Help I think my Hen is dying

[Sadiew]

My 20 week old hen was chased by an other Hen who just hatched babies she fell of the ramp to coop and landed badly and broke bone in hip area, my local vet cant treat and would have had to send to a specialist in other part of country (they tend not to treat chickens in Spain although vet is very good I think he thinks I am crazy in wanting to save her) anway that was just not an option as I dread to think of what the cost would have been, but he did say possible isolation and rest might heal itself, well for last two weeks I have her in house and made her a nice bed/Sling over a box with plenty of foam padding with cutouts for her legs and poop hole (as she could not stand up to poop and would have caused too much stress with daily baths ) she was doing really good and was eating and drinking well and did seem to be easier on her and not seeemed in so much pain but last few days she is not eating as much and not taking her own chicken feed but has eaten sweetcorn, yoghurt, tuna and boiled egg but today she is very lethargic and seems to want to sleep all the time and is starting to gasp and eaten very little she just puts her head down, it is very warm here but have had fan blowing gently on her, I have only kept chickens and ducks for last few months so learning all the time, is there anything else I can try I am so worried for her I think she might not be here in morning, I so want her to get better and I am getting very attached to her will break my heart if anything happens. Her crop seems okay and no signs of anything in her poop. Is there anything else I can give her or do for her?

 

[Resolution]

You can try poking several pieces of raw ginger root into her crop along with cranberry gel caps- look for the gel caps in a pharmacy - they are sold for people with chronic urinary tract infection- also- try and find some oregano/ marjoram oil and spray directly onto the site of the break. Best of luck with you.

 

[ReikiStar]

I'm very sorry this happened to your hen. How about some fresh air and sunshine? Is there a way you can take her outside to get some fresh grass or bugs?

When you care for them like you're doing, you really do reach a deeper level of connection with them. She might just be a little depressed. From being an active chicken to a hospital patient, that would make me a little depressed. I'd try to give her a change of scenery and see if that doesn't perk her up.

Sounds like you're doing a great job!

 

[Sadiew]

Thanks Resolution wont get pharmacy now until morning but will try those suggetions and go to health shop for oil.

ReikiStar good suggetions yeah that would depress me also. I do move her around house and she does seem to enjoy music and Tv but will get her outside in morning there is no shortage of sunshine here at moment

She wont be able to move to catch bugs but I am sure I can over come my bug fear and get her some yeek

I am hoping for best for her and yiou are so right I am connecting with her big time she is a lovely little hen.

 

[dawg53]

It's possible that there might be unseen internal injuries in addition to the broken bone in hip area affecting her quality of life. You can try vitamin B complex tablets crushed into powder and sprinkle it in her food to eat. It might help her heal quicker, but there are no guarantees with an injury such as this. I wish you the best and good luck.

 

[Sadiew]

Quote:
Thank you will try that also will try anthing that may help thanks again.

 

[chkn]

So it sounds like she's been indoors in a sling for two weeks? You've done an excellent job btw. I think I would give her antibiotics to treat for respiratory infection being that she's been sort of bed ridden and based on her symptoms. Something strong enough to treat pneumonia, etc. Give her some electrolyes in her water. Maybe just a splash of gatorade in a cup. Take a dropper and drop one drop at a time on top of her beak. Watch her move her beak to sip between each drop (or two).

 

[jjthink]

What you describe sounds very worrisome. By gasping do you mean open mouth breathing or an actual raspy gaspy breathing? Sometimes when they open mouth breathe it can mean they are in pain (other times it can mean they are too hot) and would benefit greatly from pain relief (e.g. one baby aspirin [81 mg] crushed in a cup of her drinking water, changed out twice daily ideally). You can dunk bits of her favorite fruits in the aspirin water and hand feed them to try to get some of the pain reliever in her system. Vets might prescribe Metacam instead - whether your local vet would be willing to chat with the avian vet further away and then prescribe for you I don't know..)
If on the other hand she is gasping from difficulty getting air, that is extremely concerning.
If she's not in crisis, sunshine and grass and bugs (when not too hot out) would be such a spirit boost for her if you could get her out there without damaging her healing...
JJ

 

[Sadiew]

Quote:
What are electrolyes? and I have never heard of gatorade maybe we dont get it here but I will certainly look for it.

 

[Sadiew]

Quote:
Just open mouth breathing no raspy noises, I have been giving her baby asprin in her yoghurt as she only ever drank small amounts of water at any one time but she did love her yoghurt until today

Will get her outdoors first thing in morning before it gets too warm.