My 19 week old chicken swallowed a hair tie.

[Phrixyys]

I was letting my chickens play with one of those thick-ish hair ties like these

and my cuckoo maran hen who is about 19 weeks old ingested it (or so we think). I looked away for one minute, and it had disappeared. We couldn't find it anywhere she had been, and looked around the whole yard with no such luck. Does anyone know if she will be okay or if there is anything I could do to help her?

 

[KayTee]

Chickens are terrible for eating things that they shouldn't - some will do them harm and some won't.

There's not a lot you can really do for your bird, other than keep an eye on her and keep your fingers crossed that it passes through her. A lot depends upon the size of the hair tie and the size of the bird. If the tie is very big compared to the digestive tract of the bird then it could cause a blockage, as it won't break down and pass through properly.
You could maybe try to feed your bird some vegetable oil (soak bread in it if she won't take it any other way), to help the hair tie pass through.

I would suggest that you keep a very close eye on your bird for the next few days. If she starts to show signs of being ill - not eating, no energy, not pooping etc. then there may be a problem and you may have to get professional advice.

I have my fingers crossed for you and your girl, but I would suggest that this is a lesson learned - don't let your birds play with anything that they shouldn't eat!

 

[Phrixyys]

Thanks so much, for the advice, will definitely try the vegetable oil!

 

[KayTee]

Hi Phrixys - do you have an update on what happened to your bird?
I hope that she is ok, and that the hair tie passed through her without incident, but whether the outcome was good or bad, it would be good if you could let us know. Your experience could help other BYC'ers in the future who are looking for help for a similar problem.