Crazy itchy chick

[MarySue]

I had Snow euthanized yesterday.

 

[ShannonR]

So sorry for your loss!!

 

[Kale Chips]

I'm really sorry for your loss It was for the best, and it sounds like she was loved right to the end. I am so glad you got to spend a couple extra days loving on her

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry that it came to that, but at least the poor thing is not suffering. You did what was best for her.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Not to be insensitive, have you considered a necropsy? It's so mind boggling not knowing the cause of her itch. You did all you could

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I had Snow euthanized yesterday.

Sorry you and her went through this.

FWIW.. I also think you made the right decision AFTER doing ALL that you possibly could.

I do wish to note I have seen this in TWO birds out of a couple hundred... one that incubator hatched from my own stock and one hatchery chick... in BOTH it started within days of being hatched... no Marek's, parasites, or other exposure. I agree that it looks somewhat neurological BUT is clearly focused scratching. In both cases.. I thought itchy pin feathers. One is still living at a home where they unfortunately won't cull (or let me)... and now I just hope it isn't something that breeds forward. IF I ever see it again... I WILL cull immediately.. now that I believe it isn't something that will pass with time. While I know my nutrition and other factors are good.. I also know that some birds simply don't process or absorb things the same. In nature, I believe these would be the first plucked off by predators... but in our protection their isn't much true survival of the fittest. For me personally... it's also about protecting the rest of my flock.

So far.. all the research I have done hasn't turned up an answer for others who have faced this. Since I'm not worried about it being disease.. I probably won't get a necropsy... BUT it sure would be nice to have some information on this random but rarely seen condition.

Thank you for sharing with us.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I had Snow euthanized yesterday.

I'm so sorry to hear about Snow.
You did everything you could think of to help her, including seeking vet care.

Are you going to investigate this further or let her rest in peace?

 

[dawg53]

MarySue, have comfort knowing you did your best. There wasnt anything else you couldve done.

 

[MarySue]

Thank you everyone!
I decided not to do a necropsy. I honestly believe that multiple factors came together and snowballed into a condition that we couldn’t stop. When it first started she was going through her juvenile molt. Feather dander everywhere! But I thought neurological at that time and didn’t treat the skin. I had had sinus surgery the day before so I was sleeping in my chair and I just held her and tried to keep her safe. When I found out it was itch I began to treat the skin as well but it didn’t dawn on me she was dehydrating herself as well. She spent so much time scratching she wasn’t eating or drinking properly. I made sure she got some nourishment but it wasn’t enough and definitely not enough water to keep her skin hydrated. The 2nd to last bath I gave her I really inspected the skin all over her body and I noticed feathers under the skin. It appeared they were having a difficult time breaking through. I think too many things came together at once and I didn’t have enough knowledge or understanding to put it all together in time. If I ever encounter something like this again hopefully I will do better for them.
* on another note my flock is being treated for depluming mites because of this thread and I thank you for that.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you everyone!
I decided not to do a necropsy. I honestly believe that multiple factors came together and snowballed into a condition that we couldn’t stop. When it first started she was going through her juvenile molt. Feather dander everywhere! But I thought neurological at that time and didn’t treat the skin. I had had sinus surgery the day before so I was sleeping in my chair and I just held her and tried to keep her safe. When I found out it was itch I began to treat the skin as well but it didn’t dawn on me she was dehydrating herself as well. She spent so much time scratching she wasn’t eating or drinking properly. I made sure she got some nourishment but it wasn’t enough and definitely not enough water to keep her skin hydrated. The 2nd to last bath I gave her I really inspected the skin all over her body and I noticed feathers under the skin. It appeared they were having a difficult time breaking through. I think too many things came together at once and I didn’t have enough knowledge or understanding to put it all together in time. If I ever encounter something like this again hopefully I will do better for them.
* on another note my flock is being treated for depluming mites because of this thread and I thank you for that.