Severely Dehydrated Chicken!!! OMG

[chickenwings]

One of our chickens went missing on Tuesday, I just kinda figured a hawk got her (our hens are free range country birds) Anyway, a box apperantly fell on her in the shed & my daughter just found her this morning. I honestly can't believe she is still alive! She has been without food/water for nearly FIVE days!!! Thankfully our weather has been cool this week. I have her isolated from the other girls, she is very weak, has lost probably about 30% bodyweight and has a yucky looking eye now. She is drinking heartily, so that is good. I really can't afford the vet right now as much as I know she should go, anyway, I would like to try and save her & would greatly appreciate any advice.

What I have done so far-
Isolated her from the flock
Gave her water (she is drinking heartily)
Gave her a banana (I saw a dehydrated/undernourished guy get rescued on tv & they gave him a banana...lol) - my daughter just reported that she ate the 1/4 banana.

 

[nakstk]

Just keep doing what doing maybe add some electrolytes to the water if you have any. Good Luck!

 

[chickenwings]

Thank you! I will get her some Gatorade today.

 

[Reurra]

Careful, dont let her drink too much, too fast, it could do her harm.

 

[mstricer]

If you have a TSC in your area get some save a chick.

 

[chickenwings]

Uh oh, I think it's too late for the too much/too fast. What do I do now?!
We have Del's here & a mom & pop feed store. Pretty sure Del's is open today, I will check there for the save a chick. ( she is 11 months & was laying, if that makes any difference)

 

[Reurra]

Dont feed her too much, I know people in this condition cant take too much water or food or it might make a shock to thier system. Dont feed her anything that might swell up in her tummy. I would leve her for about 30 minutes and see how she does, give her small sips here and there but dont leave her alone with any food or water.

 

[leadwolf1]

You could probably find poly vi sol vitamins and pedialyte unflavored at those places. They will provide vitamins and electrolytes. Make sure the poly vi sol doens't have iron in it. It is very good advice not to overload her system too quickly. I would give her a small bit of food every several hours today and not much water/electrolyte solution at a time. Poor girl, I hope she makes it!

 

[chickenwings]

It's been about 30-40 mins since she was really guzzling the water. I feel really bad now, I hope I didn't just make everything worse than it already is. She is very alert but is very weak, wobbly when she walks. I think the extra water weight is making moving harder.

 

[chickenwings]

I can tell she is super content to be sitting in the grass with a breeze on her. If she doesn't make it, at least she didn't die under the box. Her friends are all hanging out on the other side of the fence by her. So sweet.