Need to Tube Severely Molting Hen

[RoyalChick]

I didn't mean all wild molting birds. Just the ones that have a hard time. They don't get heat lamps to keep from freezing out there.

I would imagine since they aren't caged, that they do actively search out extra protein though. That of course doesn't mean it's easy to find.

Oh I wasn't being critical of your post, I was sort of shaking my head at how messed up severe molting is. I also feel that they should molt when it is hot - but mine seem to be molting just as we plunge below freezing point.

 

[Painted Calls]

Oh I wasn't being critical of your post, I was sort of shaking my head at how messed up severe molting is. I also feel that they should molt when it is hot - but mine seem to be molting just as we plunge below freezing point.

Oh I know! I just re-read my own post and realized I didn't phrase it well.

 

[micstrachan]

Oh thank goodness more formula arrived. I had a heck of a time this morning blending soaked crumble and getting it through a tube. I ended up putting it through a mesh, which I think took out a bunch of nutrition and made it very thin. At least she was hydrated! Anyway, I got the notification that the formula had been delivered and ran up the hill for a good feeding. Ester’s excited greeting when I walked in the door melted my heart! ❤ She had also eaten a whole scrambled egg, but hadn’t touched wet, dry nor fermented feed. She is still not drinking, as far as I can tell.

I’d like to let Ester have some outside time this weekend. Maybe she’ll drink a bit on her own in her regular environment. I thought I’d wait until sun is on the yard, open the door, and see if she chooses to go out. Thoughts? I expect it to be in the high 50’s °F.

 

[RoyalChick]

Oh thank goodness more formula arrived. I had a heck of a time this morning blending soaked crumble and getting it through a tube. I ended up putting it through a mesh, which I think took out a bunch of nutrition and made it very thin. At least she was hydrated! Anyway, I got the notification that the formula had been delivered and ran up the hill for a good feeding. Ester’s excited greeting when I walked in the door melted my heart! ❤ She had also eaten a whole scrambled egg, but hadn’t touched wet, dry nor fermented feed. She is still not drinking, as far as I can tell.

I’d like to let Ester have some outside time this weekend. Maybe she’ll drink a bit on her own in her regular environment. I thought I’d wait until sun is on the yard, open the door, and see if she chooses to go out. Thoughts? I expect it to be in the high 50’s °F.

Sounds like a good plan - I think even a naked grown chicken would be OK in the 50s for a short period of time. But she will probably get tired using all her energy keeping herself warm so probably ration her time out.

 

[Painted Calls]

I agree. Let her choose, but limit her outside time until she's well.

Yay for formula! Those crumbles are HARD TO MASH. I have tried straining it too. Painstaking.

 

[Kiki]

There was a real poop in Ester’s crate this morning!
View attachment 2473797

Here’s our little patient. Don’t mind the nasty-looking window. That foggy stuff is growing BETWEEN the panes and we are renters, so it stays. Anyway, look at this poor little pin cushion right after I fed her:

And here is a clip of the feeding itself:

Fantastic Michelle!

 

[micstrachan]

I don’t know what was going on with the formula, but I was a bit spaztic with the first after work feeding. First try, the plunger was completely stuck. Second try, it stuck part way through, even with a new syringe, so she only got ~35mL. That’s ok; I’ll do it again and a scrambled egg is cooling for her. Despite MY failures, I wanted you to see what a good girl Ester is. If you don’t want to watch them all, watch the second video. Such a good girl!

 

[micstrachan]

Fantastic Michelle!

Thanks, Kiki!

 

[micstrachan]

Poor Ester. My family is up banging, chatting loudly, slamming cabinet doors and turning on lights. It’s 11:00pm. Go to bed already. This poor girl is grossly underslept. I love my family, but poor Ester really needs a decent night’s sleep. I don’t think that can happen until I get her back outside.

 

[RoyalChick]

She looks a bit more sprightly to me. Is she eating on her own a bit now?