Last Call for help with Sick Chicken, Home Euthanasia May Be Necessary

[GitaBooks]

I haven't wormed the hen. Maybe I can get my mother to take my to the Tractor Supply store, but I'm not sure if I'll have the chance.

Don't worry, I understand how hard it can be to get the supplies we need. I hope you can help her. There are some natural things I hear that can help, though I don't think they work as well as chemicals. Best of luck!

 

[YankeeMinstrel]

Speaking of these chemicals, should I get worming medicine for her, what's a suggested brand that will be easy on her system? When presenting the idea of getting worming medication for the bird, my mother said that some medicines might kill the hen.

 

[enola]

Safeguard liquid for goats is one of the gentlest wormers made. Tests have been done where huge overdoses were given and the animal's health was not compromised.

When you treat your hen, dose her 5 days in a row, this will kill any worm a chicken can get.

 

[Emma Miriam]

Well, the best way to get some weight on her would be tube feeding...basically putting a tube a little ways down the throat and feeding that way. I've heard it's not hard to do and can save a chicken's life, but you would need the proper supplies (or a vet) to do this. For many people, it's not very feasible. So just encourage her to eat anything she'll eat. Often chickens like scrambled eggs, and they have good nutrition, which is why I recommended them. If she won't eat that, try her favorite treat. Mealworms, maybe? At this point, you just need to focus on getting her to eat SOMETHING.

As for her poop, brown and white is good...if you see any green, that's bile, and it means she is VERY malnourished and needs to eat immediately. So watch for that. Is her poo watery? If you catch her right after she's pooped, snap a picture and post it here.

At this point, since she hasn't responded to the antibiotic and still doesn't want to eat, worming her isn't a bad idea. See if you can get to TSC. In the meantime, just keep her eating and drinking. Maybe she'd eat a small amount of yogurt or oatmeal?

 

[YankeeMinstrel]

My mother does not have any interest in tub feeding, so that is unlikely to become a reality. The hen does seem to appreciate bread more than scrambled eggs, unfortunately, but at least that's something.

I was again unable to find time to go to the Tractor Supply, but the chicken feed is slowly dwindling, so we'll have to go sometime anyhow. also, has Safeguard been tested on chickens? If it is easy on one animal, it could be completely different for another.

 

[enola]

Safeguard is safe for chickens, many of us use it all the time.

 

[GitaBooks]

My chickens love french toast. This will make them think they are eating bread but actually be getting a lot of egg with it as well.

 

[YankeeMinstrel]

So, my shopping list ought to look like this:
-Safeguard
-Some sort of poultry vitamin (riboflavin-containing suggested)
*Any brand in particular to look for?
-Perhaps Manna Pro Poultry Protector, which may be less toxic than the anti-lice dust we currently have.
-New bag of feed

Anything else to put on the list?



In the meantime, her comb and to some degree her waddles seem to be regaining a fair deal of color. Good sign?

 

[GitaBooks]

So, my shopping list ought to look like this:
-Safeguard
-Some sort of poultry vitamin (riboflavin-containing suggested)
*Any brand in particular to look for?
-Perhaps Manna Pro Poultry Protector, which may be less toxic than the anti-lice dust we currently have.
-New bag of feed

Anything else to put on the list?



In the meantime, her comb and to some degree her waddles seem to be regaining a fair deal of color. Good sign?

Looks like a good list.

Brightening combs are a good thing, and I hope she gets better soon.

 

[YankeeMinstrel]

She seems to like bread more than other things, so maybe I'll cook the family breakfast and save some leftovers for the bird.

Another thing may I ask, what is the general list of worms symptoms? It would be nice to be absolutely sure before I start her treatment.