MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

I just can't get over how stunning these black chickens are with their green and purples. Look at her! Just gorgeous. And of course she has such a sweet face too with those big black eyes.

So gorgeous! Sometimes I see a little iridescence in Ivy's black spots, but the phone camera's not up to capturing it. Nor is the photographer, come to think of it

 

[MaryJanet]

I might stop sharing Lorna's recovery updates. Surely everyone is getting tired of the ups and downs.

First thing this morning, she was very light, lighter still late morning. Last night's PB must've been all pellets. Once I had this idea I backtracked and saw most of her PBs were at roosting time (958, 942, 850).

So, I broke both our hearts and made her take 9ml of liquid food before she pushed the needle out.

I've made a mash (liquid food, milk thistle, pellets, kefir, water, chopped tomato) and set a reminder for me to give it to them at 2.30pm in case she's hungry by then (one hour before her next weighing).

 

[MaryJanet]

Anyway here she is in her lunch box this morning.

 

[Lexicon]

I might stop sharing Lorna's recovery updates. Surely everyone is getting tired of the ups and downs.

First thing this morning, she was very light, lighter still late morning. Last night's PB must've been all pellets. Once I had this idea I backtracked and saw most of her PBs were at roosting time (958, 942, 850).

So, I broke both our hearts and made her take 9ml of liquid food before she pushed the needle out.

I've made a mash (liquid food, milk thistle, pellets, kefir, water, chopped tomato) and set a reminder for me to give it to them at 2.30pm in case she's hungry by then (one hour before her next weighing).

View attachment 3362565

I have found the updates interesting, never having experienced anything like this, and I think it is valuable to be able to follow along with your journey as you make decisions on her care. I am amazed at how well she sits for the weigh-ins.

 

[MaryJanet]

I have found the updates interesting, never having experienced anything like this, and I think it is valuable to be able to follow along with your journey as you make decisions on her care. I am amazed at how well she sits for the weigh-ins.

OK. I'll continue sharing updates.

The shallow lunch box trick was something I learned from Mark the vet. He keeps one handy for weighing hens. They feel it's just right and won't struggle. Something about nests and confining the legs maybe? I wouldn't expect it to work for roosters.

 

[MaryJanet]

887g at 3.30pm. She had 8ml of liquid food.

But I heard a squirting/gurgling noise which scared the life out of me. I'd made the food a little thicker than previously as she's had diahorrea quite badly for such a long time now. So I'm hoping it was the noise of the food coming through the needle.

Half the mash was gone, but I suspect her friends of having eaten it. That's OK because they're showing her it's tasty and safe to eat. I've made another to much the same recipe, but without water as the liquid food, keffir and tomato seemed to make it wet enough. I'll let it stand until 6.30pm.

All three pullets are outside running around now and Lorna was very happy to be allowed outside and ran off with her friends. Surely she'd not have been running if I'd filled her lungs with liquid food? As I was refilling their water container, I noticed Janet assert herself over Lorna, who was hiding under a lawn chair. Lorna sprinted for safety. I have never seen her run so fast. So I think I've decided I haven't done her any harm, and the noise I heard was indeed the thicker liquid food coming through the needle.

Hopefully, she'll be above 900g at roosting time and I won't have to feed her

 

[MaryJanet]

The closest I can get to a family photo.

The big four are offended that the red maraders pushed in between them and me.

 

[ManueB]

I just can't get over how stunning these black chickens are with their green and purples. Look at her! Just gorgeous. And of course she has such a sweet face too with those big black eyes.

Yes, she's a very pretty hen, and I agree she has a kind look to her.

887g at 3.30pm. She had 8ml of liquid food.

But I heard a squirting/gurgling noise which scared the life out of me. I'd made the food a little thicker than previously as she's had diahorrea quite badly for such a long time now. So I'm hoping it was the noise of the food coming through the needle.

Half the mash was gone, but I suspect her friends of having eaten it. That's OK because they're showing her it's tasty and safe to eat. I've made another to much the same recipe, but without water as the liquid food, keffir and tomato seemed to make it wet enough. I'll let it stand until 6.30pm.

All three pullets are outside running around now and Lorna was very happy to be allowed outside and ran off with her friends. Surely she'd not have been running if I'd filled her lungs with liquid food? As I was refilling their water container, I noticed Janet assert herself over Lorna, who was hiding under a lawn chair. Lorna sprinted for safety. I have never seen her run so fast. So I think I've decided I haven't done her any harm, and the noise I heard was indeed the thicker liquid food coming through the needle.

Hopefully, she'll be above 900g at roosting time and I won't have to feed her

View attachment 3362712

From what I read, I understand that if you had gotten liquid into her lungs she would have been instantly choking. I agree with Lexicon, I think it's instructive to see how her weight evolves with ups and downs, and of course we are anxious for her to keep some weight on.
Do you think that her weight may have bigger variations both up and down, when she eats solid food ?

 

[MaryJanet]

Do you think that her weight may have bigger variations both up and down, when she eats solid food ?

Let's put it this way: +81g of pellets turned into -110g of pullet overnight.

So whatever's going on, she lost weight without regular liquid food.

But it's stressful for both of us.

I think the routine of crop-feeding her when there are 2 weights below 900g is suitable for now. I hope it's sufficient to support her while she builds her strength and gets better.

I may get some pullet grower crumbles to see if she can do better on them.

 

[RoyalChick]

Let's put it this way: +81g of pellets turned into -110g of pullet overnight.

So whatever's going on, she lost weight without regular liquid food.

But it's stressful for both of us.

I think the routine of crop-feeding her when there are 2 weights below 900g is suitable for now. I hope it's sufficient to support her while she builds her strength and gets better.

I may get some pullet grower crumbles to see if she can do better on them.

Personally I await each weigh in so please don’t stop unless it is distressing you.
Does Dr Mark have any theories on what is wrong with her?