Need to Tube Severely Molting Hen

[micstrachan]

I've found that all my BR have a difficult time during molt. I also had a rooster this year that just seemed miserable.

Tubing is fine to do, but I'll give you my 2¢ anyway. I leave my birds with the flock.
For molters I make a mash - all flock or flock raiser feed + water and buttermilk. I also dissolve a vitamin E gel cap(s) and B-Complex and mix that into the mash. How many E caps and how much B-Complex depends on how many birds are eating. I usually make enough for all birds to have access to the mash.
My molters do not eat well. The BR especially, but they seem to scarf down the mash. My rooster hoarded his food bowl and wouldn't even let his hen have much mash LOL

Plain water.

I left her with the flock until she was wobbling and squat walking sideways. She stopped eating mash and won’t drink. She’s gotten weak, which is why I brought her in.

Buttermilk! I have some, but it’s way past date. Smells fine.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I left her with the flock until she was wobbling and squat walking sideways. She stopped eating mash and won’t drink. She’s gotten weak, which is why I brought her in.

Buttermilk! I have some, but it’s way past date. Smells fine.

Yeah, they don't eat well so that can cause some issues at times. When I see them beginning to molt, then I just go ahead and get ready to pamper a bit.

 

[casportpony]

Yes. There is a heat lamp over her. She’s eating scrambled egg. Does that count at all for fluid? LOL.

No, sorry.

 

[casportpony]

 

[micstrachan]

Yeah, they don't eat well so that can cause some issues at times. When I see them beginning to molt, then I just go ahead and get ready to pamper a bit.

Same here since Millie almost starved herself to death last year. But in five years of keeping chickens, this is by far the worst molt I’ve seen. And in winter!

 

[micstrachan]

I DID IT!!!

I only got ~15mL in because I was shaking so badly and when I heard some liquid noise, took the tube out. I will do a full 40mL in an hour. My eyes are horrible and I had trouble seeing the back of her throat, but I slid it down her right side. I’d like to mark the tube for next time. How many inches should I expect to put down her?

 

[casportpony]

I DID IT!!!

I only got ~15mL in because I was shaking so badly and when I heard some liquid noise, took the tube out. I will do a full 40mL in an hour. My eyes are horrible and I had trouble seeing the back of her throat, but I slid it down her right side. I’d like to mark the tube for next time. How many inches should I expect to put down her?

Congrats!

I just grabbed a hen about the size of your hen (1900 grams), interested a tube, and it went in about 8 inches.

 

[micstrachan]

Also, is this electrolyte solution good for the next one?

 

[azygous]

Find the lower part of her crop from the outside, then hold up the bottom of the tube against her crop and make the mark on the tub where her throat is. Then when you insert the tube, don't push it farther down that the mark.

 

[micstrachan]

And you guys are right... very easy. Phew! I just wish my eyes were better.