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Post by criswell on Nov 3, 2021 2:20:14 GMT
Hope all goes well at the vets. It's great that you don't need a taxi this time.
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Post by Ira on Nov 3, 2021 3:59:46 GMT
Thanks everyone! Hopefully it will be helpful. Even just an all clear to introduce one of the others to see if that helps would be enough. And ideally what to do if it isn't enough to make her eat. There's got to be some concoction I can syringe feed her.
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Post by jellybean on Nov 3, 2021 8:21:32 GMT
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,803
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Nov 3, 2021 9:17:53 GMT
Yes good luck IraI was just remembering that when we had JoJo she would go on hunger strike when anything was different. If we gave her a new seed or put a new thing in her cage. She was very stubborn.
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Post by suesbird on Nov 3, 2021 9:42:12 GMT
fingers crossed. xx
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Post by Ira on Nov 3, 2021 10:31:49 GMT
Thanks everyone! The vet's given her a slot just before Munchy's so we can head up a little earlier too. Much to Gwen's disgust I syringe fed her a few mls of sugary water this morning. She hated the taste. Anything to try to give her body some energy though. I might have to ask about a hand feeding formula whilst I'm there just in case. Gwen actually feels like she might be a reasonable weight for her size now because she was apparently a little tubby before she came here, the vet should be able to tell me, but there's definitely not much more to spare. And I don't want to risk leaving her to sort herself out for much longer. If she gets the all clear we'll see if company helps, and if not then I'll see if Yuki's breeder sells anything or has anything to spare whilst I order my own. Oh Jojo! What is it with stubborn hens?
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Post by ariella on Nov 3, 2021 11:05:07 GMT
Thinking of you today Ira. Hope all goes well at the vets. Something I keep in is Critical Care. I use it when I’ve taken in an unwell tortoise and it’s pretty good stuff at helping them to pick up quickly. I’m sure it’s suitable for birds too. I’ll check. My son used to bring home abandoned chicks from a vets he worked at and we used to syringe feed from a tin of something but I can’t recall exactly what it was called. I’m reasonably sure it was Hills Restorative Care but can’t be 100% sure. Every hour I used to go and feed little sparrows, song thrushes, a baby seagull and tits while he was at work. He had to do the night shift though! That was a fair few years ago now but I’m sure the vet will give you something high in protein to help Gwen build up her strength. Well done to your OH for passing his driving test.
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Post by Ira on Nov 3, 2021 16:07:38 GMT
🤦♀️
*sigh*
So...
There's nothing physically wrong with Gwen, she's just extremely hormonal.
Probably best not to introduce her to the boys...
So she has a prescription for a whole 6-8 hours of daylight.
Which means OH will have to uncover her just before leaving for work and then cover her up again as soon as he comes home. I feel a bit bad because that means she'll essentially have no company at all until she chills out/quarantine ends, but at least it's a good time of year for it, winter being naturally darker.
No more giving her fuss and scritches either.
It was also recommended that I attempt to convert her diet so that she has less fats. Apparently she must be eating something because she's still alive, I suppose that's true enough. We also need to weigh her daily. OH will have to do that either in the morning or evening. The vet didn't say anything about her feeling underweight but I forgot to ask, I can ask her when she eventually calls me with Munchy's test results. It's hard to weigh her because she doesn't stay still, but it flicked to 32g most often, which is 10g lower than most of the boys, but she is quite a small bird.
I guess we shall see and then call the vet back if there are any further issues.
Apparently there's now a hormonal implant for budgie sized birds. 😯 I didn't even know they had them for bigger birds, let alone tiny ones. That was offered as a potential option if she doesn't calm down/starts laying. Would need to figure out how I feel about that really. Anyway, that's the Gwen report.
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Post by criswell on Nov 3, 2021 16:53:13 GMT
I really hope Gwen settles down. Poor girl. Does that mean she's only allowed 6 - 8 hours daylight a day?
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Post by ffiscool on Nov 3, 2021 16:56:38 GMT
I hope all these things help, and yes, she must be eating something. It’s horrible isn’t it when you feel you’re being mean but it’s for their own good.
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Post by blueelephant on Nov 3, 2021 17:05:39 GMT
Gosh hormones hey?! Who'd have them! Poor little Gwen. I hope she starts to chill out soon with the new routine.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Nov 3, 2021 17:11:19 GMT
Sorry to hear about Munchy's issue and hopefully the meds clear it up. I don't really know anything about hens but find it interesting that she's hormonal at this time of year. Maybe she sees your head of hair as a potential nest. My two little guys weigh 28 and 32 grams so if Gwen is small maybe her current weight is ok. Good luck converting her to a good diet.
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Post by jellybean on Nov 3, 2021 17:24:32 GMT
Aww, poor Gwen, let's hope the change of routine etc does the trick and she settles down.
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Post by Ira on Nov 3, 2021 18:50:56 GMT
She's only allowed 6-8 hours, yes, which will be OH's work hours. At least on weekends and my day off we can chat to her. So this weekend she will have me Friday, OH Saturday, and both of us on Sunday.
We'll take the cage out of the wardrobe into the open during the day still but leave the light off, so the daylight should be fairly dim anyway.
I hope she snaps out of it fairly quickly.
Probably going to have to keep her in a separate cage once she goes upstairs so she can't get up to mischief whilst we're out and we can cover her earlier if necessary. Which means either getting another cage or putting Munchy back in with the other boys.
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Post by ariella on Nov 3, 2021 20:49:01 GMT
Nothing is ever simple is it. Really hope Gwen’s hormones settle and she starts eating more. She’s had a lot of upheaval from breeder to pet shop, back to breeder (not sure how many times), now to you, to the vets…she’s probably going to be glad to be in the one place and I’m sure leaving the radio on for her will keep her company when you and your OH are at work. Fingers crossed you’ll find some husks and know she’s eating.
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