Hen Losing Weight

[JensChickies]

I really don't know.  Part of me thinks it was just her way of getting me to buy their feed.  They do that with my dogs.  They want us to switch to their "medicated" food, but I find better ingredients at our pet store. 
The vet and the lady at the feed store both recommended giving up, but I just don't think we're there yet.  She doesn't seem to be in pain and suffering right now.  As long as I can get food and water in her and she seems perky I'm going to keep going. 
I'm going to try splitting the feedings up.  I'd like to continue with the Kaytee because she seems to be improving and I offer her feed free choice with worms and scrambled eggs.  She goes for the eggs and worms still and turns her nose to her regular feed.  She never did that before.  I think she's telling me she needs something more.

Wow. Everyone is so quick to give up on her. That's sad. Keep up your good work, you keep doing what you think is best.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

They really are, but that's ok. I'm not.

Unfortunately the calcium in that feed is only .9%-1.4% but maybe it will work with that supplement. I did order it. Can't hurt to try more stuff. I'll keep looking I'm sure I can find something to balance out.

 

[casportpony]

Purina makes a 30% gamebird starter. Like other starters, it doesn't have enough calcium for laying hens. Nutrena makes something called feather fixer, but it's only 18%.

-Kathy

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I couldn't fit the feed down the tube no matter how long I soaked it. I ended up using the Kay tee and put a crushed calcium pill in it. I'll have to search for a bigger tube.

 

[JensChickies]

I couldn't fit the feed down the tube no matter how long I soaked it. I ended up using the Kay tee and put a crushed calcium pill in it. I'll have to search for a bigger tube.

Do you think she is egg bound??? Maybe ask your doctor about heavy metal poisioning. The vet had told me it's very common, so they took a quick X-ray of her just to see if there was metal in her. Of course they didn't see any. But if they did there was medication that could counter act the metal. I guess the symptoms present as lethargic/anorexia/dehydration/fluffed up...etc. maybe that's an option??

 

[casportpony]

Did you try putting the food in a blender?

-Kathy

 

[JensChickies]

I wish it could be something as easy as that. Give some meds and they get better.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I have a small blender like thing. Not sure what it's actually considered. I also tried crushing each individual piece into powder. With the vets syringe and tube I can get it in the syringe but it clogs the tube. With mine it clogs the syringe. And saddle my tube doesn't fit on the vets syringe.
As far as xray i don't think I can add that expense. Also she did question egg bound, but without feeling any swelling she didn't think that was it. If that were it I wonder if the only option is surgery in which case I have to pass. I think that's touch for a hen in her condition and sadly I can't see putt money into that if I could set it aside for a future emergency.
So far her weight has been steady. I'll have to find a way to squeeze a little more in her. She tries to eat on her own, but still isn't actually eating much. And I noticed she is much more interested in food after we put the tube down. But she never looks at the water which is my main concern.

 

[JensChickies]

I have a small blender like thing. Not sure what it's actually considered. I also tried crushing each individual piece into powder. With the vets syringe and tube I can get it in the syringe but it clogs the tube. With mine it clogs the syringe. And saddle my tube doesn't fit on the vets syringe.
As far as xray i don't think I can add that expense. Also she did question egg bound, but without feeling any swelling she didn't think that was it. If that were it I wonder if the only option is surgery in which case I have to pass. I think that's touch for a hen in her condition and sadly I can't see putt money into that if I could set it aside for a future emergency.
So far her weight has been steady. I'll have to find a way to squeeze a little more in her. She tries to eat on her own, but still isn't actually eating much. And I noticed she is much more interested in food after we put the tube down. But she never looks at the water which is my main concern.

Mine looked at water and drank but it took about 2 weeks. So just keep hanging in there.

 

[casportpony]

Thought you two might find the hydration info in this link interesting... It explains the importance of hydrating before feeding.
http://www.blueridgewildlife.org/Articles/Basic Stabilization of Wildlife.pdf

-Kathy