Rescued 3 Bantam hens, bad shape, need advise

[EpicBlueAcres]

I just got 3 bantams hens (born july 2012) from a craigslist ad. They told me they were thin as their other regular size chickens were beating them up. When I saw them they were rough looking, filthy dirty,shaking, bloody and torn combs, comb wattles and face were not pink or red but ghost white. Once I got them home and handle them more I realized just how thin, the bone between the brests sticked out 1/2 inch at least, they seem to be just skin on bone, they also have really long nails (the one girls feet have actually turned funny so she can walk) or nails are missing all together. I am keeping them in the house as our average outside temp is 20 degrees here. One home I gave them sugar water and some crumbles, they ate and drank like crazy. There pouches got so full the smallest one was falling over to that side. I gave them all baths last night and sprayed them with a natural (non chemical) de mite,lice & tick spray. I have them in a drop through giant bird cage. I contacted my bird vet (one of only 2 specialists in my area) and have an appt in 4 weeks to check on progress run fecals etc ( of course sooner if someone takes a bad turn). What is the best and safest way to put weight on these girls and get them feeling great. I can already tell they are purkier that yesterday, combs are a bit pinkish now too, all very sweet.
I am new to chickens (april 2012) so any advice/expertise is much appreciated. Below are pick of the comb and boney-ness. The last 2 are after their baths, any idea on breeds of bantam. The people said they got them by mistake from an incubator hatching

 

[spikennipper]

Not sure on the breeds poss cochin but good on you for rescuing them they really are in a sorry state

I would definitely put some padding down in the cage like towels or something so they are not sitting on bare wire as their breastbones will get sore due to them sticking out so much, just feed them on lots of yummy grain, pellets and veg and they will put on weight if the weight loss is due to starvation, see what the vets results are like and perhaps worm them once they are fitter.

 

[sumi]

I get so angry when I see and hear things like this! Thank goodness for people like you who care about animals and birds and are willing to help them

. I would recommend deworming them as a precaution as well. And get some antibiotic cream on those wounds. To get them to gain weight I'd suggest feeding them high protein treats like cat food (small amounts), scrambled eggs, meat scraps, tinned tuna, etc in addition to poultry food. Best of luck with them and keep us posted!

 

[casportpony]

They look really sick to me, pale and thin, but you know that. I think you'll need to keep them inside where it's warm and get them properly hydrated and fed, which it sounds like you're doing. If any of them are not drinking/eating, you should consider tube feeding.

If they were mine, I would weigh them daily (see my avatar), de-worm them with Safeguard/Panacur (fenbendazole) 50mg/kg by mouth and repeat in 10 days (consult your vet).

When I have a thin one, I feed it 27% turkey starter, scrambled eggs, mealworms and crickets and this will usually help them but on weight.

It sounds like they're in good hands. I wish you luck!

 

[casportpony]

Here is some info on Safeguard/Panacur (fenbendazole):

From Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook - 7th Edition





From left to right:
Small = 10mg ( .1cc) = enough for a 200 gram (7 ounce) bird at 50mg/kg
Medium = 25mg (.25cc) = enough for a 500 gram (17 ounce) bird at 50mg/kg
Large = 50mg ( .5cc) = enough for a 1000 gram (35 ounce) bird at 50mg/kg
50 mg/kg is at the high end of the recommended dose for birds, but it is what my vets recommended.

 

[EpicBlueAcres]

Thakyou all so much for the info, I did put some neosporine on the combs (forgot to mention in my first post), great idea about the towels didn't think of the irritation due to thin body type, I did put a box with hay at the one end of the cage and shavings in the tray to catch "stuff".I plan on keeping them inside til spring time (and weather that babies could handle) so i know they will be ok.I have the cage in my loft so they get plenty of light and i can hear them from anywhere in the house if a problem arises. I did start a weight log last night, they are 11 oz to 1 pound 4 oz each (luckly i have one of those kitchen scales, worked great!) They are all still eating and drinking, got 2 of them to eat some meal worms but the black girl wont try them yet. I have tuna in the pantry and i have some pot roast in the fridge i could peel some peices off, (of course eggs too!) always have veggies as I make my outdoor girls a "plate" everyday. The safeguard dewormer, i have that for my horses, use the same kind for the chichens? if not i will go buy it tonight or tomorrow. The cat food is that wet or dry (i have both on hand). Also should i try to get a purch in there so they can roost or no? Thankyou for the info i was worried about feeding to much stuff other than rations and causing a nutrition imbalance problem, now i know its ok, thankyou. I will post picks as they progress.

 

[EpicBlueAcres]

Dewormer info: Perfect thankyou!

 

[SayruhK]

No info to offer but good for you for rescuing them and I hope they recover, poor babies.

 

[Owingsia]

I have worked in a parrot rescue. This is fixable especially with chickens. Feed them and keep them hydrated. They need to eat. If you can get them on grower feed with the extra protean you should be good to go. Keep them watered and I bet within the week they make a wonderful recoverey. I would keep them as warm as you can without over heating them. Water is going to be important in preventing an impacted crop. This should take about a month to be fully healthy.

 

[casportpony]

I have worked in a parrot rescue. This is fixable especially with chickens. Feed them and keep them hydrated. They need to eat. If you can get them on grower feed with the extra protean you should be good to go. Keep them watered and I bet within the week they make a wonderful recoverey. I would keep them as warm as you can without over heating them. Water is going to be important in preventing an impacted crop. This should take about a month to be fully healthy.

Warmth, water and high protein feed, I couldn't agree more!