Need Help PLEASE!!!

[my1smthop]

In mid March one of my buffs was attacked by a opposum. I saved her but she got sick really fast. It's been 3 weeks now and she has not drank or eaten anything. I truly can't believe she is still alive. She will not let me help her. She can barely lift herself up now and her eyes are crusted over. I don't know if she is still alive or not. She was when I checked her last night. She is pooping clear diarrhea. I wish I could save her, but I don' t know how. I keep putting soft food and sugar water in the igloo, and I tap on the water so she can hear it since she won't let me help her wipe the crust off of her eyes.

Week end before last she came out but the rooster jumped her and she was just too weak to take it. She laid down and one leg went to the side. I got him off of her and help her up. She wobbled back and forth and walked on, but her got her again. I took her in, wrapped her in a towel and tried to force some pedialyte down her and some liquid vitamins, but she kept jumping out of my arms and would just cur-thunk on the floor. I was afraid she would hurt herself so I put her back in the igloo with vitamin water. I added some tetramycin but I just don't think shes going to make it. It seems like an awfully long time to survive with out food or water, but she was quite fat. It's like she's a fighter. I'd like to help her if I could. I don't want to lose her.

 

[horsejody]

I would bring her in the house in a small cage and keep her warm. I would assume that she must have drank and eaten a little bit, or she would be dead. Perhaps she did it when you weren't looking. I would also dribble a few drops of polyvisol (without iron) vitamins in her beak every day. Try giving her hard boiled egg yolks too. Have you considered taking her to a vet? I know many vets won't see a chicken, but you never know until you ask.

 

[thebritt]

Quote:
I would definately bring her inside and put a heating pad on low under 1/2 her carrier or whatever you put her in. she must drink, as you know. you'll be able to drip the electrolyte/vitamin water on her beak and she'll drink. I'm sorry - doesn't sound good since it's been so long. I always bring sick or injured birds into the house. Warmth is very important, as they use a lot of energy to stay warm. Good luck.

 

[AHappychick]

you are going to have to either force feed her or cull her I think because starving to death is a horrible way to go. there are some threads on how to force feed using a tube and needless syringe. good luck I have a sicky myself and know how hard it is.

 

[my1smthop]

Thanks to all of you for your replies. Unfortunately Ethel passed away last night.

I had called several vets in my area but no one would see a chicken. I did initally have her in the house for the first few days after her attack, but she really wanted out so I put her out and she mixed back in with the other hens for a couple of days. I thought she was getting better but then she just started staying in the igloo all the time. I always made sure she had vitamin/sugar water and soft food but she just quit eating and would jump out of my arms when I would try to get her to bring her back in. I didn't want to stress her out so I let her stay where she was comfy. Her sister snuggled every night with her and she seemed to enjoy that. I hated to lose her, she was a sweet girl.

Last night I got home and my astrolorp was gone. No feathers, nothing. I walked the perimeter of my farm and NOTHING! I did it again this morning and no sign of struggle or being taken off at all. I don't know what happened to her. Could this have been a fox??? I would think there would've been feathers at least. She was a pretty big girl. She probably weighed 8-10 lbs.

 

[horsejody]

Sorry for your loss