Help! Hen is lethargic, does not have appetite, watery poops

[casportpony]

I can't get a tube today but I probably can tomorrow or later. Since I don't have a tube I tried feeding her with a syringe but she fought me and I didn't get a drop into her.

I think it would be the same thing with tube feeding.
Do you have any idea what's wrong with her? I was thinking maybe she has a crop or intestine impaction. I bought some Epsom salt because it can act as a laxative but I haven't given her any yet.

You'll find tube feeding much easier than syringe feeding. What she needs now are fluids, lots of it and NO epsom salts! I can help you by phone once you have your supplies.

-Kathy

 

[ChickenPeep]

Ok, I will not give her the Epsom salts. I actually might have aquarium tubing but I will need to check.
Thank you SO much for all of your help! I may take you up on that help by phone offer.

 

[casportpony]

Ok, I will not give her the Epsom salts. I actually might have aquarium tubing but I will need to check.
Thank you SO much for all of your help! I may take you up on that help by phone offer.

I promise you that it's easy. One of the best ways to get the crop clear is to give fluids, lots of it.

-Kathy

 

[Eggcessive]

Chicken Peep, how old is your hen? Has she ever laid any shell-less eggs or eggs that have broken inside her vent? Has she lost a lot of weight hen you feel her breast bone or keel? Is her lower belly swollen? What is her breed? I was just wondering if she may be an internal layer or have egg yolk peritonitis. That can be common in hens 2 and older.

 

[ChickenPeep]

@casportpony , I found some aquarium tubing that is a little longer than a foot and a bunch of syringes. The only problem is that the syringes are all 6cc.

I was thinking about just using several at a time because I don't know if I will be able to get to TSC tomorrow.

Also, how can I smooth theend of the tube? You suggested melting, what is the best way to do that? Is there a better way than melting? Again, thank you SO MUCH for aall your help, I really, really appreciate it!

@Eggcessive , she is a 2 1/2 y/o silkie-cochin cross. I don't think she has lost much weight, but her abdomen is very very slightly swollen. Really not much though. She has never laid a shell-less egg but she has laid soft-shelled eggs before. This whole summer she has been laying like a champ and hasn't had a soft-shelled egg in a long time, probably since this winter. I don't really think peritonitis is the problem but I could be wrong.

I am going to check her crop again in the morning and possibly attempt to tube feed.... wish me luck.

I have the aquarium tube soaking in bleach and hot water just to be sire it's clean

 

[casportpony]

Some people use a cigarette lighter to melt the end a little. The goal is to get is smooth and a good test to see if it smooth enough would be to rub it on the inside of your mouth. If that's painful, it's still to sharp to tube with. Make sense?

-Kathy

 

[ChickenPeep]

Yes, that makes sense. I used a lighter and melted it a little and it is much smoother now. I third a little to tube feed her but I couldn't even get her mouth open and she fought me really hard. I will probably need someone else to hold her for me. She seems like she is feeling a little better today and she ate a few bites of eggs and bread soaked in water. She had been walking around more and she drank a considerable amount of water.

 

[ChickenPeep]

After I tube fed her the first time she seemed to perk up a bit. I let her rest and then the next day I tube fed her again. Now, all the sudden she is miraculously totally fine and herself again. She was actually doing so well that I was able to take her to the county fair, and that's where she is right now! I have no idea what was ever wrong with her, but I'm just so glad that she got over it so fast. Thank you all, especially @casportpony for all your help! I really, really appreciate it!

 

[casportpony]

After I tube fed her the first time she seemed to perk up a bit. I let her rest and then the next day I tube fed her again. Now, all the sudden she is miraculously totally fine and herself again. She was actually doing so well that I was able to take her to the county fair, and that's where she is right now! I have no idea what was ever wrong with her, but I'm just so glad that she got over it so fast. Thank you all, especially @casportpony for all your help! I really, really appreciate it!

I am so happy for you! Good luck at the fair!

-Kathy

 

[the chickflick]

love hearing good news like this!