Help hen with pasty butt?!

[kattabelly]

Sadly we don’t have the advantage of big mainland supermarkets, is calcium carbonate ok? I think our local co-op will have it. If I order online might not come I time. Thank you!

As far as I know, carbonate is slower acting but should do in a pinch unless you have a reason to believe that bird has a problem processing calcium in carbonate form.

("Not mainland" makes me really curious as to whereabouts you are but no bother at all if you'd rather not be specific!)

 

[kattabelly]

Also how would I give it to her she’s only taking liquids at the moment.

Gentle pull down on her wattles and pop it in her beak, just not right at the front in case she spits it out.

Wrap her in a towel or have someone hold her still if she's uncooperative.

 

[MarlaMac]

Gentle pull down on her wattles and pop it in her beak, just not right at the front in case she spits it out.

Wrap her in a towel or have someone hold her still if she's uncooperative.

Also, I have one hen who stubbornly sits with the pill in her mouth until she has an opportunity to throw it. I have found that if I coat the pill in coconut oil she will readily swallow it. I would say get the carbonate for immediate use, but if it were me, I would order the citrate to have on hand.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sadly we don’t have the advantage of big mainland supermarkets, is calcium carbonate ok? I think our local co-op will have it. If I order online might not come I time. Thank you!

Calcium Carbonate will be fine.
Do you have access to an antiacid like TUMS or store brand?
If so, give her 1TUMS once daily for a few days.

I've found that TUMS does not dissolve very well in water, so it would be difficult to syringe. Since she's not eating, try crushing the TUMS up finely and mix it with a little coconut oil, roll that into a ball or even a couple of small balls sort of like pills, place those in the freezer or fridge for a little while, this will harden the coconut oil. Then open her beak, pop the piece of coconut oil/TUMS into the beak and let her swallow.

She's only drinking? Is her crop full? Any difficulty in swallowing? I'd continue to let her have water free choice during waking hours.

It looks like she has some bloat, does her abdomen feel tight like a drum?

Example of TUMS. Here in the U.S. often small rolls can be found at gas stations/convenience stores or there's also larger bottles.

 

[kattabelly]

I think the UK equivalent of TUMS would be Rennies.

 

[MarlaMac]

I think the UK equivalent of TUMS would be Rennies.

I have read the magnesium carbonate can interfere with the aborbsion of calcium in chickens... @Wyorp Rock - thoughts?

"
Magnesium carbonate in chicken diets requires careful consideration due to its potential to interfere with calcium absorption and overall poultry health.

• Adverse Effects: High levels of magnesium carbonate (as found in dolomitic limestone) can compete with calcium for absorption sites in the gut, reducing calcium availability. "

 

[Pebbles25]

As far as I know, carbonate is slower acting but should do in a pinch unless you have a reason to believe that bird has a problem processing calcium in carbonate form.

("Not mainland" makes me really curious as to whereabouts you are but no bother at all if you'd rather not be specific!)

Ok I should be able to get some tomorrow! Thanks

 

[Pebbles25]

Also, I have one hen who stubbornly sits with the pill in her mouth until she has an opportunity to throw it. I have found that if I coat the pill in coconut oil she will readily swallow it. I would say get the carbonate for immediate use, but if it were me, I would order the citrate to have on hand.

Snowdrop is quite good at taking syringed water, so hopefully she will be good. Just I’m not sure if she will eat it and not just hold it in her mouth while I poke and prod trying to get her to eat it. I had that with the last chicken that died with water.

 

[Pebbles25]

Calcium Carbonate will be fine.
Do you have access to an antiacid like TUMS or store brand?
If so, give her 1TUMS once daily for a few days.

I've found that TUMS does not dissolve very well in water, so it would be difficult to syringe. Since she's not eating, try crushing the TUMS up finely and mix it with a little coconut oil, roll that into a ball or even a couple of small balls sort of like pills, place those in the freezer or fridge for a little while, this will harden the coconut oil. Then open her beak, pop the piece of coconut oil/TUMS into the beak and let her swallow.

She's only drinking? Is her crop full? Any difficulty in swallowing? I'd continue to let her have water free choice during waking hours.

It looks like she has some bloat, does her abdomen feel tight like a drum?

Example of TUMS. Here in the U.S. often small rolls can be found at gas stations/convenience stores or there's also larger bottles.
View attachment 4301718

I’ll have to have a look. Yes she’s only drinking and I’m having to remind her by dipping her beak in it or syringing it onto the top of her beak. Her crop feels like sour crop at the moment and it’s not emptying. She seems fine with drinking water. It feels more squishy I would say but maybe more normal squishy. I’d have to compare her to another chicken. Thank you!