another question...maybe a dumb mistake.

[chicknmania]

Also, Sweetpea had this problem before. Not anywhere near as bad, but she was running around with her wings out. That was several months ago, I think it was last year.
It was here that I learned that this is a possible indicator of being egg bound. THAT time, she resolved it herself....or seemed to...in a few hours.

So it appears that peahens are prone to this problem? Wonderful.

 

[casportpony]

Worms can cause repro issues.

-Kathy

 

[chicknmania]

Worms can cause repro issues.

-Kathy

well...suggestions? I mean she's been dewormed. What else can I do? She is not easy to handle. Really.

 

[casportpony]

Worms can cause repro issues.


-Kathy

well...suggestions?  I mean she's been dewormed.  What else can I do?  She is not easy to handle.  Really. 

If she were mine I would have wormed her orally, especially with a known capillary worm problem, but that just the way I am. I'd also catch her and check her for a stuck egg, and if I found a stuck egg, I'd give her fluids, calcium and then I'd put her in my bathroom full of steam.

-Kathy

 

[chicknmania]

Thought this was interesting....http://www.starshine-ranch.com/PeaCare.htm

 

[new 2 pfowl]

Poor Sweetpea!
We had a problem with our girl Squeaky, where she looked like she was egg bound and then it seemed to resolve itself, so I didn't worry.
But it turned out that she did have an egg stuck in there that she couldn't lay, and she ended up dying.

I'm mentioning this because the problem that seemed to resolve itself was really not resolved at all...
So I'm with Kathy, check for an egg, or take her to a vet if possible.
And I suggest vet because, in Squeaky's case, her egg was in her uterus and I don't think I would have found it if I had checked (although I think this is rare).

 

[DylansMom]

If you're talking about the Levamisole, yes, it's a one day dose, but you are supposed to dose a second time ten days later. In our case, we were instructed to dose a second time a week later. This is because we were trying to get a quick control on the worm problem. Levamisole has been around awhile, as you can see. It was recommended as being one of the best in this situation. I researched it and learned that it is considered to be pretty safe. My concern was possible toxicity from the worms themselves, if they are killed in large numbers by the dewormer. We have had a bad experience with these worms, we have lost seven birds since the beginning of the year, we had necropsy done on one, and feel that the worms (based on symptoms) were the cause of death in at least five of the others. And really, probably all of them. So yeah, we know all about death from worms.

We intend to deworm again,next month, because the Capillary worms bury themselves in the digestive tract linings...crop, throat, intestines....of the birds. Making it hard to kill the worms.

My question is, why did you ask about deworming? Would her symptoms (continual broodiness) lead you to believe that she might be sick?

Yes, she did look like the pictures above. I did not have a camera with me when I went out to feed, and she was running around, as I said. She was also ..moaning? It was distressing.

Just my $.02 here, I've seen several egg bound peahens and none has been in any condition to run anywhere. The 2 most severe cases couldn't even walk, because severe egg binding will cause a sort of paralysis in the legs. At most I would expect to see some pacing and occasionally panting in a less severe case. The running and moaning sounds like the peahen is distressed, which could possibly be due to the disruption in her broodiness. I have had hens who broke their eggs by accident and then acted like this, they usually get over it in a day or 2. I have also seen them act like this when a male was being overly aggressive to them. It doesn't seem to me like they are sick, but do keep up with the worming, since you know the little suckers are there.

 

[chicknmania]

Just my $.02 here, I've seen several egg bound peahens and none has been in any condition to run anywhere. The 2 most severe cases couldn't even walk, because severe egg binding will cause a sort of paralysis in the legs. At most I would expect to see some pacing and occasionally panting in a less severe case. The running and moaning sounds like the peahen is distressed, which could possibly be due to the disruption in her broodiness. I have had hens who broke their eggs by accident and then acted like this, they usually get over it in a day or 2. I have also seen them act like this when a male was being overly aggressive to them. It doesn't seem to me like they are sick, but do keep up with the worming, since you know the little suckers are there.

I hope you are right, thanks for the input! When I went out late this afternoon, both peahens were out together in the field, and she looked normal. Tonight at dinner her wings were still out a little and tail up, pacing some, but no more moaning, She did eat some dinner. No panting. Weirdly, now she is roosting low... right.next to four young (9 week old) chicken pullets. Normally the peahens harass the chickens for entertainment. Could she be trying to play mom to these babies? I am kicking myself for messing with her nest..but next time should I just let her stay broody as long as she likes, even if it is for months?

 

[chicknmania]

Poor Sweetpea!
We had a problem with our girl Squeaky, where she looked like she was egg bound and then it seemed to resolve itself, so I didn't worry.
But it turned out that she did have an egg stuck in there that she couldn't lay, and she ended up dying.

I'm mentioning this because the problem that seemed to resolve itself was really not resolved at all...
So I'm with Kathy, check for an egg, or take her to a vet if possible.
And I suggest vet because, in Squeaky's case, her egg was in her uterus and I don't think I would have found it if I had checked (although I think this is rare).

I'm sorry you lost her. Birds are a mystery. Taking it under advisement...

 

[casportpony]

Many people have read that egg bound birds will be dead after 48 hours. This is *not* true, many birds can get egg bound and live for many months. One of these days I'm going to put together a "top ten" misinformation list and this will definitely be on it, lol.

@chicknmania , I'm not saying that you're hen is egg bound, and I hope she isn't, just wanted to make sure you were aware that the 48 hour "thing" is not true.

-Kathy