Your sweet little hen just had herself a wonderful day!
Would you please enlighten me on the benefits of epsom salt? I've come across several posts in the forums about it and would love to know what it does and what the various scenarios are where it can safely be used.
I have always used Epsom Salt around the house: hot soaks, plant fertilizer, hair rinse, and things like that.
But, I was surprised to see it mentioned in the book, "Chicken Encyclopedia", by Gail Damerow. Epsom Salt is recommended as a treatment for cleansing the system of poison or intestinal disease. Besides using herbs, my mother also used Epsom Salt for many things. So, I decided to look into using it for my chickens. I found there simply isn't enough scientific study on it's use.
So it's partly validated by science and also one of those folk remedies. You'll have to decide if it works or not. It is actually Magnesium Sulfate, and is believed to be antibacterial and antifungal. Many chicken keepers recommend soaking a hen that is egg bound or having hormonal issues, in a bath of Epsom Salt. The magnesium is absorbed through the skin and helps the hen metabolize calcium, which is important to their reproductive system.
I used it when one of my hens was trying to expel a soft shelled egg, 30 minutes after the Epsom Salt soak, she expelled the egg. I have also used it to soak my rooster's vent area when he was suffering from Vent Gleet. Relief seemed to be immediate as he fell asleep during this soak. His red inflamed skin was lighter the next day! I also sprayed his vent area with some olive oil non-stick spray to protect the skin.
You know about my little Riki's sore legs, she fell asleep after too! If nothing else, it appears to be a relaxing experience for the chicken. LOL!
But, my most impressive experience with Epsom Salt was this Summer. My Black Star hen began to swell around her vent area and up to her keel bone. Within days she struggled to walk. I read horror stories about similar symptoms in other hens. Hens were having their abdomens drained with syringes, then dying. Others, ruptured their abdomens with the entrails dragging on the ground! My heart sank, what could I do for her that didn't involve needles? I prayed on it, and I awoke in the middle of the night with a plan.
Detoxification is another unsubstantiated claim of Epsom Salt. But, it is what I believe saved my Filamena's life. Her swelling was caused by ascites build up, which is the body's way of trying to rid itself of toxins. From what? I do not know. Her treatment plan included a soak in Epsom Salt, 3 times a week, for 10 minutes each time. No jumping up or off the perch, to prevent rupture. Internal detox and liver support with Aloe Vera 80 Detox formula, in water and moistened feed. I used "The Rub" Arnica cream alternately with "Preparation H" and Baby Diaper ointment on her swollen abdomen each day, morning and evening.
After six weeks, I took her to my vet, I was feeling low. She wasn't getting better. But she was eating and drinking and trying to follow her flock. I was ready to euthanize, but the vet said, no. He recommended I take her home and let her live out her chicken days that God had set for her. There was nothing to be done for her. So, I brought her home and I decided to continue her treatment plan. It was tiring, but it was the least I could do for my beloved Filamena. Then, a week and a half later I noticed her walking normally! I picked her up and examined her. Her swelling had reduced about 50%. Three days later, all swelling was gone! She was eating like crazy and running and flapping her wings with joy!
Well, that just goes to show what we think we know!
And now you have some more stuff to think about...LOL!!!
