Sick Chick

[SadesBlack]

I'm sorry, i forgot to mention she can eat and drink but not well on her own. She is losing weight. I am giving the medication with a syringe guided down the throat as I've seen on this site.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is she able to swallow water and food if held up to her beak? If her tongue is in place there probably isn’t a hair or string around it, but if you ever see the tongue being pulled down the throat, the hair can sometimes be snipped with small scissors.

 

[SadesBlack]

She is having no trouble when I hold the nipple waterer up and help dribble it in her beak while she is standing upright. If she leans down right after though, it pours right back out. She does have more troublewith food but she is obviously hungry and tries all day. I just checked her and, again, her tongue is not visible. I gently felt her throat to try to massage it up if I felt it but it's hard to tell precisely where things are with all the new feathers still growing and coming in. I'm not willing to try firmer handling when I can't tell anything for sure. She's so patient and easy to handle, so trusting, it makes me feel worse that I can't help her more. I really appreciate the help. I'm going to do some searching for swallowed tongue while I await your expertise for anything else I can do. Thank you!

 

[SadesBlack]

Update: I looked as best I could all around her tongue last night. It's pale still but for the life of me I don't see a hair or an indent where one might be. I'm giving them soaked feed (Harvest Blend) and chopped various weed, herb and a little grass greens mix I gather myself. They forage a lot too. Inky seemed to have an easier time of eating this morning but did have to stop after a few minutes to swallow a lot. After, I helped her drink, same as I mentioned above. She is slower still but roaming some with the other 2 month old HenHen. And taking several rest breaks. I really want to figure this out. I'm seeing more and more strange illnesses pop up everywhere for humans and can't help but think it's the same for animals too. Thank you!

 

[alinas2010]

Is there a pocket or indent her tongue is falling into in her bottom beak or back further in her throat/mouth area?

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you obtain any antibiotics such as Tylosin or TiaGard to treat for a respiratory infection? She may have a lot of sinus drainage that is causing her problems. Tube feeding which can take just a few minutes 2-3 times a day might be something you would want to learn. But the tongue issue is worrisome. Let us know how she is doing. Here is free shipping on Tylosin, and dosage is 1 tsp per gallon of water for 5 days:
https://thecanaryfinchstore.com/product/tylosin-powder-for-birds/

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is some info on tube feeding:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-guide-pictures-under-construction.1064392/