Heimlech manuver on a hen?

[hedgehog]

I let my free range birds out this morning, and they all were running around eating the grain I'd scattered. Suddenly, I noticed one of the hens, maybe 3 or 4 years old, maybe 6 (I've had birds for 20 some years, standing there with her mouth open. She seemed in some sort of distress, so i picked her up and took her to the water can. She didn't drink but started fluttering. I shook her head down, but no good. She was dead in about 30 seconds.

The only thing I can figure is that she got some grain in her windpipe.

:shrug:

[pansypoo53219]

1. yeah.

i would have tried giving her a squeeze.

[Shagbark Hickory]

2. Im sorry for your loss.

Did you try mouth-to-beak resuscitation?

[AnneD]

3. Funny you should ask...

My dog started choking on his food yesterday. When I noticed him, he was falling to the ground and had peed himself. I grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, placed my thumb and finger on opposite sides of his throat and did a deep rub, top to bottom...mimicking normal peristalsis of the muscles of the throat. It worked.

I am a CPR instructor and Nurse, and while I have given mouth to mouth to a dog before, this was my first attempt at HM. From what I know about chicken anatomy and behavior I recommend trying this. If they have their mouth open, they must have a complete airway block....they couldn't take water if they wanted to. I would grab them by the feet (I don't think they can fight you at this point), turn them upside down and hug them. Remember, you have adrenaline going so give a light hug at first to get a feel. I would try hugging a couple of inches behind the wings, below the ribs. That might create enough negative pressure to pop the object out. By holding them upside down, gravity will help you...just like back blows to an infant.

But remember, just like CPR on a human, you may not be successful. Don't beat yourself up about it if you are not successful. You tried to help, and that is what is important. You kept your head and tried to save them. :grouphug:

When you farm, you know you are raising food-the thing is to give them a happy life and respect and honor their sacrifice. I have always held the belief that it more folks were farmers, we would eat less meat.