HELP!!!!! Silkie pullet dying :(

[mrsgarden]

How is your Silkie? I have an injured bird as well and am having a terrible time using a dropper to feed her electrolytes/vitamins. As soon as I pry open her beak, she wiggles her head away, this happens over and over. Impossible. Anyone have suggestions? I'm headed back to see her again and am so nervous to see her condition.

 

[Fancychooklady]

How is your Silkie? I have an injured bird as well and am having a terrible time using a dropper to feed her electrolytes/vitamins. As soon as I pry open her beak, she wiggles her head away, this happens over and over. Impossible. Anyone have suggestions? I'm headed back to see her again and am so nervous to see her condition.

Hi and
If her wattles are big enough the best way to administer meds is tuck her under your arm and using the hand on that arm gently pull the wattle down and use your free hand to syringe the meds in .
Be sure to do it slow enough that she has time to swallow and just a drop at a time. It is very easy to aspirate a chicken. There are also products available that you can add to their water, such as nutr- drench or avian super pack.

 

[casportpony]

How is your Silkie? I have an injured bird as well and am having a terrible time using a dropper to feed her electrolytes/vitamins. As soon as I pry open her beak, she wiggles her head away, this happens over and over. Impossible. Anyone have suggestions? I'm headed back to see her again and am so nervous to see her condition.

Welcome to BYC! This is how I do them:

These first two pictures are from:http://www.hopkinslivestock.com/oral_dosing_article.htm
The hole at the back of the tongue is the trachea - Nothing should ever go in there!



Or like this:
Please note that I was the one holding the bird and taking the pictures, please use both hands!

• Hold bird - I like to sit with my thighs parallel to the ground, feet firmly on ground and the bird in my lap. I hold it gently, but firmly and grab the head.

• Open mouth and wait for bird to relax.

• Insert syringe - I like to insert from left to right, across the tongue, behind the trachea, into the oesophagus. Again, wait for the bird to relax.

• Give meds

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

FYI, there is no safe way to eye dropper or syringe feed a sick bird enough fluids to do much good. Tube feeding is much safer and way less stressful to both the bird and that handler. I am available by phone to help guide you.

Tube Feeding Videos and Information

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

I just re-read the post... what type of bird is this?

-Kathy

 

[The Colonel]

My silkie decided it was time to join the pet cemetery. It sucks because my wife worked her butt off to try and save her. We tried everything we could, but it wasn't in the books for her. Still can't believe it all from the start.

 

[casportpony]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[The Colonel]

Sorry for your loss.

Thank you Kathy that means a lot. First one I've had to die slowly. I've lost a few to dog attacks, and that was over pretty quick needless to say. I decided after watching her last night it was time. She went so far downhill from yesterday morning to last night. Almost like final destination if that makes any sense. It's like she wasn't meant to make it. Kinda weird

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I'm really sorry for your loss. Sometimes despite your best efforts, it just is not possible to save the chicken. I know how hard that is. At least you and your wife did what you could.