My hens comb is purple!

[Chickenfriend44]

In my backyard, I have two little ponds (man made) and about 15 minutes ago my chicken, Carmen, fell in and thank god I heard her cry for help. Anyway, I am sitting by the fireplace with her because she is shivering and her comb is somewhat purple! Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[azygous]

Quickly warm her by running a big bath towel in the dryer until it's warm, then wrap her in it. Next, turn her onto her back and take a warm hair dryer to her wing pits and breast. There's maximum blood flow in these areas and it can quickly warm her entire body.

When she appears to be feeling a little better and her comb is redder, offer her warm Gatoraid or warm sugar water with just a pinch of salt.

 

[Chickenfriend44]

Keep re-warming the towel in the dryer and keep up the warm hair dryer until she perks up enough to drink. Getting the electrolytes and warm fluids into her is critical to head off shock.

Ok I’m working as hard as possible! You have no idea how much I appreciate this thank you so much.

 

[Chickenfriend44]

Is she rattling and gurgling when she breathes? If so, it could be she took in some water when she was in the pond. If the water is in her lungs, it will make her recovery more precarious.

No thank goodness

 

[azygous]

Keep re-warming the towel in the dryer and keep up the warm hair dryer until she perks up enough to drink. Getting the electrolytes and warm fluids into her is critical to head off shock.

 

[azygous]

Is she rattling and gurgling when she breathes? If so, it could be she took in some water when she was in the pond. If the water is in her lungs, it will make her recovery more precarious.

 

[Chickenfriend44]

Keep re-warming the towel in the dryer and keep up the warm hair dryer until she perks up enough to drink. Getting the electrolytes and warm fluids into her is critical to head off shock.

She’s look a little better! Baby steps I guess.

 

[azygous]

Getting warm fluids with electrolytes into her is crucial for bringing her back out of shock, which is what could be causing her leg weakness. Do you have a helper? It would be easier if someone could hold her, still wrapped in a warm towel, and you insert a narrow

oral syringe directly into her esophagus and slowly squirt the warm fluids into her crop.

Look at the photo of the chicken's throat. The glotis is in the center where the tongue emerges. See how the syringe is inserted into the esophagus just to the left of the glotis? That leads directly into her crop. By inserting the syringe there, none of the fluid will accidentally get into her airway.

Shock can kill even though you've warmed her. Her glucose needs elevating with the sugar and the electrolytes will further stabilize her heart and circulation.

 

[Chickenfriend44]

Did you get the syringe down the wrong hole? Is she coughing and rattling and still breathing? She'll be okay.

Do you happen to have a needle syringe? You can boil the sugar water and cool it to body temp and give her the liquid just under her skin on her breast area. Be sure to cleanse the skin with alcohol first as they do at the doctor's office.

Try to get four ounces into her one way or the other.

I don’t have a needle syringe, but we got at least four ounces into her.

 

[azygous]

Open mouth breathing is a sign of stress, and now the patient needs to rest in a warm, secure place. In front of your wood stove or under a heat lamp or place her on a heating pad on the lowest setting.