Need to Tube Severely Molting Hen

[micstrachan]

I’m a tube feeder now! I’m so proud of myself! (dorky, I know) Now I can take even better care of my birds. I just easily got 40mL of warmed generic pedialyte into her. Phew!!!

 

[micstrachan]

Hi, friends. So I am feeling MUCH better that I can get Ester through this. Phew! I do have a few questions:

• How many times a day (if I do 40mL doses) do I need to tube fluids until she starts drinking on her own again?
• I'll probably have to tube feed, as well. Her poop is green bits in liquid. I've been using an 18Fr tube for liquid. What size should I use for feed? I bought a bunch of different sizes.
• What are the rules about when to tube feed relative to fluids?
• How much feed does she need?

Thanks again for ALL your help!

Michelle

 

[micstrachan]

I got a bit of baby bird formula into Ester with a 24Fr tube. She started resisting part way through, so I removed the tube and stopped. It was somewhere between 15-20mL, which is a start.

 

[casportpony]

How many times a day (if I do 40mL doses) do I need to tube fluids until she starts drinking on her own again?

She needs a minimum of 5% of her body weight per day, 10% would be even better.

Is she pooping normally? Have you seen a cecal poop yet?

 

[micstrachan]

She needs a minimum of 5% of her body weight per day, 10% would be even better.

Is she pooping normally? Have you seen a cecal poop yet?

No cecal poop. Poop is watery and green like a starving bird.

 

[micstrachan]

I just brought Bridge by to make sure Ester knew she isn’t permanently removed from the flock. I think I’ll do more fluid soon and then feed. How long do I have to wait in between?

 

[azygous]

Feel her crop. That's what I go by. A golf ball size amount is adequate. Wait until that goes down a bit, then put more into her.

 

[micstrachan]

Well, the pedialyte I had warmed started to spill out the end of the tube before I was even ready, so she only got 25mL. I’ll watch her crop (which is easy to see, since she’s naked) and feed her in a bit. I’d like to see her comb standing back up; I think it’s flopping due to dehydration. At least she’s standing again, vs. sitting on her hocks. She still moves quite strangely. I can’t tell if it’s neurological due to a deficiency or if it’s from the extreme discomfort of the molt.

 

[micstrachan]

Hi everyone. Ester's longest wing feathers are just starting to stick out in weird directions, so I think they're coming out, too. There is a tiny bit of feathering on her back, but it is hiding a full set of pin feathers, just like everywhere else. Only her neck and head are feathered at this point. And one little cuff of feathers where her "drumstick" meets her foot.

The good news is, we've gotten really good at tubing. She is an excellent little patient, and I'm so proud of her! I just open her crate, gently put my hands behind her to coax her toward me, and then she steps out of the crate and stands in front of me. She allows me to drape the towel over her and gently wrap it around her. I put her onto my criss-cross-apple-sauce lap as quickly as possible, speak to her soothingly, and then do the tubing as efficiently as possible. Then she gets a live meal worm reward. Today she has been tubed fluids four times and feed twice. She pooped after her last bit of fluid, and while it was still watery, it was less kelly green and had a little more substance to it. I shudder to think what would have happened if I hadn't gotten past my fear of tubing today.

Here is the cutest part. Ester likes to sit on my legs for a few minutes right after the tubing. She sort of stands there in a trance and I allow her to stay as long as she likes. Keep in mind, this is my most nervous hen who does NOT like to be handled and does NOT normally lap sit. Clearly she understands I am helping her. I hope we will be friends after all of this!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Hi everyone. Ester's longest wing feathers are just starting to stick out in weird directions, so I think they're coming out, too. There is a tiny bit of feathering on her back, but it is hiding a full set of pin feathers, just like everywhere else. Only her neck and head are feathered at this point. And one little cuff of feathers where her "drumstick" meets her foot.

The good news is, we've gotten really good at tubing. She is an excellent little patient, and I'm so proud of her! I just open her crate, gently put my hands behind her to coax her toward me, and then she steps out of the crate and stands in front of me. She allows me to drape the towel over her and gently wrap it around her. I put her onto my criss-cross-apple-sauce lap as quickly as possible, speak to her soothingly, and then do the tubing as efficiently as possible. Then she gets a live meal worm reward. Today she has been tubed fluids four times and feed twice. She pooped after her last bit of fluid, and while it was still watery, it was less kelly green and had a little more substance to it. I shudder to think what would have happened if I hadn't gotten past my fear of tubing today.

Here is the cutest part. Ester likes to sit on my legs for a few minutes right after the tubing. She sort of stands there in a trance and I allow her to stay as long as she likes. Keep in mind, this is my most nervous hen who does NOT like to be handled and does NOT normally lap sit. Clearly she understands I am helping her. I hope we will be friends after all of this!

So glad she's improving. With bonus cuddles to boot!