Crankkt
Chirping
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
9 week old chick lavender orpingtong. Purchased at 2 weeks old with 5 other chicks (2 other orpingtons). He has not grown or feathered out as the other 2 and appears to be physically lagging behind the others.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
This chick would always be eating. The other would be exploring and pecking at the food but this particular chick would constantly be eating if he wasn't sleeping or drinking. He would scratch and circle the feeder between pecks at the food. It appeared that he had to spend more time to get a mouthful of food compared to the other chicks. Approximately 3 weeks ago, he was found laying on his side, very cold and listless. He was brought inside, placed in a box with a heat lamp and had a few days that were touch and go. He eventually began eating and drinking but still continues to spend a considerable amount of time at the food dish. Since being inside he has fallen and has great difficulty getting back up. He kicks his legs but because he is on his side, they only graze the ground. He was in a box only a foot high and while he could poke his head over the top, it was 2 weeks before he tried to jump out. When jumping I noticed that his wings flutter but do not open. I have gently tried to open his wings but there is resistance, not from the chick resisting but it feels as though the muscles will not stretch very far. When he stretches his leg back, he doesn't stretch his wing like the other do. He appears to walk fine in between his bouts of falling to his side and struggling to get up.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Increased appetite - since arrival at 2 weeks
Delayed growth - noticeable at 4 weeks
Found on side in brooder - 5.5 weeks
He has been inside for 3 weeks (first in a box and now in a dog kennel (3x4 feet). He has not tried to fly out of the box and can't walk out of the inch lip of the dog kennel without falling over.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No signs of trauma.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Chick was purchased from a backyard breeder and was likely unvaccinated.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Starter and water.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Poop appears normal.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
He is inside the house. Heat lamp was applied for 1 week but has since been at room temp (21c).
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I have offered what assistance I can to my chick. There has been no improvement since the initial few days of being in the house. He has been separated from his "siblings" for a considerable time and now appears to be several weeks younger (but is from the same hatching). I am looking for any information as to the cause of his illness. His eventual fate is likely to be culled but I would like to know what is wrong and to make him comfortable. He eats, drinks and appears at first glance to be healthy but upon observation or comparison you can see the differences. He has a warm place in the house for as long as he needs or until his rooster antics begin lol.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
No wound or trauma
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
He was in a 4x4 brooder with 5 other chicks for 3 weeks and inside approximately another 3 in a dog kennel. Pine shavings are used for substrate
9 week old chick lavender orpingtong. Purchased at 2 weeks old with 5 other chicks (2 other orpingtons). He has not grown or feathered out as the other 2 and appears to be physically lagging behind the others.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
This chick would always be eating. The other would be exploring and pecking at the food but this particular chick would constantly be eating if he wasn't sleeping or drinking. He would scratch and circle the feeder between pecks at the food. It appeared that he had to spend more time to get a mouthful of food compared to the other chicks. Approximately 3 weeks ago, he was found laying on his side, very cold and listless. He was brought inside, placed in a box with a heat lamp and had a few days that were touch and go. He eventually began eating and drinking but still continues to spend a considerable amount of time at the food dish. Since being inside he has fallen and has great difficulty getting back up. He kicks his legs but because he is on his side, they only graze the ground. He was in a box only a foot high and while he could poke his head over the top, it was 2 weeks before he tried to jump out. When jumping I noticed that his wings flutter but do not open. I have gently tried to open his wings but there is resistance, not from the chick resisting but it feels as though the muscles will not stretch very far. When he stretches his leg back, he doesn't stretch his wing like the other do. He appears to walk fine in between his bouts of falling to his side and struggling to get up.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Increased appetite - since arrival at 2 weeks
Delayed growth - noticeable at 4 weeks
Found on side in brooder - 5.5 weeks
He has been inside for 3 weeks (first in a box and now in a dog kennel (3x4 feet). He has not tried to fly out of the box and can't walk out of the inch lip of the dog kennel without falling over.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No signs of trauma.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Chick was purchased from a backyard breeder and was likely unvaccinated.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Starter and water.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Poop appears normal.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
He is inside the house. Heat lamp was applied for 1 week but has since been at room temp (21c).
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I have offered what assistance I can to my chick. There has been no improvement since the initial few days of being in the house. He has been separated from his "siblings" for a considerable time and now appears to be several weeks younger (but is from the same hatching). I am looking for any information as to the cause of his illness. His eventual fate is likely to be culled but I would like to know what is wrong and to make him comfortable. He eats, drinks and appears at first glance to be healthy but upon observation or comparison you can see the differences. He has a warm place in the house for as long as he needs or until his rooster antics begin lol.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
No wound or trauma
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
He was in a 4x4 brooder with 5 other chicks for 3 weeks and inside approximately another 3 in a dog kennel. Pine shavings are used for substrate
