SammiSixx Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Hi all - I'm new 'round these parts so firstly - hello! I'm the proud owner (although sometimes I wonder who owns who!) of 2 ex battery hens and one 12 week old chick... and she's currently the problem. I've been introducing her to the other 2 over time, bit by bit, putting her in to roost at night, letting scratch around together in the daytime (with supervision) - apart from a few warning pecks it's generally been fine. The other night, popped her in to roost as usual - all good - heard a bit of a commotion, went to grab her back out and noticed a wound on the back of her neck - she'd had a bit of a nasty peck. She seems fine, happy enough - I have of course separated her off now to let it heal - took her to the vet and they gave her a course of antibiotics, to be taken orally, for 10 days.... Now here's the problem. How on earth can I get her to take it from the syringe when she just doesn't want to? Does anyone have any experience of this?? Wow - sorry, that was a bit of a long-winded story for a short question!! Ha Any advice would be great... I want to make sure she makes a quick recovery. Sammi x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 I had antibiotics in tablet form, so I ground them down with a pestle and mortar and mixed it with a small amount of tuna and sweetcorn. If it is liquid form, try mixing it with her favourite treat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Wrap her in a towel so that she doesn't flap about. If you can get someone to help even better. Hold her head steady and gently prize the beak open with your thumb nail carefully put the syringe in her mouth and slowly trickle the fluid in so that she doesn't choke. You need three hands really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 When I had to give one of my girls liquid antibiotics, I cut grapes (the most favourite treat in the world) in half, hollowed them out and put tiny drops of antibiotics inside them. She did flick them about a bit before eating them, but she made a fell recovery so I guess enought of the antibiotice got into her system. I also had my daughter to help with the procedings. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Wrap her in a towel so that she doesn't flap about. If you can get someone to help even better. Hold her head steady and gently prize the beak open with your thumb nail carefully put the syringe in her mouth and slowly trickle the fluid in so that she doesn't choke. You need three hands really. Thats what I do/am doing at the mo. With my last chook i could do this alone but with Lorraine OH gives me a hand. Its easy once you get the hang of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 I recently asked a vet how to do this. He said tilt chook's head right back, prise beak open, hold open with finger and syringe anti-b straight into back of throat, quite far down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SammiSixx Posted June 20, 2008 Author Share Posted June 20, 2008 Thanks guys for all the tips - It was a bit easier today - the towel thing really helps. She still doesn't like it but at least she's getting a bit down her! The cut on her back is healing fast so fingers crossed it'll all be OK. Going back to the vets next week for a check up to make sure. And thanks for the heads up on the grapes! I never knew that - went out and got them some to munch and they all love them!! Sammi xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reikiranf Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 My Yum Yum's on antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops at the moment and the vet said to put the drops onto a piece of bread, so I let my girls out to free range wait til the others aren't looking and then give Yum Yum her meds, which she usually polishes off in no time Had a bit of a battle this morning though as Yum Yum (the Forest Gump of the chicken world) decided to run off with it which had Mimi running over and snatching a bit Fortunately I snatched it off her and gave it back to Yum Yum, so tomorrow she'll be picked up and have to eat it from my hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SammiSixx Posted June 21, 2008 Author Share Posted June 21, 2008 I've taken to putting the antibiotic into half a hollowed-out grape (now I know that the girls like them) - and she just drinks it straight from there, all up! Phew...!! Thanks again for all your great advice - I hope those chooks on meds at the moment all made a speedy recovery. Sammi xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
