I have a 4 week old Salmon Faverolle that arrived through the mail along with other mixed chicks looking and acting a bit "off." She would kind of lurch around and looked unbalanced and had an eye that appeared a bit puffy. I assumed she would improve and it was largely a result of the transport, etc. so I gave her electrolyte and just kept an eye on her in the brooder. She seemed to be improving - at least with the balance, though she was still a bit squinty in one eye (the other is fine). The other Faverolle in the mix and she have both been very, very slow growers compared to all the other chicks, but I check her after I feed everyone several times a day and she has a full crop, etc. so seems to be getting feed, etc. In fact, she isoften found riding on the back of some of the bigger chicks. I have seen no aggressive behavior in this lot - aside from some tussling and frenzy when I am feeding and watering them, etc. Unfortunately, in the last week, instead of improving she has really starting declining and now has bare patches and her eye is extremely squinty - almost closed most of the time.
Any ideas on what the issue may be and what to do about it?
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
I can't get the pics to post . I'll keep trying and post as a reply if possible
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Any ideas on what the issue may be and what to do about it?
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
- Salmon Faverolle, 4 weeks, she seems similar size and weight to the other faverolle, but they are both significantly smaller and less feathered out than the Bielefelders and Speckled Sussexes.
- She seems to have corrected her original coordination problems, and acts normal, though is startled a bit when approached on the squinty eye side, so I don't think she can see well through that eye.
- One eye is squinted almost shut all the time. Note that it does not have bubbles or any kind of discharge, etc. It does appear a little more sunken in than the other eye (since arrival, despite the slight bulge - I know that doesn't make sense)
- I have been monitoring her for respiratory issues based on another post and have seen no signs of congestion or sneezing, etc.
- She has patchier feathers (several entirely bald spots - kind of like a Cornish x) than the other faverolle and the feathers that have come in are at kind of odd angles.
- While it is cleared up now, both of the faverolles did have pasty butt for the first week, so they had to be cleaned up twice a day.
- Since arrival, but they appeared to improve after a day or so, then about a week ago started worsening again.
- The other faverolle is also quite tiny with very little feathering, but I think its just a breed characteristic?
- Otherwise, everyone else is doing very well in the mixed flock.
- No, the eye is just squinted almost shut
- She does have a very light scratch on one of her bald spots, but I think that was incidental from one of the other birds accidentally stepping on her and it doesn't appear to be an issue.
- She arrived from the hatchery like this
- She eats regular chick starter crumble and straight water with occasionally lettuce/greens treats, etc.
- not totally sure (the other chicks poop too), but her cleanliness issues are cleared up (no pasty butt anymore)
- Definitely no blood
- Electrolyte, extra attention and cleaning
- I would like to completely treat her myself.
I can't get the pics to post . I'll keep trying and post as a reply if possible
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
- I started them on paper toweling and then moved them to wood shavings, which they are currently on.
- They are currently in a 2 x 4 trough with about 2 inches of wood shaving (non-cedar). They have a heat source and I keep the average temp in the brooder at 75 right now to balance the feathered and less feathered breeds and allow them to regulate their temp.