My lil crooked beak easter egger, Fandango, used to be soooo perky. But now I think she is just not getting enuff food or protein.
Another problem (actually I think this is the main problem) is that when she drinks (and she is constantly thirsty since her beak is open all the time), she has to put her head back ALL the way, and so half of it runs down her throat and belly, so the poor lil thang is wet all the time. All she does now is run to the food bowl, eat, then runs to the water bowl, then runs over to the space heater I have going for her to huddle by it til she dries, then repeats the cycle all over. She refuses any treats and anything different other than her food, but cries like mad when the others get treats. The only treat I ever got her to eat was a one very tiny earthworm and she was sooooo thrilled with it, it was pitiable. She is so small I am afraid of gapes, but I might just have to go dig a few up to get some food in her at this rate.
I have only been able to add a bit of dried rice (she refused warm or cooked) to her food. I MIGHT be able to sneak some boiled egg in there, would this be a good idea?
She has grown perhaps 1/2 ounce in the last week, and the others her age are now three times her size...
Should I add pedialyte? Sugar water? And would having her drink from one of those hamster style bottles be better, or would that just dribble all over her too, I am thinking it would just pour on her since she would have to poke it with her top beak and same prob would ensue. She is still pretty strong, but losing ground and momma is at a loss here. I have steeled myself to eventually losing her, but am gonna try everything I can to keep her goin. If it takes digging tiny earthworms so small I need my reading glasses to see them, well by dangie I guess I could do it....
Another problem (actually I think this is the main problem) is that when she drinks (and she is constantly thirsty since her beak is open all the time), she has to put her head back ALL the way, and so half of it runs down her throat and belly, so the poor lil thang is wet all the time. All she does now is run to the food bowl, eat, then runs to the water bowl, then runs over to the space heater I have going for her to huddle by it til she dries, then repeats the cycle all over. She refuses any treats and anything different other than her food, but cries like mad when the others get treats. The only treat I ever got her to eat was a one very tiny earthworm and she was sooooo thrilled with it, it was pitiable. She is so small I am afraid of gapes, but I might just have to go dig a few up to get some food in her at this rate.
I have only been able to add a bit of dried rice (she refused warm or cooked) to her food. I MIGHT be able to sneak some boiled egg in there, would this be a good idea?
She has grown perhaps 1/2 ounce in the last week, and the others her age are now three times her size...
Should I add pedialyte? Sugar water? And would having her drink from one of those hamster style bottles be better, or would that just dribble all over her too, I am thinking it would just pour on her since she would have to poke it with her top beak and same prob would ensue. She is still pretty strong, but losing ground and momma is at a loss here. I have steeled myself to eventually losing her, but am gonna try everything I can to keep her goin. If it takes digging tiny earthworms so small I need my reading glasses to see them, well by dangie I guess I could do it....
