What a Sick Bird Looks Like

Here is a critically ill peahen:


-Kathy

Somewhere I picked up a card on how to tell if a finch is sick (don't ask why, I've never had a finch). These symptoms would be true for poultry too, wouldn't they?

- sleeping during daytime (not napping, really sleeping)
- changes in diet
- dull eyes
- difficulty perching (or roosting in poultry)
- loss of balance
- antisocial behavior
- drooping wings (like the peahen in your photo)
- feathers ruffled & fluffed (trying to conserve body heat)

NorthFLChick said:

Somewhere I picked up a card on how to tell if a finch is sick (don't ask why, I've never had a finch). These symptoms would be true for poultry too, wouldn't they?

- sleeping during daytime (not napping, really sleeping)
- changes in diet
- dull eyes
- difficulty perching (or roosting in poultry)
- loss of balance
- antisocial behavior
- drooping wings (like the peahen in your photo)
- feathers ruffled & fluffed (trying to conserve body heat)

Click to expand...

Thanks, that's a great list!

-Kathy

The list should have poo issues too. Can't forget the poo!

NorthFLChick said:

The list should have poo issues too. Can't forget the poo!

Click to expand...

You are so correct! What prompted me to start this thread was the double dog dare from you *and* that while feeding I noticed one of my ducks looking "off". She was standing alone, had eyes closed, not interested in food and had her head tucked in. After watching her for a few minutes she pooped a mostly yellow liquid poop. So now I get to try to figure out what's ailing her...

-Kathy

Those double dog dares work every time

I hope your duck is ok!

NorthFLChick said:

Those double dog dares work every time

I hope your duck is ok!

Click to expand...

They sure do, especially with me.

Duck is inside, has had her exam, been given fluids and medications for what I think is a GI disturbance. What type? Impossible to know without a vet, so I'm treating her for coccidiosis, worms, enteritis and E. coli. If it's viral, drugs won't help, but the supportive care might.

What little poop she's passing is mostly a clear yellow liquid that feels slimy, like mucus, and I think there might be some blood in it.

Will give another 60ml of fluids in about 30 minutes.


-Kathy

casportpony said:

They sure do, especially with me.

Duck is inside, has had her exam, been given fluids and medications for what I think is a GI disturbance. What type? Impossible to know without a vet, so I'm treating her for coccidiosis, worms, enteritis and E. coli. If it's viral, drugs won't help, but the supportive care might.

What little poop she's passing is mostly a clear yellow liquid that feels slimy, like mucus, and I think there might be some blood in it.

Will give another 60ml of fluids in about 30 minutes.


-Kathy

Click to expand...

What breed of ducks do you have Kathy? Keep me posted on how she's doing

This one is a Muscovy, but I also have some mutt ducks.

-Kathy

NorthFLChick said:

- sleeping during daytime (not napping, really sleeping)

Click to expand...

How would one tell the difference between napping and 'really sleeping'?