Very ill chicken. What do I do??

[casportpony]

http://www.jefferspet.com/safe-guard-dewormer-for-goats/camid/LIV/cp/I6-SK/cn/3300/

I think the OP is in the UK, not the states, so Flubenvet might be a better option.
http://www.animalmedicationdirect.co.uk/flubenvet-1-small-flock-poultry-wormer-60g-pr-5789.html

 

[cowcreekgeek]

I think the OP is in the UK, not the states, so Flubenvet might be a better option.
http://www.animalmedicationdirect.co.uk/flubenvet-1-small-flock-poultry-wormer-60g-pr-5789.html

I sorta missed that ... good catch ~'-)

 

[tashpotato]

Thanks guys! I can't believe how nice and helpful you lot are, and I don't know what I'd do without the advice.
I like my vet but they don't really deal with poultry and I feel they might just put her to sleep.

Anyway, checked on her this morning, she's had some natural yoghurt with a couple of pellets thrown in, I checked her crop and couldt feel anything, though I am unsure I checked the right area but I felt all down and round her neck down to her body.
I felt for an egg but nothing (I though for a while she could be egg bound as although she no longer lays maybe if it were a freak egg it could get stuck?).
I haven't seen her drink though :/
She still randomly closes her eyes, I get the feeling maybe she's drained of energy or its when she's in pain?

As a precation I've ordered ACV with the mother and I'm gonna see how the yoghurt fits with her. Should I let her out during the day? It's about 2 degrees C and snowing but I don't want her bored :/

 

[dawg53]

Quote: Ditto.

 

[casportpony]

I would keep her inside where it's warm. Have a look at these:
http://www.avianweb.com/sickbirdcare.html
http://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/avmed/ampa/15.pdf
http://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/avmed/cam/07_emergency_and_critical

From:http://www.avianweb.com/sickbirdcare.html
Warmth is critical. Your bird's environment should be kept at about 90 degrees. A hospital cage would be great, as it would keep the temperature at the level you want. But most people don't have that available and an acrylic bird carrier or fish tank available at pet stores can potentially be substituted. If you use one of those, you have to monitor the temperature quite carefully. This being said, putting a sick bird into a new environment may be stressful. Maybe placing the cage into a small room that can easily be heated (small bathroom, for example) might do. Drape a heavy cover on one of the sides, but make sure that the bird doesn't "sit in the dark" -- except at night. Potential heat sources can be a heating pad underneath the cage, hot bottles or heat lamps. Of course, the heat lamps shouldn't be used at night, as your pet needs to rest. Maybe a combination of heating pad at night and a heat lamp during the day might be an option. Do whatever works best for you.

From: http://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/avmed/cam/07_emergency_and_critical_care.pdf
Sick birds are often hypothermic and should be placed in heated (brooder-type) enclosures (Fig 7.7) in a quiet environment (see Chapter 1, Clinical Practice). A temperature of 85° F (29° C) with 70% humidity is desirable for most sick birds. If brooders are not equipped with a humidity source, placing a small dish of water in the enclosure will often supply adequate humidity. A moist towel that is heated and placed on the bottom of a cage or incubator rapidly humidifies the environment, as indicated by the fogging of the acrylic cage front.​

 

[tashpotato]

I have been keeping her in a cage (meant for a dog) with enough space to waddle around with and the bottom half of a small cat carrier for a bed. I've put newspaper on the floor and in the bed there is sawdust and hay.
There is an old sheet drapes over the cage for privacy which is totally covered at night when she sleeps but I lift the front and side during the day, it's near the patio doors so there's plenty of light.

She has a bowl of water and a bowl of pellets.

She doesn't seem to of touched the water today though. Tomorrow I will try encourage it and if she refuses I will syringe some.

The cage is in the back room, which isn't paticularly warm (no radiators in there) but is certainly warmer than outside. Shall I put the electric heater on very low during the day? I am worried about overheating her.

 

[tashpotato]

Sorry guys yes I'm in the sunny uk :/

This is her yesterday, she just stood like that for about 30 minutes with her eyes closed.
I didn't let her out today as snow has laid and its so so cold

 

[casportpony]

Source: http://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/avmed/cam/07_emergency_and_critical_care.pdf

FLUID THERAPY
Oral Administration
Oral administration is the ideal method of giving fluids.
This method is more commonly used in mildly dehydrated
birds or in conjunction with subcutaneous (SC)
or intravenous (IV) therapy. Oral rehydration (30 ml/kg
PO q 6-8 h) also may be used in larger birds (eg, waterfowl)
that are difficult to restrain for parenteral fluid
therapy.
​

 

[casportpony]

Have you talked to your vet yet? Do you think you could tube feed?

 

[tashpotato]

I haven't spoke to the vet as I know what he'll say, he put my last hen to sleep as she had sour crop but I now believe as could of been cured as she wasn't that bad and I'm worried he'll just say she's old and put her to sleep when she could be made better - he's not a poultry vet.

I will try encourage her to drink tomorrow and can syringe some water to her if she doesn't drink it herself. I'm not certain she hasn't drank but I haven't seen her drink and her water hasn't gone down a noticeable amount.

She seems in better spirits today and enjoyed her pellets in yoghurt but wasn't impressed with the lettuce which she usually loves. Still keeps closing her eyes though