Since Monday, we have been heavily dosing her with the children's liquid multi-vitamin and feeding her a mixture of special foods, including: plain yogurt, cooked oatmeal, banana, peaches and strawberries. I'm not sure if any of it is helping, and I don't want to make her fat, so I don't think I'll give her treats for much longer. I plan to keep up the vitamins for a while, though.
Luckily, Jackie is so nice and low-key, that it hasn't been too hard to give her the vitamins. I just pick her up and squeeze the dropper into her beak. Today, she opened wide for me and I got a whole dose down at once. Jackie wasn't too thrilled about that, unfortunately. She made some funny chicken noises, which I took to mean that maybe some of the vitamin went up her beak.
So, that's the chicken update. Some of my anxiety has subsided, which is good. My nervousness about Jackie's condition actually kept me up worrying for a couple of nights. But, Dakota and I have decided that, while we obviously hope she heals completely, we'll be okay with having a permanently gimpy chicken. Jackie's great, and I just want her to be healthy and happy. (Yes, I am still talking about a chicken, not a kid.)
Maybe it's just a strain or something. I hope you'll see some improvement soon!
Thanks Kathi. I'm hoping it's just a strain or something else minor, too.
Do you have The Chicken Health Handbook by Gail Damerow? Not that I think you need it for Jackie, but I discovered I somehow own two copies and I would like to send you one if you don't already have it.
kathid@gmail.com
I do have that book. It's been helpful, but also a bit overwhelming. Jackie's symptoms fit so many things! Thanks for the offer, though. That's so nice of you.
I have a 3-week old chick that also seems to have rickets. I'm afraid it might be too late for it, though- I can't seem to get it to eat.
Thanks for posting this information - keep us updated!