Got home from a short vacation (adult was taking care of pets) and discovered one of my roosters just standing in one spot with his eyes shut. It got very cold while we were gone and I have a feeling he stayed in the enclosed yard and did not go in the coop because he normally sleeps outside. So I'm thinking he got chilled. Anyway, I brought him in, warmed him up, and fed him warmed oatmeal with a syringe. Years ago my parrot vet told me if a bird goes in shock, etc., to jumpstart them with warmed sugar and wine (or some type of alcohol), which I did also. I fed him a small amount of oatmeal every few hours and he seemed to perk up and ate a little on his own yesterday afternoon and evening. He is 1-1/2 yrs. and is also molting again.
I cannot afford to take him to the vet (my last bird I took in, died on their table, and the bill was almost $800) and they are really not familiar with chickens anyway, so wondered if anyone could give me some suggestions. I am going to boil an egg and offer him that also. Should I stick with the oatmeal that has brown sugar in it or is something else better? He is pooping normally and I cannot detect anything abnormal with his body.
Any help would be much appreciated. I have him in a crate with blankets and towels over it and in his bed to keep him warm. Should I also put in a heating pad? Thanks.
I cannot afford to take him to the vet (my last bird I took in, died on their table, and the bill was almost $800) and they are really not familiar with chickens anyway, so wondered if anyone could give me some suggestions. I am going to boil an egg and offer him that also. Should I stick with the oatmeal that has brown sugar in it or is something else better? He is pooping normally and I cannot detect anything abnormal with his body.
Any help would be much appreciated. I have him in a crate with blankets and towels over it and in his bed to keep him warm. Should I also put in a heating pad? Thanks.