Need to Tube Severely Molting Hen

[micstrachan]

Great to hear! Goodness she's adorable. ❤

Awww, thanks! I think so, too. It’s amazing how they can surprise us and draw us in. Normally Ester is not easily handled. I regularly handled her just in case something like this ever came up. I try to handle all of them, but she’s been my biggest challenge with that. I’m very glad I have persisted, because it would be difficult for both of us if she feared me.

 

[micstrachan]

I think Ester was fed at 8:00, 10:00, 1:00, 3:00 and 5:00 (ish). I didn’t get a full 60mL in each time, but I’ll get her at least one more time before I got to bed. She’s thinking about sampling damp feed (grower crumble), but hasn’t actually had it. She’s doing more chicken things like vocalizing tidbitty sounds when she scratches in her crate. Today she really enjoyed the heat lamp and “sunned” herself under it sprawled out.
I brought by two friends at separate times for short visits. First was Dorothy, who Ester grew up with. Ester was very alert with Dorothy around. Next was Bridge (short for Bridgette) my alpha hen, who came by for a very short visit. It was too close to bedtime, so Bridge wanted out, but it was neat to observe Ester being much more relaxed around Bridge than Dorothy. She even sprawled out under the lamp.

Here is Dorothy’s visit.

 

[Painted Calls]

I think Ester was fed at 8:00, 10:00, 1:00, 3:00 and 5:00 (ish). I didn’t get a full 60mL in each time, but I’ll get her at least one more time before I got to bed. She’s thinking about sampling damp feed (grower crumble), but hasn’t actually had it. She’s doing more chicken things like vocalizing tidbitty sounds when she scratches in her crate. Today she really enjoyed the heat lamp and “sunned” herself under it sprawled out.
I brought by two friends at separate times for short visits. First was Dorothy, who Ester grew up with. Ester was very alert with Dorothy around. Next was Bridge (short for Bridgette) my alpha hen, who came by for a very short visit. It was too close to bedtime, so Bridge wanted out, but it was neat to observe Ester being much more relaxed around Bridge than Ester. She even sprawled out under the lamp.

Here is Dorothy’s visit.

Awesome feedings! I'll bet she gains a bit from that. Post her weight in the morning.

So sweet! All very encouraging to hear.

Have you tried a bit of scrambled egg? Just to see if she'll eat on her own.

 

[micstrachan]

Awesome feedings! I'll bet she gains a bit from that. Post her weight in the morning.

So sweet! All very encouraging to hear.

Have you tried a bit of scrambled egg? Just to see if she'll eat on her own.

Yes, she was eating that, but then stopped (which was one of the many things that made me start tubing). It might be time to try again.

 

[Painted Calls]

I would offer her some every day. If she doesn't eat them, I'm sure her sisters would be more than happy to scarf them down. I used to sneak some formula in with the scrambled eggs to aid in caloritic intake as well.

 

[micstrachan]

I would offer her some every day. If she doesn't eat them, I'm sure her sisters would be more than happy to scarf them down. I used to sneak some formula in with the scrambled eggs to aid in caloritic intake as well.

Good call. She ate a little scrambled egg. Little sweetie would only eat it off my hand, not the plate, and only ate about 1/3 of an egg, but at least she ate. She’s also eating her meal worm reward and a couple blueberries. I like that the blueberries might remind her what it’s like to have something wet in her mouth. She also received a full 65-70mL of formula before bed.

 

[Painted Calls]

 

[micstrachan]

Ester weighed in at 2125 grams this morning. She just got a fully maxed out syringe (65+ mL) for today’s first feeding. I’ll shoot for every 2 hours or so today, and will offer regular feed, her favorite treats, etc. throughout the day. Since she’s in the kitchen, she’s probably not getting enough sleep. I’d like to keep it calm around here, if possible. Tomorrow I’m back in the office AND have a board meeting that could go late. If she can start eating something today, that would help tremendously.

 

[casportpony]

I’ll shoot for every 2 hours or so today,

No need to do every 2 hours unless her crop is empty or almost empty.

 

[micstrachan]

Ok, great! She’s doing great, but still needs lots of heat. Hurry up, feathers!