NIGEL:
Since moving #47 (sick hen) up to the garage, she has shown no signs of improvement. Well maybe a little more alert on one occasion.
Anyway, I purchased a liquid multi-vitamin for her. I then wet my finger with it & tapped her beak. Tapping the beak stimulates a reflex to drink. Obviously they don't drink a lot per gulp, so I did this for several minutes. I also did this to hydrate her. I also placed water melon & some apple right next to her. It appeared she may have had 2 or 3 pecks at the melon?!
I moved her to the brooder just outside in the hope she might move around. Unfortunately, she didn't drink or eat except when I tapped on her beak. She also just sat in the corner of the brooder.
After consulting the chicken bible & several websites, I decided that I should put her down if she didn't show any signs of improvement today (almost a week of not eating & drinking). She still hadn't improved, so I put her down & buried her in the woods. Very very sad, but I couldn't risk any disease/illness for the rest of the flock, Austin, Boomer or us. Starving to death would not be pleasant either!
Very sad day in Susan's Chicken Farm history!
I'm really sorry to hear about #47 - I've had a soft spot in my heart for her since the beginning of your journey. Best to both of you, Joni
ReplyDeleteJoni,
ReplyDeleteHows Germany? I think you are thinking of #46 (the Polish). He is alive a well & chasing the hens. He is a little small though, to have his wicked way with them. We are excited that you are following from so far away!!! Have a beer for us ;)