How often and how much should I force-feed my sick chicken?

[Annie44]

My 'sicken' has a sickness similar to Marek's disease, but it's bacterial so she has a chance of getting over it

. She goes through phases of eating by herself, but mostly she doesn't. I took her to the vet, and the doctor said I should feed her as much as I can of a certain solution he gave me.

So, what would be a good amount to feed my poor sicken? With the vet's answer, I feel like I should be feeding her 24/7, but that is impractical... So, what's a concrete amount? An amount between minimum and maximum?

Thanks!

 

[casportpony]

My 'sicken' has a sickness similar to Marek's disease, but it's bacterial so she has a chance of getting over it

. She goes through phases of eating by herself, but mostly she doesn't. I took her to the vet, and the doctor said I should feed her as much as I can of a certain solution he gave me.

So, what would be a good amount to feed my poor sicken? With the vet's answer, I feel like I should be feeding her 24/7, but that is impractical... So, what's a concrete amount? An amount between minimum and maximum?

Thanks!

Water alone would be 30ml/kg every 6-8 hours. Let me know how much she weighs and I'll come up with some numbers for you.

FWIW, my 3kg rooster gets 120ml several times a day, my 2kg RIR hen has had 120ml twice already, but both of these guys are used to it, so I can get them much fuller than 30ml/kg.

It also depends on if the bird can sit and stand normally as any pressure on the crop can cause them to vomit and aspirate.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Did you get your tube yet?

-Kathy

 

[Annie44]

Did you get your tube yet?

-Kathy

Water alone would be 30ml/kg every 6-8 hours. Let me know how much she weighs and I'll come up with some numbers for you.

FWIW, my 3kg rooster gets 120ml several times a day, my 2kg RIR hen has had 120ml twice already, but both of these guys are used to it, so I can get them much fuller than 30ml/kg.

It also depends on if the bird can sit and stand normally as any pressure on the crop can cause them to vomit and aspirate.

-Kathy

Thanks for all the info! No, we haven't gotten he tube yet, BUT butterfly has begun to eat on her own the bit of medicated chicken feed and water we put out for her. I'm trying to convince my mom that we still need the tube, as I don't think she's eating as much as she should. What do you think?

Butterfly can't sit or stand, her legs are paralyzed, but she can lie down with one leg in front and the other in back like a split. Also, she can lie on her side with her legs sticking out the same way. Which is better for her digestion?

Thanks so so much for all this help!

 

[Annie44]

Oh I forgot to mention: as for how much she weighs, about two pounds I would say. She's about eleven weeks old.