Please help Smudgie!!! Calling all experts!!!

[leadwolf1]

Way to go!!!!! I am thrilled that Smudgie is on the mend...give her and your daughter a hug for me

I think, that I would monitor what she is eating..checking her crop. If it seems as if she is eating enough, I would skip that tube feeding. The great thing about chickens is their crop is right out there for us to be able to monitor. I think you will be able to stop feeding her when her crop stays nice and full throughout the day

I am so excited and happy for you!!!!

 

[theoldchick]

Decrease the tube feeding slowly as she continues to feed herself. The more she eats on her own the less you tube feed her. Congratulations on a job well done!

 

[Cats Cradle]

Smudgie is doing great!

I have successfully weaned her off of the tube feeding. She had only 1 tube feeding yesterday morning and none today! Even though she had been picking at the feed she really didn't consume enough at first, which had me concerned about decreasing the tube feeding. But, I had been feeding the leftover "hand feeding formula" to some other chicks her age as a treat. (You have to mix fresh each time.) Those chicks thought it was candy! So I put two of them with Smudgie and she quickly caught on to the idea! Once she got the idea I started moistening chick starter, so now that's what they mostly eat. The dry is available to them all the time, but these chicks are getting spoiled so they wait for the moistened!

To make sure she is getting enough I weigh her frequently. She is gaining steadily now.

It is hard to believe that just one week ago today Smudgie was so weak I was worried that she wouldn't make it through the day. She was so sleepy she would only stay awake a second or two when you picked her up. And her breathing was heavy and labored. Today she is so active that I have to keep a screen over her "brooder" (really a laundry tub) to keep her from flying up and perching on the side.

The best part is my daughter still has her favorite chicken to love on! Now if I can just convince her that Smudgie is not going to be a house chicken forever!!!

 

[dawg53]

It's great to hear good news in this forum for a change! WTG!

 

[leadwolf1]

Way to go!!!!!! I'm so glad that your daughter will be able to watch Smudgie grow up! You did a great job