Need to Tube Severely Molting Hen

[micstrachan]

Oh my gosh, I just had an idea!!! Sometimes in the summer, I offer frozen berries in a shallow dish of water. The flock loves it!

Well, I have also recently learned that Ester likes fresh blueberries. Soooo... I just dropped a couple into her waterer and she took some sips going after the blueberries! Yay! I have to be careful not to give too many blueberries, as I don’t want it to give her the runs, but this is progress!!!

 

[micstrachan]

My little patient was so cooperative when I greeted her this morning, I didn’t need to wrap her like a burrito. Here is her weight!

This is a gain since this journey started.

 

[Painted Calls]

My little patient was so cooperative when I cgreeted her this morning, I didn’t need to wrap her like a burrito. Here is her weight!
View attachment 2486038

This is a gain since this journey started.

 

[RoyalChick]

BTW, I love the burrito weigh method! Throwing binder clips in my bag!

Poor Ester - she is going to pig out on food just to avoid being turned into a burrito!

My little patient was so cooperative when I cgreeted her this morning, I didn’t need to wrap her like a burrito. Here is her weight!
View attachment 2486038

This is a gain since this journey started.

That is so exciting! And it looked like she was getting some more feathers - but maybe that was wishful thinking on my part!

 

[micstrachan]

Well... weight is good, but Ester is VERY combative this morning and not cooperating with tubing. I have tried a few times and got very little in her. How can I restrain her without squishing her crop? Honestly, if she is this strong and will eat sprouts, corn, blueberries, sunflower seeds and a little feed on her own, it might be time to get her back out with her flock soon. I don’t want to risk aspiration and don’t want to overly stress her out.

 

[micstrachan]

Poor Ester - she is going to pig out on food just to avoid being turned into a burrito!

That is so exciting! And it looked like she was getting some more feathers - but maybe that was wishful thinking on my part!

Yes! Feathers! She is mostly covered, but they are very short.

 

[RoyalChick]

Well... weight is good, but Ester is VERY combative this morning and not cooperating with tubing. I have tried a few times and got very little in her. How can I restrain her without squishing her crop? Honestly, if she is this strong and will eat sprouts, corn, blueberries, sunflower seeds and a little feed on her own, it might be time to get her back out with her flock soon. I don’t want to risk aspiration and don’t want to overly stress her out.

Maybe give her a break and see if that triggers her to start eating and drinking more on her own.

 

[micstrachan]

Maybe give her a break and see if that triggers her to start eating and drinking more on her own.

I might. I’d like to get this one syringe full in her this morning. I’ve been trying to do 2 before work, but would settle for 1.

 

[casportpony]

Maybe try the way I do it. How tall is your kitchen counter?

 

[micstrachan]

I got one syringe in her. Counter hits me about 3-4 inches below my belly button.