Aprox. 4 week old pullett with feathers/fuzz missing and scabby head

[LunaChick07]

1) What type of bird , age and weight.

Buff Orpington, best estimate = 4 weeks old, half pound.

2) What is the behavior, exactly.

She scratches compulsively at her head and neck and also tries to scratch her waddle area with her beak. She also shakes her head and she has scabby looking stuff on her head/neck that has spread since yesterday. Looks like new feathers are missing too.

3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?

Noticeably two days.

4) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.

No, not that I can tell.

5) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.

We have a flock of 8 pullets (our first flock and venture into chickens). They all seem to be doing fine except her. We’ve just quarantined her this afternoon until we figure out what it is. Last weekend, we moved them to a larger brooder/cage and they also had their first venture outside. They’ve also been introduced to new things to eat like a worm, hard boiled egg, and tomatoe.

6) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.

Yes, I’ve watched her eat chick starter (un-medicated) and drink fresh water.

7) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.

Looks normal, not runny at all.

8) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?

None; other than an examination to see if we can see mites or other injury and to quarantine her. I could not see any mites or bugs on her. There doesn’t appear to be another injury.

9 ) What is your intent as far as treatment?

We’d like to treat ourselves if at all possible.

10) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.

Yes, sorry for the quality. It’s the best I can do for now – can’t seem to locate the camera cable – these are from my phone. There is a video of her too but I can't seem to get it posted. Perhaps these pics will give yall some ideas while I work on that.
http://www.salingsobedience.com/temp/Sugar.jpg

11) Describe the housing/bedding in use.

They are currently in a converted large dog crate with corrugated cardboard under the create and pine Shavings in the crate. Here is a pic of that.
http://www.salingsobedience.com/temp/Brooder.jpg

Should we keep her separated or not? How do we fix it?
Thanks so much!

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

She looks itchy. My first thought was lice/mites, but you said you looked and did not see any. Did you see the others picking on her at all? When she was out, did she dust bathe anywhere, could she have gotten something on herself that burned (chemical)?

I have no solid answers. If it was me, I would try to put some triple antibotic cream on it (NO pain killer in the formula - no 'caines - like lidocaine - will kill the bird). Do you see new feather growth (shafts)?

 

[LunaChick07]

Thanks so much for your reply! I'm relieved that she seems to be getting better! I put triple anitbiotic ointment on her twice a day and also started to feed the whole flock medicated chick starter (just in case). I ordered some diatamacious earth and just received it so will start to use that too.

She still scratches and shakes her head some but her feathers are growing back and her neck isn't angry red anymore. Day before yesterday, I put her back in the crate with the other girls and they have welcomed her back into the fold (no one is picking on her). I am monitoring all of them closely. She and I have bonded some since I was the only friend she had for a week or so - I made sure I spent time with her everyday. I like that she still comes to me and hops on my arm even now that she has all her friends back.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I am so glad that she is doing better. Sometimes they can really stump us and cause concern

- little stinkers.


Always nice to hear that the flock has accepted their member back.