Need to Tube Severely Molting Hen

[micstrachan]

She does seem to be breathing a bit heavy. Had she just been tubed or active before that video?

Nope.

 

[micstrachan]

Last night Ester ate a little tunafish, a little scrambled egg and *I think* a little bit of crumble, but still did not drink, so I tubed fluids. This morning she has already received one meal as of 6:15am and is back asleep. I'll get her again before I leave. I did as @Overo Mare suggested... stopped plunging when she protested and kept a firm grip. I was able to do it with no mess and no fight.

 

[Painted Calls]

Last night Ester ate a little tunafish, a little scrambled egg and *I think* a little bit of crumble, but still did not drink, so I tubed fluids. This morning she has already received one meal as of 6:15am and is back asleep. I'll get her again before I leave. I did as @Overo Mare suggested... stopped plunging when she protested and kept a firm grip. I was able to do it with no mess and no fight.

Great news!

 

[micstrachan]

Great news!

Thanks! She’s still breathing heavier than I would like. I’m not sure what’s going on there, but it isn’t at all severe. She’s getting a bit more spunky, and I hope all the stress isn’t bringing something on. I’d like to try to get her back out with the flock this week, if possible. Thinking I could go up one day at lunch, but the heater blowing into the coop again, and bring her out to be with her flock.

 

[Painted Calls]

I would imagine that flock time is very important in the healing process for her. Hopefully they will encourage her to eat a bit more on her own. Do you have a rooster?

Poops still look okay?

 

[micstrachan]

I would imagine that flock time is very important in the healing process for her. Hopefully they will encourage her to eat a bit more on her own. Do you have a rooster?

Poops still look okay?

Poops were not good last night, since I didn’t feed her as much. She ate a ton of sprouts outside, and it showed. I do not have a rooster. If I set up the heater again, maybe I should try this afternoon with the flock? I won’t get home until well after roosting time.

 

[Painted Calls]

Sounds like a plan. Just make sure you're supervising when you do flock time.

Keep weighing her every morning and adjusting your feedings accordingly. Hopefully she'll get through this funk soon.

 

[micstrachan]

Well, I can’t supervise until the weekend, so I guess she’ll have to stay in. Yesterday a few flock members did not let her dustbathe, and I don’t want that to happen with food, water or heat. She’s low ranked to begin with.

 

[micstrachan]

I am a bit distressed that I am unable to take a break to run up the hill and feed Ester. She had two feedings this morning and has water (with vitamins and electrolytes... wishing I left it plain) in her crate, along with dry feed (pellets & crumble mixed) and a small amount of canned salmon. Not sure if she’ll touch anything. I’m sprouting alfalfa for her, which she enjoys. Whole Foods is right near work, so I’ll go grab a couple things, if possible. With COVID, there might be s line, in which case I’d not have enough time.

 

[Painted Calls]

Are you weighing her each morning?