she was a vigorous eater but in the fall she was loosing weight. She is geriatric because of her feet that were terribly arthritic. Only took about a week from her hobbling to not walking only looked like she needed a cane. She has been like that for two years. When I brought her in for supplemental care she was fine. But I noticed she had some nose filling with pus. So I did give her the doxycycline. It gave her diarrhea. I gave her one more dose. But it caused the diarrhea again I lost her. She just was not up to eating. She was just too far down. I am now aware that the geriatric girls do not have the spunky come backs like the young girls.

 

[PrimroseMom1]

Just wanted to share some crop feeding videos that I found.

Crop feeding videos

These are using a crop needle, not a plastic tube.

This one uses a tube like I use

The hardest part is getting them to hold still. Ducks have a different shaped crop, so that's probably why you can't feel it filling. Duck looks like the one on the left:

​

-Kathy

Great info. Thanks!!

Even an 18 is too small for crumbles unless you put them in a blender first. I'm too lazy, so I use "big Bertha", the 30... Takes less than three mintutes to make the mixture, catch the bird and tube 120ml-180ml (2-3 60ml syringes for the bigger birds).

*Start off giving 2-3 ml per 100 grams of body weight and slowly work up to 5 ml per 100 grams of body weight. The average 5 pound hen should get 45-70 ml to start.

this is fabulous. Thanks so much!