Silkie thread!

I am in need of...I don't know. Assistance? Guidance? Encouragement? Affirmation?

My little 5 month old porcelain silkie pullet got pecked on the head by my bantam BR during introductions, and has been pretty much down n' out since. That was a week ago. I have been feeding her around 3-4 times a day, and finally got to the point where she's maintaining weight (hoping that'll change and she'll add weight).

She does not exhibit the normal "wry neck" symptoms besides a drifting head as I like to call it. She doesn't move her head in weird positions, tuck, flip over, etc. All she does is sit and stand around all day, moving her head slightly. Our major problem is that she will not eat and drink on her own. She hasn't pecked at anything since she was hit. I was hand feeding her with tweezers and a syringe until yesterday when my vet helped me jerry-rig a feeding tube out of a large syringe and a catheter. She is currently being fed pellets and baby bird formula (powder+water). Tonight I added some pellets to her slurry to try and get more nutrients in her.

At this point, I don't know what to do. I am tired, and my efforts seem futile. However it seems like every day she fights me harder at each feeding, keeps her eyes open for longer periods of time, seems more aware...I dunno. I just picked up some prednisone from a friend and gave her her first dose tonight.

Anyone know how long it takes for head injuries to heal, or if this sounds like something that will heal? I can't tell if this is brain damage or something that will heal. I just don't know how long I should continue what I'm doing, but I am very exhausted. She comes to work with me and gets fed on my breaks.

Thanks, and here's a pic of my baby before her head injury
I've just recovered from a mild traumatic brain injury. It took 10 months, but I steadily improved with a few set backs here and there. According to my neurologist, rest is the most important thing you can give a recovering brain--lots of sleep, low stress and mental rest. It is very hard to not think, but not thinking is what a recovering brain needs. If she were my chicken, I would be putting her in a quiet darkened box for longer than a normal-length night.

Prednisone was not part of the therapy, and I think the studies on spinal cord injuries suggest it does not improve outcomes

Yes, I think she will recover.

When I was first injured I had no self awareness. I would forget to keep holding onto a cup I had in my hands. I forgot to eat. I forgot to fill the water bowl for my poor dog for days (thankfully, it rained over that period). Strangers would talk really, really slowly to me using short, simple sentences and words. I had trouble understanding and following conversations. I was a mess. It took me several months to recognize just how bad I was. I thought I was getting worse, but the doctor was thrilled because I was becoming self aware. I still have a couple of little issues, but I am basically back to who I was.
 
700


Baby Kona hatched this morning! Still fluffing out!
 
My Catdance babies are two weeks old now and doing great. Fat, little piggies they are!
lol.png
The tiny lavender chick is the one I had to help hatch and hand feed for the first 3 days. I am having so much fun with these guys!


 
Two new roo's!

(no name yet) White showgirl


Kringle, Black Silkie


Pretty little charlie with her Tie-dye do
wink.png



Cindy Lou Whow, I got the showgirl roo for her


The babies! Jingle and Jangle
I think Kringle is very nice, but I didn't say anything on the breeding/showing thread because there are so many more knowledgeable people on there to share their opinions. I only say something if nobody else says anything...

Your White boy has a lot of red, hopefully the cross will get you back to the black skin again. Did Cindy get to dress-up for Halloween?

My Catdance babies are two weeks old now and doing great. Fat, little piggies they are!
lol.png
The tiny lavender chick is the one I had to help hatch and hand feed for the first 3 days. I am having so much fun with these guys!


That is a whole towel load of cuteness. They get big so fast, weren't they just born yesterday?
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom