Plannin tube feed today need some info

[the3ofus+oursixchicks]

I am planning to tube feed today. My hen has been sick for a long while. the vet said vit E defecency so she is taking that and its helped her with her walking some. She will not hardly eat anything so this is my last option. If I don't do it she is going to die. I have posted on here about her before but I don't want to go through all of it again my question is how much do you feed them> do you use the layer pellets and make a mash\? what do you use? how long do you tube feed?

 

[Eggcessive]

I think most people use a baby bird food called KayTee, but you should find everything you need in this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/805728/go-team-tube-feeding

 

[the3ofus+oursixchicks]

she is 11 months old

 

[the3ofus+oursixchicks]

I am SOOOOOOOOO scared to do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[casportpony]

I am planning to tube feed today. My hen has been sick for a long while. the vet said vit E defecency so she is taking that and its helped her with her walking some. She will not hardly eat anything so this is my last option. If I don't do it she is going to die. I have posted on here about her before but I don't want to go through all of it again my question is how much do you feed them> do you use the layer pellets and make a mash\? what do you use? how long do you tube feed?

How much does she weigh? Can't tell you how much to feed unless I know that. For feeding you'll need:

• Kaytee Baby Bird Food, crumbles won't work.
• 35 or 60 ml syringe
• Size 18 french catheter tube
• You tube several times a day until they eat and drink on their own.

Some people have used aquarium air line to tube, but one person managed to puncture their birds esophagus because they forgot to melt the end of it, so I cannot recommend that. Whatever you use as a tube, it should be smooth enough that you could safely stick it in your nose without getting a nose bleed. Make sense?

Please don't be cheap and try to cut corners, just go get the proper stuff. A vet will have the tube you need and should be willing to sell it to you.

Hydration must be corrected before attempting to feed, so again, need her weight to tell you how much fluid to give.



When I am going to give less than 60cc's, I use a 35cc catheter tip syringe like this one.




Watch these videos!

These are using a crop needle, not a plastic tube.




This one uses a tube like I use​

French
Gauge Diameter
(mm) Diameter
(inches)
3 1 0.039
4 1.33 0.053
5 1.67 0.066
6 2 0.079
7 2.3 0.092
8 2.7 0.105
9 3 0.118
10 3.3 0.131
11 3.7 0.144
12 4 0.158
13 4.3 0.170
14 4.7 0.184
15 5 0.197
16 5.3 0.210
17 5.7 0.223
18 6 0.236
19 6.3 0.249
20 6.7 0.263
22 7.3 0.288
24 8 0.315
26 8.7 0.341
28 9.3 0.367
30 10 0.393
32 10.7 0.419
34 11.3 0.445​

-Kathy

 

[the3ofus+oursixchicks]

she weighed at the vet about 2 weeks ago and she was 4.5 lbs she is probably less than that now. I have the feeding tube but I got a turkey baster...for the food can I use that? it fits on the tube.

 

[casportpony]

she weighed at the vet about 2 weeks ago and she was 4.5 lbs she is probably less than that now. I have the feeding tube but I got a turkey baster...for the food can I use that? it fits on the tube.

Do you have the baby bird food?

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Tractor Supply, Petsmart and Petco are still open in Alabama, please go buy a syringe, baby bird food and while you're out, buy a kitchen scale from Walmart or Target.

-Kathy

 

[porter29]

My duck swallowed a nut and I can feel it thru his skin

 

[casportpony]

My duck swallowed a nut and I can feel it thru his skin

Try to gently massage it back up and out.

-Kathy