watery white poo picture..3 year old polish Hen lethargic,droopy wings

[casportpony]

@windhillmom , how is she? Has she lost more weight?

-Kathy

 

[JensChickies]

x2 on that.  I wonder how many chickens  and other birds she has saved through the years.

She saved mine, that's for sure.

 

[windhillmom]

Shes lost two ounces as of Monday since we started her on Safeguard 5 days ago. From 2 lb 1.5oz to 1 lb 15.6oz. We are feeding her by mouth some baby food so her poo is occasionally showing a little more solid stuff, however she doesnt seem to have the strength to go after the big meal worms. She does peck at her meat/egg dish I leave for her and I have seen her drinking. She shakes her head occasionally when she eats, not sure what that is about. We can't see anything abnormal in her mouth. Trying to get the courage to tube feed her. Tomorrow I might give her some flagyl on top of the clavamox but dont want to over do it, not sure if the dosage should be less for each if given together or the same as if it was the only medication. I purchased some blue airline tubing but I am not sure if its too big for tube feeding, about 1/4 inch diameter, what do you think?

 

[windhillmom]

here is a pic of the tubing

http://www.powergrowsystems.com/blue-1-4-diameter-airline-air-pump-tubing-sold-by-the-foot.html

 

[MrsBrooke]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/805728/go-team-tube-feeding

All you need to know. You can do it!!!!

MrsB

 

[casportpony]

here is a pic of the tubing

http://www.powergrowsystems.com/blue-1-4-diameter-airline-air-pump-tubing-sold-by-the-foot.html

1/4" should be fine. I use a size 18 french on much smaller birds and it's not too big:

French
Gauge Diameter
(mm) Diameter
(inches)
3 1 0.039
4 1.33 0.053
5 1.67 0.066
6 2 0.079
7 2.3 0.092
8 2.7 0.105
9 3 0.118
10 3.3 0.131
11 3.7 0.144
12 4 0.158
13 4.3 0.170
14 4.7 0.184
15 5 0.197
16 5.3 0.210
17 5.7 0.223
18 6 0.236
19 6.3 0.249
20 6.7 0.263
22 7.3 0.288
24 8 0.315
26 8.7 0.341
28 9.3 0.367
30 10 0.393
32 10.7 0.419
34 11.3 0.445​

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

If you do decide to tube, you should tube fluids first. 15ml per pound, then repeat in 60 to 90 minutes if her crop has cleared, then fluids with Baby Bird food which you can get at Petsmart and Petco. Call around, it is something they normally stock. Tube baby bird food at 15ml per pound 3-4 times a day as long as her crop is clearing.

Always tube warmed fluids and warmed food.
Never tube a dehydrated or hypothermic bird.

-Kathy

 

[ochochicas]

I don't like tubing either, but sometimes it is necessary to save your bird. I've been using an 18 french Bard catheter that I had to order on line. They are super cheap and shipping isn't that bad either. I think I got 12 tubes for about $12 including shipping.

The worst part about tubing is that my hen fights and fights. Right when I get the tube positioned, she will move and it comes flying out. Here are a couple of tips for you:

• Before tubing, lay the tube on the outside of your hen's neck. Put the tip of the catheter where it should sit in the crop. With a Sharpie, mark the tube where it will meet the end of the beak. When you are tubing, be sure to never insert the tube past the mark you made.
• You will be able to feel the tube go down the esophagus if you lightly place your fingers on the hen's throat. If you put the tube in the trachea you won't be able to feel it since the trachea is rigid. Also, look in the hen's mouth to be sure you have not put the tube in the trachea on accident.
• You must keep the tube very clean between feedings or bacteria will grow in it. I soak mine in chlorahexadine solution and rinse well after soaking

Good luck to you!

 

[casportpony]

Just tubed a little chick that's not doing well and already it's perkier. He's small, so used a size 10 tube and gave 2ml once, then another 2ml 15 minutes later.

-Kathy

 

[windhillmom]

I'm so excited, I just tubed Polish. Started small just 10ml of food and 10ml of water/meds. It is so much easier than all the worry.