Sick chicken

[NatureHouse17]

Hello! One of my chickens doesn't look well for a couple of days. She is listless, neither eating, nor walking much.
I give her some medicine based on erythromicyn + vitamins. What else can I do for her? The vet is not available for now. Taking into account that she is very weak now, would it be a good idea to give her some subcutaneos injections? I am afraid that the chicken will die if I wait a few more days until the vet can help me.

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is the chicken and has she been laying eggs? What does her crop feel like? Can you tube feed her some fluids?

 

[NatureHouse17]

She is 5 years old and she stopped laying eggs this year. She used to have a very good egg production, but I guess it's normal to reduce and stop it due to her age.
The crop seems emty, maybe tube feeding would be a good idea, like you said. I gave her some liquids by syringe, forced, of course. Should I use a special tube for the feeding process? Wouldn't be a perfusion more effective? Thank you for your time.

 

[Helloworld]

Hello! One of my chickens doesn't look well for a couple of days. She is listless, neither eating, nor walking much.
I give her some medicine based on erythromicyn + vitamins. What else can I do for her? The vet is not available for now. Taking into account that she is very weak now, would it be a good idea to give her some subcutaneos injections? I am afraid that the chicken will die if I wait a few more days until the vet can help me.

Do you notice and belly swelling?

 

[NatureHouse17]

No, the belly is normal. She is just more and more listless...

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you know how to do subcutaneous fluids? You can get fluids into her with that, but with tube feeding you can give her food, water, and vitamins/electrolytes. A temporary feeding tube can be made with a 15 inch length of aquarium air tubing (melt one end with a lighter to soften the sharp edges.) Find that in the fish/pet section of Walmart. That will connect to a large 35 ml syringe from a feed store. Here is some info on tube feeding:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-guide-pictures-under-construction.1064392/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/updated-go-team-tube-feeding.805728/

 

[NatureHouse17]

Alright, I'll get the tube and a big syringe tomorrow. Thank you very much for your help!
I did it once some time ago, and I think it would be ok to do it now again. What type of fluid do you recommend?

 

[Eggcessive]

@casportpony is the expert on tube feeding. I would start out using some water with electrolyes and vitamins, or put 2 ml of Poultry NutriDrench in water. Get her hydrated first, then offer food. KayTee baby bird feed is a popular tube feeding liquid. You may grind up and dissolve some chicken feed in amlot of water if it will go through such a small tube. Yogurt and raw egg go through it.

 

[NatureHouse17]

I am going to search for those products and see if I can find something similar because I doubt I can find them in here. Anyway, there must be some suitable ones. And, how about the perfusion? Should I take it into account? If yes, what's the suitable subcutaneos fluid for this (saline one/based on glucose)? I have a friend who can help me with the procedure itself, he has experience,so it would be possible to use it as well.

 

[Eggcessive]

I can’t remember much about doing subcutaneous infusions years ago, but am thinking it has to be Ringers lactate or normal saline, which you would have to get from a vet. Here is a link about subQ infusions:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/subcutaneous-fluids-and-injections.914094/

Personally, I would just learn to tube feed, and give those.