[Hawkins]

I have a poorly chicken again, showing the same symptoms as Holly did.
Lethargic
standing all tucked up
small crop
not eating a lot
no eggs
runny poo
Warm under the wings
Cold crest

have watched her for 3 days, didnt sleep very well last night so this morning we went off to the vet. I dont think he was any great chicken eggspert and said very little but did give me some Baytril and see her in a week unless she goes down hill.

Question
Directions for the baytril is 2ml in 500 ml of water. At that rate I dont think she  will get enough in her. Any ideas if I can give it to her another way. Ive heard people put it on bread but then at what ml.

Any tips and ideas would be great. i dont want to loose another.

Oh and I brought her home OH is going to have a shock tonight but this time she is in the shed with the rabbits and guinea pigs. Shes currently wandering around the garden with them eating grass.

Any ideas please.

[Vember]

Don't know Em Sorry

Hope she perks up soon for you x

[Foxy]

If you would prefer the oral solution which you simply syringe in or pop on bread, I would phone and ask maybe they could swop for the medication you have been given (if you haven't opened it) Ask for Baytril 2.5% and weigh her first, as the dose will be calculated on weight.
Good luck with her.

[Kate and her Ducks]

As Foxy says you can get an oral solution which is what I had for Patrick. Much easier to get into them especially if she is not drinking. Is a bit of a knack to getting it down them but at least you know they are getting it.

[staffschicks]

When one one mine was sick she wasn't eating or drinking so my vet gave me injections, I injected them into her chest (breast I suppose) she picked up slowly and is now OK.  I was happy that she was getting the correct dose and I don't think it was much more costly than oral ( the consultation and antibiotic inclucing syringes cost £19-00 - more than a replacement chicken bit that wasn't really the point).

[raeburg]

Mines having 1ml of 2.5% baytril twice a day.  She's a rescue ex bat weighing 2.33 kg.

[spiderchick]

hi, i have been just been reading about your poorly chicken, i seem to have the same problem with mine. i have lost two and am new to chickens having been used to rabbits(lots of them). i had them of a friend of mine (they had had them two years).
the first thing i noticed was the runny poo which started out green then went white then she stopped eating and drinking.i sat with her for over a hour trying to get her to eat and drink but it happened so fast. my son was really upset and so was i. we have now only two left and i dont know when to get some more. these two seem ok (at the moment :happy:)
i hope you can find out what is wrong with your chickens i have asked a few people i know that have chickens and they have just said it is one of those things ... not really helpful

hope your chicken gets better
 all the best

[staffschicks]

The problem with 2 cickens is that if you lose one one is left on it's one.  I know some people have had problems integrating new chickens but in my (short) experience it settles down in a couple of weeks. 

[Hawkins]

spoke to the vet yesterday who advised it could be given orally if she wasnt drinking much and to give it to her  twice a day about 1ml each time.

So I have started doing this.

She is still with us but still lethargic. I am trying everything to keep her eating, Warm layers mash, warm porridge, warm potato mash a little cat food, a few dry mealworms a few live mealworms. She also has corn, rabbit food and sry layers mash around her. Her crop is tiny but she did lay a lash yesterday.

Any ideas what else I can try. she has a bit and then goes all tired again.

[andreadon]

i'm giving sandra water by syringe every couple of hours - i got a feeding syringe from Pets at Home (the dog section, actually!!)
it means that i know that she's getting water.

i hope you don't find it as hard to syringe the stuff (baytril) into her mouth as i do.
i put her on a high serface and tuck her under my arm - then with the other hand i try to open her beak.
it takes forever to get her to do it, but eventually she gives up! then push down the plunger and let her go!

[Hawkins]

Oh Has been holding her while i syringe her and so far she is quite good.

Thanks for the tips, will se ehow she gets on.

[Hawkins]

Does anyone know if I make up a weak solution of layers mash and water, do you think she will be okay to syringe this down her neck just a couple of times a day.

I dont want to stress her out but she has been grat with her antibiotics.

[nicchick]

Hi, have you tried sugar or glucose in the water? I have even resorted to maple syrup! It just gives them enough energy to get going again if they are going to. I drip it from a syringe onto their beak and they tend to lick at it. I think ex-bats are used to these trickle drinkers a bit like hamster bottles. Hope there is some improvement, Nic.

[Hawkins]

good tip nick thanks, I had to work toady 12 hour shifts but dad popped in 3 times to check on her and offer her tasty bits. I must say I think she looks a bit more perky today. She has laid another 2 lashed about 1p size each.

She has been out on the grass tonight and was tucking in quite well even ate a massive worm.

I have a little hope and I have named her Delilah.

Fingers crossed everyone.