Update: crop surgery with graphic photos

[azygous]

The temperature is more likely from her body trying to fight an infection. Getting any crop yeast under control is top priority so she can start processing food, which the yeast prevents, making it harder for the antibiotic to work since she's low on nutrition.

 

[Chickenlover0810]

does she have a stiff abdomen? feel under her does it feel like there is a big stiff ball under her???

 

[azygous]

I like this photo because it shows unambiguously where the tube needs to go. Once the tube is in, she should calm down. But it's easier with two people. I do it alone, but always feels a third hand would be useful.

 

[casportpony]

@Emilysclukscluks, so sorry your hen isn't feeling well.

Can you weigh her?

If she were mine I would start by making sure she is warm enough, then I would tube fluids at 14 ml per pound, wait 60-90 minutes and repeat, and I might even do it once more in 2-4 hours. Even though she is drinking, she is almost certainly a little dehydrated, and hydration should always be corrected before giving food.

How To Crop Feed Your Bird Diagram

This is probably the best tubing video on the web:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vUjFZRDp1W3eT9RWJVJ5DBKsFC9cMuYh/view?usp=sharing
These are using a crop needle, not a plastic tube.

This one uses a tube like I use

 

[casportpony]

@Emilysclukscluks, so sorry your hen isn't feeling well.

Can you weigh her?

If she were mine I would start by making sure she is warm enough, then I would tube fluids at 14 ml per pound, wait 60-90 minutes and repeat, and I might even do it once more in 2-4 hours. Even though she is drinking, she is almost certainly a little dehydrated, and hydration should always be corrected before giving food.

Various tubes and syringes that can be used.


This is aquarium air line. If you use this you need to melt the end so it is not too sharp.


How To Crop Feed Your Bird Diagram

This is probably the best tubing video on the web:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vUjFZRDp1W3eT9RWJVJ5DBKsFC9cMuYh/view?usp=sharing
These are using a crop needle, not a plastic tube.

This one uses a tube like I use

 

[Ladies-Eight]

@emilysclucksclucks How is Regina doing? The last I heard you were going to tube feed her. How did that go? I was hoping to see some results.

 

[Functional Chickens]

Please get back to us on how your little one is doing? I cannot tell you how much emotional investment I have in this thread.

 

[azygous]

I'm curious as to how our little rock star is doing, as well.

 

[aart]

@Emilysclukscluks update?

 

[Emilysclukscluks]

Hi Everyone! Once again sorry for the very late update, but im happy to report that our Rockstar Regina is alive and seemingly well! After her last bout of sickness I treated with amoxicillin and I ordered the tube feeding kit but she surprised me and started eating on her own! After a couple more weeks I returned her to the coop with her sister and I honestly think thats when I started to see her make a real turn for the better. She had gotten herself to a devastating weight of 3.8 lbs (her sister weighs 7.6lbs) and im happy to report she is completely back to regular eating and foraging outside. It is taking a very long time for her to gain weight, the last time I weighed her she was up to 4.9 lbs which is just over 1lb weight gain! If I weighed her again today I would assume it would be even higher! I can't thank everyone on her enough for the support, advice and knowledge! Im still so hesitant but I think our girl might be in the clear! Special thanks to @azygous you were my mentor and helped me save her life, wish I could say thanks in person! And to everyone else @aart @casportpony @micstrachan @Eggcessive and to everyone I left out