Tube Feeding Q and A

[casportpony]

I am soaking in hot water for 30 minutes, so it is lukewarm when I feed it. I keep getting these little clumpy bits that clog the tube. If I am careful and mash up all the clumps with a fork, then it is fine. Maybe my formula is too old.

Do you have a stick blender?

 

[SarahGfa]

Do you have a stick blender?

Yes. But I'm only mixing 60mL of food at a time, and that is too little for the stick blender. Can I make larger batches and store it in the fridge?

 

[casportpony]

Yes. But I'm only mixing 60mL of food at a time, and that is too little for the stick blender. Can I make larger batches and store it in the fridge?

Try making a double batch and see if that works better.

 

[SarahGfa]

Try making a double batch and see if that works better.

The stick blender works well. I ended up euthanizing the hen. The vet tested her for worms and bacteria, but there was no infection. Even tube feeding 180 mL per day she was still losing weight, so the vet said it must be cancer.

 

[casportpony]

Oh no, I am so sorry.

 

[JNC]

Thank you so much @casportpony this is so much help. My Pekin duck has butulism and she’s had it for three days. Will the Red rubber feeding tubes need to be thrown out after each use or can you reuse them? Also My duck is still drinking a bit but not eating. She will only eat tomatoes. Do I still tube feed her? If I do tube feed is it okay if I use her chick starter food that is what I feed them. they are 11wk The food is 18% protein and 2.5% fat. I don’t think it would be a problem since she’s alway eating that food.

 

[casportpony]

The tube can be re-used.

Have you weighed her? Has she lost weight?

 

[JNC]

The tube can be re-used.

Have you weighed her? Has she lost weight?

I have not weighed her. I didn’t realize she had butulism till last night. She eats tomatoes. Will it be okay if I feed her tomatoes till she gets better instead of tube feeding her or will she die if I just feed her tomatoes?

 

[casportpony]

You need to weigh her ASAP, and you probably need to tube fluids too.

 

[JNC]

You need to weigh her ASAP, and you probably need to tube fluids too.

I tried 1 sale and It didn’t work. I the. tried a kitchen scale but it also didn’t work!!..Ugh!!.. what scales do people use? However I’ve been picking her up and I have been feeling her lighter. It feels like she’s lost .5-1lbs over the past couple days