HELP! Hen suddenly sick and injured *UPDATE* 3/15

[usschicago1]

Robin'sBrood :

Thanks, y'all. She is no better. In fact, I think she is getting worse. Even though her abdomen is huge and she is eating her keel bone is sticking out horribly. I noticed yesterday that she closes her eyes a lot more when I'm in the room with her. I'll look for signs of mites and try the mineral oil/worming... don't have much to lose at this point.

Has anyone ever successfully wormed their chickens with garlic? http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1806628/worming_chickens_naturally.html?cat=5

I have never successfully wormed with garlic, though i have never tried it... I think chemicals would stress her body out even more,and make her weaker. i am a huge iinvermectin wormer, but i think your birds condition would be better if you used garlic instead of chemicals. Goodluck.​

 

[Robin'sBrood]

A little encouraging news regarding my Barbara. After reading about worming with garlic (and another post using red pepper) I decided to try something with her. I scrambled 2 eggs and loaded them with both red and cayenne pepper, probably 1/4 tsp of each. After the eggs had cooled for a minute I added about a teaspoon of minced raw garlic. Then I mixed in some plain yogurt. That bird gobbled up that concoction like there was no tomorrow! I refrigerated the leftovers and fed more to her later. The next time I went in to check on her she was on her feet! She hasn't been on her feet like that in a couple of days. I'm not sure if it was the protein boost from the eggs, or what, but she sure seems to be feeling a lot better today than she was yesterday.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

Quote:
I have never successfully wormed with garlic, though i have never tried it... I think chemicals would stress her body out even more,and make her weaker. i am a huge iinvermectin wormer, but i think your birds condition would be better if you used garlic instead of chemicals. Goodluck.

That is what I was thinking too. I'm going to try giving her garlic and red pepper for a few days and see if it helps her. I don't think it can hurt...

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

I never knew that the garlic was for worming! my grandfather told us to put garlic in the water for chicks and sick chickens, and we have never had a problem with worms.

 

[briana1975]

I hope your chicken gets better. I have no new ideas for you, I have had my chickens for almost a year and still just learning as I go.

 

[Gonzo]

I would give it some poly~vi~sol without iron. Get some nutrients in her.

 

[KKatknap]

Robin'sBrood :

A little encouraging news regarding my Barbara. After reading about worming with garlic (and another post using red pepper) I decided to try something with her. I scrambled 2 eggs and loaded them with both red and cayenne pepper, probably 1/4 tsp of each. After the eggs had cooled for a minute I added about a teaspoon of minced raw garlic. Then I mixed in some plain yogurt. That bird gobbled up that concoction like there was no tomorrow! I refrigerated the leftovers and fed more to her later. The next time I went in to check on her she was on her feet! She hasn't been on her feet like that in a couple of days. I'm not sure if it was the protein boost from the eggs, or what, but she sure seems to be feeling a lot better today than she was yesterday.

Hooray! I hope she continues to improve.​

 

[babsbag]

I am new to chickens, but have been reading on the forum every chance I get. Could Barbara have ascites? I know you mentioned a few times that she had a destended belly. I don't know if this is only a disease of Broilers, but I thought I might mention it. There is a bunch of information on it on BYC, of course.

I have been following your thread as I am partial to Barred Rocks and my name in Barbara as well. She is such a pretty girl.

I am glad she is feeling a little better. Hang in there.

 

[Kaela23]

I feel like I am reading a Walter Farley novel and now I am totally invested in your hen. Please keep us updated on her progress. Very interesting about the garlic and cayenne spices.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

She's the same this morning as she was yesterday. Hearty appetite and up on her legs again.

But she still isn't walking the way a chicken should walk, and her tail is still down.

I'm going to make her some oatmeal for lunch.