Help! I think my hen ate pebbles???

[DWok]

Certainly. Below is a photo showing how to insert an oral syringe into the esophagus, by-passing the airway at the center of the throat. Inserting the tubing is the same.

You will shorten the tubing to about nine or ten inches, cutting the excess off at the bottom. Dealing with a shorter tube is much easier.

You will wrap her in a towel tightly to confine wings and feet. Pry open her beak and insert the tube into the right side as shown. Gently wiggle it so it slips just under the side of her tongue and into the entrance to the esophagus. It should go in about three inches. If she coughs, back it out and try again. When you have it inserted properly, the patient is calm and quiet.

It can help to have a helper, one to hold the chicken and the other to do the tubing, but most of us manage it alone by steadying the tube in the beak with the weak hand while operating the syringe and solution with the strong hand.

If at any time she suddenly struggles, wait until she settles down again to continue. The first time, just take it nice and slow and learn and get comfortable with your technique. It can't injure the chicken. It's safe. No fluids will get into the airway. The second time you do it, you will amaze yourself at how easy it is. The third time you can tube in your sleep. Well, figuratively speaking.

Any questions, please ask.View attachment 3880456View attachment 3880457

Thank you so much. I guess my next question is what I should be putting in the syringe and how much should I give her? Once I do this should I be doing the crop massage I’m reading about? I’m just not sure if the order of things and what’s best.

 

[Eggcessive]

I think this is the size feeding tube used for food in chickens 16 French:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CY4P2X3...015f&s=hpc&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw

For just fluids, raw egg, or yogurt, I have used either an 12-14 inch section of aquarium air tubing (Walmart fish aisle) or oxygen tubing. You can take a lighter and slightly melt the cut end to soften the edges so that it doesn’t scrape the throat. Those will connect to the standard feed store 35 ml syringe. In the Amazon ad, that one is a catheter tip syringe.

 

[DWok]

I think this is the size feeding tube used for food in chickens 16 French:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CY4P2X3...015f&s=hpc&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw

For just fluids, raw egg, or yogurt, I have used either an 12-14 inch section of aquarium air tubing (Walmart fish aisle) or oxygen tubing. You can take a lighter and slightly melt the cut end to soften the edges so that it doesn’t scrape the throat. Those will connect to the standard feed store 35 ml syringe. In the Amazon ad, that one is a catheter tip syringe.

Okay thank you. If I can find the correct size for feeding what should I be giving her? Or just fluids? And how much?

 

[azygous]

You jumped ahead to asking how tube feeding is performed. We haven't gotten to what we're going to put into the tube yet because we haven't yet figured out if she has an intestinal blockage, a simple crop issue, or if she's just weak from hunger and dehydration.

 

[azygous]

We left off at trying to stabilize your hen with the sugar water. If she has vastly improved by tonight on the sugar water, that will help narrow things down. Next step is to withhold all food and water from this evening until morning and check her crop. Re-read my article on how to do that.

After we assess her crop in the morning, we may be closer to knowing what to put into the tube. Have you obtained the tubing kit yet?

To summarize, we must first figure out what is wrong with your hen before we can treat her.

 

[azygous]

If I may ask, are you an adult?

 

[DWok]

Okay thank you. If I can find the correct size for feeding what should I be giving her? Or just fluids? And how much?

Ignoring your question about being an adult - I’m trying my best here to use a message board I’m unfamiliar with to help my hen with an issue I’ve never ever had to deal with, I’m going by what people are telling me, while simultaneously being at work.

That aside because what matters is getting her better, yes I just drove to a vet willing to sell me the feeding tube, I’m here now waiting for them to bring it out to me.

I asked the questions I’ve asked about process and what to feed, etc. because it is a holiday and most people are busy, I want to have all of the information possible for when the time comes. I’m sorry if I’m coming across as inexperienced it’s because I am. It doesn’t mean I’m a child. I appreciate everyone’s help.

 

[azygous]

Please don't take offense. We deal with people of all ages here, and I want to tailor my advice when needed. I, myself have a developmental disorder which makes it difficult at times for me to communicate, and I often become frustrated when it appears I'm not making myself understood.

If we both try to be patient and not lose our way here, we will figure out what's going on with your hen and give her the treatment she needs hopefully to get better.

 

[DWok]

Please don't take offense. We deal with people of all ages here, and I want to tailor my advice when needed. I, myself have a developmental disorder which makes it difficult at times for me to communicate, and I often become frustrated when it appears I'm not making myself understood.

If we both try to be patient and not lose our way here, we will figure out what's going on with your hen and give her the treatment she needs hopefully to get better.

Thank you, I very much appreciate you, your openness, and your attitude! You’re why I’ve made it through this day. I just wanted to explain myself as well. I’m going to show you the feeding tube they gave me.

 

[azygous]

Is your hen able to drink the sugar water on her own now? If she has not been able to, you may try tubing the sugar water.

I shorten the tube to around nine inches as that's easier for me to deal with alone. If you have help, you can try it the length it is if you like.

If you have poultry vitamins, you can add a dose to the sugar water, and if the hen is perking up, you can add a raw egg to this solution. Getting nourishment into her will help stabilize her.