Ruby’s Toe is Broken & Possible Ascites

[micstrachan]

I forgot to mention, Ruby is still doing well with the flock, so I don’t intent to remove her anytime soon.

 

[micstrachan]

Hi everyone,
Happy Friday night! Phew! We made it! Ok, disclaimer here... I’m on my second glass of wine. Why not? It’s Friday, I’ve been working out hard for six weeks (turning 50 next year and realized... OMG, when did this happen? I better take better care of myself.)

Anyway... back to Ruby. I’m such a sap. I just love, love, love these little girls so much. Never knew this would happen! I’m sure I’d love roosters, too, but not ready to take that on (for one, we rent this cute, little place.) My heart swells for them. So when I got home, Ruby greeted me at the gate with everyone else and ran across the yard when I let them out. Her crop looks small and her back end is a mess, but her body language is GREAT. I’m so happy. I love my vet. I’m so thankful for all of you. I do realize long term prognosis is still not good, but I’m so thankful that with your help and the help of the avian vet, I have been able to help her. Not sure how long this will last, but at least for tonight, life is good.

(That’s Cashew, not Ruby, but at least you get a little taste of my paradise right now).

 

[micstrachan]

Here she is!

 

[Aunt Angus]

She does lookas though she's feeling pretty good considering. This Good Friday is not a misnomer.

 

[Kathy Golla]

Life is good...much to be thankful for.

 

[micstrachan]

Life is good...much to be thankful for.

Yep.
Ruby’s crop is pretty empty and she was first to bed. Swelling is still down. I wish I could stimulate her appetite. Seriously considering tube feeding, but maybe I’ll decide after weighing. Pretty scared about that.

 

[Kathy Golla]

Just pull her out of the pen twice a day out of sight of the others and feed her her own portion of metabolic raising food. It’s pretty easy and will keep her energy up.
That should come before you try tube feeding...you may have to experiment to see what her favorites are. Each one of my hens have a totally different palate (what they like).

 

[micstrachan]

Just pull her out of the pen twice a day out of sight of the others and feed her her own portion of metabolic raising food. It’s pretty easy and will keep her energy up.
That should come before you try tube feeding...you may have to experiment to see what her favorites are. Each one of my hens have a totally different palate (what they like).

Thanks. She’s always been picky. I’ve tried dampened feed, raw egg, cooked egg, sardines, tuna, microgreens, chopped kale, wheat berries, millet, sunflower seeds, fruit, corn kernels (canned, no salt). Sunflower seeds worked for a couple days. Millet is still good. She’s still eating SOMETHING, as she’s still pooping, but it’s watery with scant amounts of actual poop.

So here’s an interesting observation. She’s loving to drink from little puddles that she can find. She seems to prefer that over drinking out of a waterer. The only other really sick hen I’ve had before, Rusty, did the same thing. I wonder if there!’s something to that? Trying to get minerals out of the earth or something?

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Yes, it's somewhat of a compulsion that chickens have, to immediately drink from puddling water. I use this habit to help them eat, when they are ill.

• Use a shallow bowl, like a cat food bowl.
• Then, place a couple tablespoons of mash feed in it.
• Pour some water into a small cup.
• Place the food down in front of the chicken, then, slowly pour a small stream of water onto the dry food.

The chicken will start lapping up the water with feed. Sometimes they get excited and start eating the wet feed, too.

It's best to have the chicken by herself, or the rest of the flock will push her out of the way to get to the bowl. You can always treat the rest of the flock later.

When my black berries are in season, I'll blend a cup with 2-3 cups of water. Then, I use the berry water to pour over dog bowls filled with mash, as a treat. The chickens go crazy!

 

[micstrachan]

Well folks, it’s a good day. First, a disclaimer that Ruby seems to be getting skinnier. HOWEVER, yesterday I saw her take a couple bites of feed, this morning she was talking up a storm, and JUST NOW she somehow managed to steal a whole lizard from Bridgey! Bridgey has always been my reptile & amphibian eater. You may have seen my video of her gulping one down whole last summer. She also out-ranks Ruby by a fair bit, so I’m not sure how this happened. They say Buckeyes make great mousers, so maybe they are good with other small animals, too. I’m not 100% that Ruby ate it, and she doesn’t want to be handled now that her laying hormones are at bay, but I’m so happy for the Rubester!!! When it gets closer to roosting time, I’ll try to catch her and feel if there is a lizard in her crop. Thanks for letting me share, and thanks again for all your support.