Hen Losing Weight

[JensChickies]

Ok, it has been ordered so now we wait.

Bay bay...how is she doing today?

 

[BayBay Peepers]

It looks like she is trying to eat on her own. The dish was almost empty when I got home from work yesterday. Some was dumped, but at least she is showing interest. She hasn't tried to drink on her own so I'm still tubing in lots of water. We're also tubing in food yet because I'm worried she's still not getting enough. She's very wobbly on her feet, but I think it's from being so malnourished and I'm hoping she'll slowly start to come around. There is improvement though so as long as she's still going I'm going to keep pumping in food and water. Tonight will be the last dose of the metacam and the vet did say if I needed more I could call this afternoon. I think I may get some just in case.

Looks like this girl may stay in all Winter hehe

How is yours doing?

 

[JensChickies]

It looks like she is trying to eat on her own.  The dish was almost empty when I got home from work yesterday.  Some was dumped, but at least she is showing interest.  She hasn't tried to drink on her own so I'm still tubing in lots of water.   We're also tubing in food yet because I'm worried she's still not getting enough.  She's very wobbly on her feet, but I think it's from being so malnourished and I'm hoping she'll slowly start to come around.  There is improvement though so as long as she's still going I'm going to keep pumping in food and water.  Tonight will be the last dose of the metacam and the vet did say if I needed more I could call this afternoon.  I think I may get some just in case.

Looks like this girl may stay in all Winter hehe

How is yours doing?

I'm so glad to hear that! Mine was wobbly too a little, but as her strength grew over time it went away . If it makes you feel better, I just stopped tubing liquids and fluids and I am testing her too see how she's doing. I tubed her for around a month. I'm glad she's improving. Hopefully she will improve with the baytril. Mine is doing better, I took her yesterday for a re check CBC, so I hope it improves. Even if it didn't, she herself has improved, so I'm happy about that. Don't worry mine still sleeps inside at night. I put her outside to be a chicken during the day and instead of going to the coop she comes to the back door now. Lol....they are such creatures of habit.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

It sounds like we're following suite of you and your hen we're only on week two so hopefully by the month mark she's steadier on her feet.

I always joked that I would stick a diaper on a chicken and let them roam the house, but now it looks like I might actually do it haha I can't help but think that in a few weeks it's going to be really cold and what a shock it would be for her to go from a heated house to a frozen tundra. But then again, maybe I'm thinking too far ahead and should just focus on getting her weight up

 

[JensChickies]

It sounds like we're following suite of you and your hen   we're only on week two so hopefully by the month mark she's steadier on her feet.

I always joked that I would stick a diaper on a chicken and let them roam the house, but now it looks like I might actually do it haha  I can't help but think that in a few weeks it's going to be really cold and what a shock it would be for her to go from a heated house to a frozen tundra. But then again, maybe I'm thinking too far ahead and should just focus on getting her weight up

Lol. I know what you mean. I live in Northern California and the winters don't even get too cold here, but I can't put her out yet because she's only 4punds. This weight gain has been a roller coaster too! She was going up and down, up and down because of the infection, but now she is steady on her weight. Gradually gaining.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

That is such good news

 

[JensChickies]

Ok so I forgot to update on the CBC. Her white blood cell count (specifically lymphocyte s had gone down.) Still slightly anemic so we will do a quick re check of her PCV in a couple weeks. I told the doctor at I am very happy her quality of life has improved. He said that the baytrial is way more effective for infections. Bay bay, I can't wait until you get the baytril. Keep in mind that the other vet said her high lymphocyte was because she had Mereks or some other lymphoid something disease. So for a month I was convinced my chicken had Mereks! I hope your girl continues to improve! Plus not all vets are right...they get blinded by Mereks disease diagnosis, so pretty much give up. Give the baytril....its helped so much!

 

[BayBay Peepers]

The only bummer about the Baytril is there was no tracking number. I'm hoping it shows up soon there wasn't an option for next day air. She's still really weak. I tubed her about an hour ago and she's kind of propped in the corner. I picked up extra metacam, not that she can tell me she wants more, but at least it's on hand.
I was looking at other threads and some people mentioned using a mirror so the chicken doesn't feel alone. Do you do this? Or does your hen seem fine by herself? I did take mine out in the sun last weekend and her friends came for a visit, but we haven't had any warm sunny days since then. Yesterday it was so dang cloudy, I got home from work and the house was so dark it was like night. I worry that she won't get enough sunlight to get her move if that makes sense. And I certainly don't want her to be depressed without sun or a buddy.

 

[JensChickies]

The only bummer about the Baytril is there was no tracking number. I'm hoping it shows up soon there wasn't an option for next day air. She's still really weak. I tubed her about an hour ago and she's kind of propped in the corner. I picked up extra metacam, not that she can tell me she wants more, but at least it's on hand.
I was looking at other threads and some people mentioned using a mirror so the chicken doesn't feel alone. Do you do this? Or does your hen seem fine by herself? I did take mine out in the sun last weekend and her friends came for a visit, but we haven't had any warm sunny days since then. Yesterday it was so dang cloudy, I got home from work and the house was so dark it was like night. I worry that she won't get enough sunlight to get her move if that makes sense. And I certainly don't want her to be depressed without sun or a buddy.

Just keep supporting her, she will get back her strength as soon as the infection starts to go away. Her poop is still that green color right? Baytril turned my chickens poop brown after day 3 or 4. That other antibiotic didn't touch her poop, just made her worse.
Yes I took her out with my other chickens for quick visits, but I never left her out there until I thought she was improving. I just wanted her to realize that she's still a chicken. It's funny you mention the mirror. She always jumps up on the counter and just chills there (she stats in our extra bathroom). Maybe she is talking to the other chicken lol. It sucks because I have to clean and disinfect the counter all the time now, but she is always up there.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Her poop is indeed still green. As punishment for tube feeding she let it fly all over my lap hahaha Not funny that it's green, but you know. I tried to rig up a contraption that would make it easier to hold her in place while feeding, but I need a bigger box so she can't reach the bottom. This girl is a kicker when it comes to the tube. These moments alone tell me she is a fighter and she's not giving up. I was hoping the Baytril would be here today, but that was a no go. Maybe Monday? I'm anxious to kick whatever bacteria she has in the bootox and I'm sure she is too.