My Faverolle will be 3 weeks old tomorrow. He's been fine, as have the two female faverolles and the other 4 that were shipped with him. Just this evening when we were changing the litter, we picked him up and noticed that he felt very much larger through the lower part of his body -- he is quite distended -- his abdomen and stomach feel squishy -- almost gelatinous. It's not a firm distension at all. His skin seems to be stretching to accommodate the extra content. Other than not wanting to be held, his behavior seems pretty normal. In terms of his history, he was one of 8 ordered from a hatchery. They arrived 3 weeks ago Wednesday. A Red Buff from the same shipment died the 1st night we had it. All the others seemed to be healthy, aside from a bit of pasting which a few of them had, and which cleared up during the first few days. They have been eating well, drinking well, and growing rapidly into lovely birds.
They have been housed a large rubbermade bin with screen over the top. We've been using the same food we used for other chicks raised this spring (a medicated chick starter) and so far no "treats" of any kind. The temperature was maintained carefully, beginning at 95 and has been reduced 5 degrees each week (we are due to go to 80 degrees this Wednesday.)
Following a couple of days on paper towels on top of shredded paper and flakes, They have been on "echo-flakes" litter, a soft wood shaving material that we've used all this season.
I cant think of anything else to add but I am very worried about him.
This seems to have come out of nowhere! I don't pick up every one of them every day, but I do reach in and pet them, and observe their behavior. They've been active, a bit naughty as usual ( kicking stuff into their food and water feeders, etc.) They've been playing king of the mountain with their little perch -- I wouldn't have thought anything was wrong -- but this looks (and feels) scary. It sort of feels like he's just not been able to poop anything out -- but there is no sign of pasting.
Please, Any information or help that any of you might have to share would be so appreciated!
They have been housed a large rubbermade bin with screen over the top. We've been using the same food we used for other chicks raised this spring (a medicated chick starter) and so far no "treats" of any kind. The temperature was maintained carefully, beginning at 95 and has been reduced 5 degrees each week (we are due to go to 80 degrees this Wednesday.)
Following a couple of days on paper towels on top of shredded paper and flakes, They have been on "echo-flakes" litter, a soft wood shaving material that we've used all this season.
I cant think of anything else to add but I am very worried about him.
This seems to have come out of nowhere! I don't pick up every one of them every day, but I do reach in and pet them, and observe their behavior. They've been active, a bit naughty as usual ( kicking stuff into their food and water feeders, etc.) They've been playing king of the mountain with their little perch -- I wouldn't have thought anything was wrong -- but this looks (and feels) scary. It sort of feels like he's just not been able to poop anything out -- but there is no sign of pasting.
Please, Any information or help that any of you might have to share would be so appreciated!
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