Joined to find advice/tips on getting a necklace out of my chickens insides :(

[swampfox440]

Was it gold? the only thing that breaks down gold is nitric acid, but it also breaks down chicken! I agree with @RoyalChick but someone else may have some ideas.

 

[FunClucks]

So sorry your chicken swallowed a necklace! This is definitely a post to put in the Emergency Forum. However, I'll tag some of those folks - maybe someone can help you. I would hold off on giving her anything that can break down the necklace (tomatoes, vinegar, lemon juice, etc) - the released metal could poison your chicken. you jsut need to get it out of her as soon as possible, if that's possible.

Laxatives that are chicken safe include coconut oil (you can freeze or fridge it and create balls, then pop them in her mouth like a pill). I would give her multiple "pills" a day, but I'm not an expert - that is just my guess. Molasses is also fine for chickens - watery molasses is used to make Nutridrench, but I'm not sure how well it will work as a laxative.

Most chicken intestines are no bigger around than your little finger, and there's a yard or two of them in each chicken.

Looks like you've already posted in the Emergency forum. I'm sure someone will get back with you soon! I'll tag some folks on your Emergency Forum post.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-her-intestines-vet-said-it-was-near.1589899/

 

[DobieLover]

Hello Jennifer and welcome to BYC.

I think that her gizzard grinding at the metal may cause toxicity. You could try a molasses flush and see if it helps her.

 

[Jenbirdee]

When my cat swallowed a long cord I had to give it laxatives every two hours for 48 hours and then it passed. The other option years ago was surgery being very expensive. I pray that your chicken can pass it. I am not sure what would make a chicken have a laxative effect on its system or if that would work for it. Sorry.

I think Blueberries have a laxative effect. ?And grapes. My hens get diarrhea from eat too many berries . Anyway I found this



Adding molasses to drinking water can have a laxative effect, flushing the gut if a bird eats a toxic substance, or if it has scouring caused by a bacterial infection. Dose: dissolve 50ml of molasses in 2 litres of water; offer to affected birds over 4 hours, then replace with fresh water.

 

[sourland]

 

[RoyalChick]

What about apple cider vinegar with water and chopped up tomatoes? I was told the acidic of it helps break down the metal.

When he recommended porridge, was it to a person who swallowed razor blades?

Yes it was a person who swallowed razor blades. It worked too!
In the vinegar. The acid won’t be strong enough to destroy silver or gold. It will corrode zinc but that risks giving the chicken zinc poisoning.
Personally I wouldn’t do that.

 

[SilverBirds]

Welcome to BYC!
I don't have any advice the others haven't given. Hope your hen passes the necklace and ends up okay.

 

[RoyalChick]

Hello Jennifer and welcome to BYC.

I think that her gizzard grinding at the metal may cause toxicity. You could try a molasses flush and see if it helps her.

Yes. This is quite a dilemma.
I see two big issues one is the toxicity of the metal - depends what the necklace was made of - if gold or silver not a big worry. If zinc a bigger worry. The second is that a long necklace passing through the gut will tangle the intestines and probably cause necrosis of the gut. Third I guess is if there are any sharp parts that could perforate the gut.

I hate to be a downer, but there are more ways this will end badly than ways it will end well.

Grinding in the gizzard if it broke up the necklace would reduce the chances of the tangling issue in the intestines but increase the risk of metal poisoning.

I have no idea but my guess is that the metal poisoning is the lesser issue (you could give chelation pills starting now just in case).

The theory of the porridge is that it will bundle the necklace up in a big glob of sticky stuff and aid its passage down and out. Of course that might not work with how the gizzard operates.

 

[N F C]

Hi @Jennifer010605

I second the suggestion to post in the ER forum: Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures

Best of luck with the hen!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

Oh gosh, I am so sorry! I would definitely try a molasses flush, try and push it all out fast. At this point you have nothing to lose but her, I would try every flush and laxative I could. Good luck with her.