exhausted bird

[chickenfan]

Unfortunately I found one of my birds trapped in the fence and barely alive this morning. It was an extremely cold, frosty night and she may also not have had anything to eat or drink for some time. I've had her wrapped in a towel by the radiator and been syringing aternatively sweet weak black tea and 'critical care' glucose/protein fluids every hour. She is less completely collapsed than she was but is still incredibly dazed and unable to eat or drink herself. Perhaps it will just take time to improve from such a very near death experience - if she does recover - or perhaps there is something more I should be doing.

[Marigold]

Poor girl, I hope she recovers. Not much more you can do, except what you are already doing. Personally I would stick to plain water - much as I myself would like a cup of tea after a near-death experience! Do let us know how she gets on.

[bigyetiman]

Oh dear, I would just keep her warm and stress free and give her water. Plenty of TLC, hope she recovers, hens are quite resilient

[chickenfan]

Thanks Marigold and Bigetyiman. She's finally on her feet and has eaten a big meal, but is still very dazed and motionless. I'm still giving her warm fluids as she hasn't started drinking, but have stoped the tea, although this did seem to help when she was barely breathing.

[valeriebutterley]

Poor her and poor you, Chickenfan.
Hope she recovers well, I think TLC and warmth and water are what she wants, poor love, as do you!
I hate it when any of mine are in distress even a bit, mine are such a hardy lot and seem to get on well, so these never seems to be a stray to get into trouble.
Now they are grown and growing they are all together in the big pen, Croads, my Australorp, 3 Pekins and 4 white leghorns and my 2 brown girls. One of the Pekins is best mates with one of the Croads, funny to see them together

They all get on well and it is lovely to see them together. They also get garden time on a very nice day.

Roll on Summer.

[chickenfan]

Well I haven't been too clever as I let her eat too much in one go when she started eating and she has had an impacted crop. I hope it will gradually start working again and does finally seem to be beginning to empty again. Thanks for your message Valerie.

[Marigold]

I'm glad she seems to be pulling round. When she goes back and tells the others what treats she's been having, they'll all want to come indoors in the warm!