Tube feeding a hen that won’t eat

[vantain]

So, I have mentioned this off and on for the past couple of months, but my oldest Hen, Gwyneth, an ISA Brown (3yr, 9mo), had not been doing so well. A few weeks back I had posted where she was struggling, but she overcame that issue and was "normal" again for a few weeks. About a week ago, she suddenly stopped eating and drinking again, and has continued to lose weight. I have tried several things, and nothing seems to work. About four days ago, I started tube feeding her water (with electrolytes and vitamins), to make sure she was not becoming dehydrated. I have continued that through today. I have also been trying to get her to eat. She started out by accepting scrambled eggs, then after two days of that she didn't want anymore. Then we went to chopped apples, and now she won't eat that, and I'm on boiled rice now, which she will eat with egg yolk on it. However, while she does eat it, she isn't eating enough at all to matter. Tube feeding her water has helped. She does clear her crop overnight. Her poop though are mainly tiny green poops, the kind that show they are essentially starving to death.

She also seems to struggle in the cold. Right now, we are having a cold snap, with nights down to -15, and daytime temperature in the single digits either just above or below 0. I moved her inside, and she perked up quite a bit, but is still not eating. She is also molting slightly, and has quite a few pin feathers on her neck and breast area. Maybe growing new feather really, as she isn't losing any feathers.

She is, or was before I moved her inside, the top Hen, but as of today has not been with her flock for two days. She hates being inside and away from her flock, and is being fussy about it. Any thought or ideas here?

I wonder if tube feeding her would get her past this stage.

 

[vantain]

So I let her spend about 20 minutes with her flock today, while I tended to the other hens, and she had no issues with being the boss. Ha ha…and I wondered what would happen.

Anyway, tonight she ate only the egg yolk, and a few pieces of rice. Wondering if I should try tube feeding some baby bird formula or something. Running out of ideas to get her eating on her own.

 

[vantain]

I have been tube feeding water, since she won’t drink on her own, and she does look better, and not dehydrated anymore. But the catheter I’m using is only a 14F so I can’t use it with food. At least, I’m struggling to make
It work.

 

[vantain]

Anyone??
I started tube feeding yesterday. Using Kaytee Exact hand feeding formula for baby birds. I mix in some cat food (fish) and get it into a slurry. I am feeding Gwyneth 35ml of this concoction twice a day, and also include water in between feedings. She is processing her food, as her crop was clear this morning. Her poop has improved as well. Still a tinge green, but I’m now seeing some brown in there, and it is more volume.

I also started a worming regiment, with safeguard. As of this evening, she still won’t eat or drink on her own, but the tube feeding seems to be having a good response.

 

[vantain]

@casportpony I hear you are the expert on tube feeding. Am I right to hand feed this way to help my hen hopefully get her appetite back?

 

[Orpingtons Mom]

Hello. I did my first tube feeding of a young hen... 20ml of the same thing you are feeding. She is looking much brighter, so I am encouraged.

From my research, I think you are supposed to feed four times a day. However, I am sure it depends upon how much.

How much of the KT are you feeding, and is it the baby bird formula?

 

[vantain]

Hello. I did my first tube feeding of a young hen... 20ml of the same thing you are feeding. She is looking much brighter, so I am encouraged.

From my research, I think you are supposed to feed four times a day. However, I am sure it depends upon how much.

How much of the KT are you feeding, and is it the baby bird formula?

I'm using a heaping scoop, soaked in hot water. I usually add some cat food (fish) to supplement a bit, and get that into a nice pancake batter consistency. That amounts to 55-60ml in my feeding syringe. I started out with less, but moved to doing that amount twice yesterday, and will try for three of those feedings today. I also force feed her water to make sure she is staying hydrated. She is processing what I give her, and her poops, while a bit watery, are firming up and I'm seeing less of the bright green. So I think it's helping. So far though, she still has no interest eating or drinking on her own. She's very alert and otherwise seems fine. It is supposed to get up to 35F here today, so I will be letting her spend some time with her flock, which always seems to perk her up.

And yes, it's the baby bird formula.

 

[Orpingtons Mom]

I’m using the same stuff and it seems to go down ok. I’m glad it is balanced!! That makes me feel a lot better. She’s had 20 then 30. Next will be 20, and just before bed, 30.

How much water to a heaping scoop?

 

[vantain]

I’m using the same stuff and it seems to go down ok. I’m glad it is balanced!! That makes me feel a lot better. She’s had 20 then 30. Next will be 20, and just before bed, 30.

How much water to a heaping scoop?

I make it enough to be a somewhat runny pancake batter, which is easier to push through the catheter tube I use.

 

[Orpingtons Mom]

Yup, that’s about what mine is like. I might make a bit thicker.