Not Drinking Water - How to Give

[Dora]

I have a sick chicken who is eating O.K., but not drinking water. Please advise on best method to get water into her. Also - what quantity per session and per day (is two cups per day average chicken consumption?). Since she hasn't been drinking, should I add anything (e.g. gatorade?)

 

[girlychick]

Not sure on the whole amount thing, but maybe try getting ugh IDK what there called those tube things with the squeeze thing on top used for cooking maybe put some water in it and try to get it in her mouth? Not sure if its a bad idea I've never dealt with this before. Only heard of it. Also put her beside the water dish maybe.

 

[feathersnuggles]

Use an eyedropper and give Pedialyte, the electrolyte mixture you can purchase at the grocery store (it's for young children). Get it to drink a couple droppers at least. Dribble along the beak. That can help the bird start drinking. It's better if you use the dropper, until the bird is interested, then offer a dish of water for the bird to drink on its own.

 

[Dora]

Thanks for the tip. I have to pry her beak open to administer the Pedialyte. Every drop is a struggle, which is why I need to know how much to give her at a time, and each day. I don't want to give her too much or, worse, too little. Should I give her only Pedialyte until she gets better, or some plain water as well?

 

[MotherJean]

Make a wet mush out of medicated chick starter and Pedialyte. Not too runny, about the consistency of cream of wheat or grits. Make this in a small amount (couple of teaspoons at a time in hopes she will eat it all at one whack) and give it at least 6 times a day. If you gently pinch the top beak between your thumb and index finger, they will generally open their beak to protest. That's when you give a couple of drops of Pedialyte with the dropper. Don't squirt a bunch in at one time or you'll risk her inhaling liquid and causing pneumonia.

This is a pretty unusual circumstance. Normally, a sick bird will go off food first and water last. Any idea what's wrong?

 

[Dora]

Not sure what is wrong - "Little Buddy" is 14 months old. She's always been uncoordinated, but about three weeks ago she started getting more off-balance. I was gone for 8 days and when I came back a week ago one leg was paralyzed. I saw a large roundworm in the coop, so that is the only clue I have. She is gradually getting more weak and picky about what she eats; yesterday she would only eat blueberries and a few breadcrumbs. My other two birds seem fine.

Thanks for your interest and advice.

 

[jjthink]

Your last post (directly above) contains crucial information! Her problem goes well beyond water - she is very sick. I have to leave shortly so can't write a lot but if at all possible, get her to an avian vet right away.

She could be weak from having worms in which case she needs to be wormed immediately - folks here will tell you how and with what if you need info. Worming can weaken them further but if that's what she has that's what she needs.

For added strength, give her liquid childrens Polyvisol vitamins (withOUT added iron) - 3 drops daily dribbled with dropper gently along her beak line (you don't have to open her beak to do this - she will. From what I can tell, it tastes like crud so offer cut up blueberries or something else with nice taste afterward.

Is the one leg still paralyzed? The lack of coordination and paralysis are very concerning -

Ack! - gotta go - but please keep posting with additional detail so folks see this. As to moisture, try offering watermelon or other interesting fruit like cut up grapes, blueberries etc. If she doesn't go happy over that stuff you have a very serious emergency on your hands.

JJ

 

[Dora]

Wazine dewormer says NOT to use on sick, weak or underweight birds, so I have not attempted to use it on her. Should I try it as a last chance effort? Right now she just wants to sleep. I have posted about her before, and read other posts with similar situation (uncoordination, etc.), but no one seemed to have advice.

 

[Dora]

Little Buddy died this morning. Thanks for trying to help. Would worms have come out in her final poo if that was the problem?

 

[MotherJean]

I am so sorry to hear that