Top Ten Ways to Accidently Kill a Sick Bird

[Blooie]

There is a thread on here somewhere about budgies being kept in the hen coop.........*rolling eyes*

I saw that...it was getting really ugly in there.....I crawled back to the Porch after reading that one!

 

[enola]

That will teach us to just get on the porch and STAY there!

 

[Blooie]

Yeah, but you'll notice Blooie stayed OUT of it. I think the number one way to kill a sick bird is - tada - stupidity. Not "not knowing how or what to do", because that can happen to any of us, but absolute, "You can't possibly be right, therefore I chose to yell at you." stupidity. That's not exactly the way to get your birds back on the road to health. Personal opinion, by the way.

 

[enola]

Yea, I got a warning one time for using capital letters to try to get someone's attention before her bird died........

Yea, the poor bird died despite all of the good advice.....

Nobody is born knowing how to take care of sick chickens, but if you need help and take the time to ask people for help, for Pete's sake listen when someone takes time out of their life to help you.




******* putting the soap box away now *******

 

[poult]

Been thinking about this for awhile... On the list of way to kill a sick bird are:


 

• 
  [1] Leaving a sick bird out in a cold coop. Sick birds are often hypothermic and should be kept in a warm room or cage - 80 to 92 degrees is ideal.

• 
  [2] Force feeding a dehydrated bird - hydration must be corrected before attempting to force feed.

• 
  [3] Improperly giving fluids orally. Sick birds often won't swallow properly and syringing or dropping fluids in their mouths can cause them to aspirate.

• 
  [4] Force feeding a hypothermic bird. Birds must be warmed and have their hydration corrected before feeding.

• 
  [5] Bathing a sick or injured bird. Don't do it!

• 
  [6] [COLOR=FF0000]Add handling a critically I'll bird. Sometimes handling them is enough to send them over the edge.[/COLOR]

• 
  [7] [COLOR=0000FF]Wait too long to provide care or ignore subtle symptoms that a bird is might be sick.[/COLOR]

• 
  [8] [COLOR=FF8C00]Failing to do a proper, thorough exam.[/COLOR]

 


Please feel free to add your own suggestion or comments.


-Kathy

[COLOR=FF0000]Added entry in red[/COLOR]
[COLOR=0000FF]Added entry in blue[/COLOR]
[COLOR=FF8C00]Added entry in orange[/COLOR]

I've only experienced a death by #5 Luckily I've done a good enough job with the others I haven't had anyone die unless the sickness or injury itself killed them.

 

[casportpony]

Sadly, I've done a few...

-Kathy

 

[poult]

Practice makes perfect & that includes medical science so don't feel bad

 

[Squizz]

How about medicating with Paracetamol? I'm ashamed to say it was pure ignorance on my part.... I was so concerned and panicked after a dog attack (that she may well have survived) I'd separated her from the others, kept her in a box with straw in the kitchen and was convinced she was in pain. If I'd have left the meds out of it, she may well have survived. She went down hill over a weekend so much so I had her put to sleep. I felt so guilty.

 

[Rayelene]

Its really scary as a new chicken owner when they get sick (two of mine are right now). I posted a cry for help but got very little response. I read that they can go downhill really quickly (and one of mine did) and when you are inexperienced and don't know whats wrong with them its difficult not to panic and throw everything at them. There is so much conflicting information that I feel totally overwhelmed right now.

 

[getreal]

Its really scary as a new chicken owner when they get sick (two of mine are right now). I posted a cry for help but got very little response. I read that they can go downhill really quickly (and one of mine did) and when you are inexperienced and don't know whats wrong with them its difficult not to panic and throw everything at them. There is so much conflicting information that I feel totally overwhelmed right now.

I just found this thread and I'm just overwhelmed right now.

I've had 2 sick birds now in 3 weeks. messy vent, maybe prolapse. I asked in another forum for help and got nothing. I'm flying by the seat of my pants here. reading this thread, Sadly, I've made some of these mistakes. I agree there is sooo much info here that I don't know what to do. I followed this thread trying to find out the symptoms of worms. my girl is really sick and I'm afraid she won't make it.