One chicken with crooked neck, and another sickly looking???Maybe food issue.....HELP please :)

[lovinchicks]

I did seperate them right away so they would not get trampled on. They are still in the barn though. When they jump the wall, they don't go more than 5 feet out the door, lol. They are still scardy cats, and don't like to leave the other chickens. The only thing that they could have ate weird is, we had a bag of sandblasting stuff sitting outside of the barn. when hubby picked it up the bottom spilled out and we had a pile of sandblasting powder. He scooped up what he could, and spread the rest around with the blower. They would have really had to search to find any pieces, and I'm not sure if it would hurt them or not. Great idea about the baby bird formula. I'm going to have my husband pick some up. I have tube feed before, whether I did it right, I don't know. I just bypassed the airway, went down a bit and put the food in. Is that right. I hate just putting things in their mouth, it's too easy for them to choke. Even putting in the vitamins, I'm like, common swallow!! Any idea on how much I should tube feed a small bird? They probably only weigh around 3 pounds I'd guess. Also what would be bad to look for in their poo, besides blood? I saw the one that is looking better poo today and it was a little white, little liquidy, and a darker hardish part.

The only other thing I could think of is that the other day they were sitting on top of the gate to the roosters, which is right next to them. If they got in there and the roosters attacked (they are way bigger) and maybe they got some internal injuries. They had no outward signs of that happening, so I doubt that happened? I just keep trying to think, what am I missing?

On a side note Wynette. Do you like your Isbars? I've been thinking I want some, but I'm not sure.

 

[Wynette]

I can't think that the cock birds chased them, as I think you'd probably know that, but of course, it could have happened (?) On the sandblasting material - unless you knew for sure or there was a high certainty that they ate a lot of it, I wouldn't think that would cause harm if they ate just a bit, but what is it made of? I know some is made of rice hulls, ground up, other material can be other thigns...there may be chemicals in it to make it not stick together, that would more be my concern, but from your description, it really doens't sound like they could have ingested much, if any.

You want to first off, make sure the tube is clean/sanitized (do you have any Oxine or Virkon(s)?). When you put it in, as the bird is facing you, put it down their throat as far to the left as possible. You can feel it in the crop when you have it placed correctly. I would not go more than 10cc at a time - you'll have to really take a close look at your birds & make a decision on that - less is better than moe of course, because too much can overflow the crop & would then be aspirated, which is pretty instantaneous death. If they are healthy otherwise, you'll only need to do this a few times a day for a few days - until you see them eating on their own.

I really like the Isbars! They are beautiful birds, very regal looking and seem to be intelligent...for chickens! (Shoot me a PM if you're interested in hatching eggs.) On the smaller side for a large fowl bird, but by no means a bantam. Very, very pretty birds. Here's a recent pic:

 

[lovinchicks]

well, I went back down to check on them twice. The first time I went down, the twisted neck ones neck was still straight from when I straightened it this morning. But it was just letting it's neck kinda hang there. The other was up a walking around with it's head up. The second time I went down I was amazed, I could no longer tell the sickly one from the twisted neck one! One was eating, and the other was grooming itself. I couldn't believe it! I had to catch them to give them another dose of Poly Vi Sol, and the one was not so easy to catch any more. There are not 100%, but something is working. Either the Vitamins, or something working through their systems. What do you guys think? They had only had 2 doses of Poly, and 2 doses of Vitamin E at that point. I really can't believe they are doing so well. I've had chickens that weren't doing so good that had that droopy, I can't eat, I want to die look, like they did. And they have always died despite my best efforts. I just can't believe these two acturally are bouncing back!!

 

[leadwolf1]

I find that if they are going to get better, the vitamins work wonders! I would keep up the dosing for at least a week, just to be sure.

 

[lovinchicks]

tonight they are totally back to normal. I'll keep up on the dosing.

 

[leadwolf1]

Well, that is wonderful news

 

[Wynette]

Oh, awesome!! SO glad to hear it! Please continue to keep us posted!!