Chick backing up after drinking.

[thecatumbrella]

An update...

Willow is now 13 weeks-old, and the behavior's resumed spontaneously over the last few weeks. It's very on/off. We're retreating with B complex + E and will update again if it resolves.

 

[RoyalChick]

An update...

Willow is now 13 weeks-old, and the behavior's resumed spontaneously over the last few weeks. It's very on/off. We're retreating with B complex + E and will update again if it resolves.

But otherwise, and up to now, she has been doing OK?

 

[thecatumbrella]

But otherwise, and up to now, she has been doing OK?

Yes. I really thought she was cured (or outgrew it). I'll frequently find her with her head down (almost like she's wiping her beak) and backing up until she hits a wall. That seems to reset her forward momentum.

Not only that, but we've occasionally seen the same behavior with her sister, Wren. I really don't know what to think.

 

[RoyalChick]

Yes. I really thought she was cured (or outgrew it). I'll frequently find her with her head down (almost like she's wiping her beak) and backing up until she hits a wall. That seems to reset her forward momentum.

Not only that, but we've occasionally seen the same behavior with her sister, Wren. I really don't know what to think.

I am beginning to think 'eccentricity' - but I would still give vitamins just in case.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I am beginning to think 'eccentricity' - but I would still give vitamins just in case.

It's certainly a lot easier now that she's bigger! Trying to dose a 10 day-old bantam chick was like threading a wiggling needle.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Sad update.

Willow was euthanized yesterday. She had a 6 week break from her condition, but it hadn't responded to vitamin treatment over the last 8 weeks.

Her brooder-mates were very tolerant of her up until point-of-lay. Willow became a target for birds looking to increase their standing, and what would normally be a pecking order dispute, turned into full-on bullying and chasing. They clearly did not want her in the flock.

We attempted to partition her next to the flock for safety, but Willow became so distressed over 3 days that she barely ate or drank. Her backing up became almost constant. She spent the days pacing the partition wall (even with the other birds right next to it) and nights crying until lights out. I did not believe she could handle a rehoming in this state, and a new flock would be unlikely to accept such a weak bird. In addition, I can't really say how uncomfortable these backing up episodes are for her. But to be so stressed that you're unable to eat, drink, move forward, evade bullies, etc...

She was dealt such an unfair hand. I'm absolutely gutted. So please let this be a caution to anyone that has a chick like Willow. Her friends may accept her while they're young, but that will almost certainly change after 12+ weeks. Be prepared for the worst if you cannot get your bird healed.

I love you, Willow. And I'm so, so sorry.

 

[ChickenChick46]

Sad update.

Willow was euthanized yesterday. She had a 6 week break from her condition, but it hadn't responded to vitamin treatment over the last 8 weeks.

Her brooder-mates were very tolerant of her up until point-of-lay. Willow became a target for birds looking to increase their standing, and what would normally be a pecking order dispute, turned into full-on bullying and chasing. They clearly did not want her in the flock.

We attempted to partition her next to the flock for safety, but Willow became so distressed over 3 days that she barely ate or drank. Her backing up became almost constant. She spent the days pacing the partition wall (even with the other birds right next to it) and nights crying until lights out. I did not believe she could handle a rehoming in this state, and a new flock would be unlikely to accept such a weak bird. In addition, I can't really say how uncomfortable these backing up episodes are for her. But to be so stressed that you're unable to eat, drink, move forward, evade bullies, etc...

She was dealt such an unfair hand. I'm absolutely gutted. So please let this be a caution to anyone that has a chick like Willow. Her friends may accept her while they're young, but that will almost certainly change after 12+ weeks. Be prepared for the worst if you cannot get your bird healed.

I love you, Willow. And I'm so, so sorry.

I'm so very sorry. You did everything you could for her, and for longer than many other people might have. You have her a comfortable life while she was here.

Rest in peace, Willow.

 

[TOMTE]

Oh, sweet Willow. I had a lot of hope for her. I'm so sorry, I can't imagine how absolutely heartbroken you are after doing so much for her. Fly high and free little Willow

 

[Altairsky]

I would definitely have adopted her if I wasn't on the opposite side of the planet.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I'm so very sorry. You did everything you could for her, and for longer than many other people might have. You have her a comfortable life while she was here.

Rest in peace, Willow.

Thank you so much. I'm trying to see the silver lining in that she got many weeks to just be a chicken and live happily with her friends.

Oh, sweet Willow. I had a lot of hope for her. I'm so sorry, I can't imagine how absolutely heartbroken you are after doing so much for her. Fly high and free little Willow

Thank you, TOMTE.

I would definitely have adopted her if I wasn't on the opposite side of the planet.

I did start to search for a home with another handicapped bird for companionship, but the fact that she wouldn't (and couldn't) eat or drink while confined next to her own flock-mates did not bode well for rehoming. I trust you after knowing you from BYC, but I wasn't going to let her potentially waste away with a stranger. People will tell you whatever you want to hear when they're looking to add another bird to their "collection".