- Apr 17, 2017
- 443
- 581
- 211
1) What type of bird, age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Ginny is a Speckled Sussex. I believe she is 3 years old (not completely positive on that). I don't know her weight, but she doesn't seem to be lighter than normal.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Ginny has not been herself lately. She has suddenly slowed down, shown less interest in maintaining her position in the top of the pecking order, and spends a lot of time sitting down. She also seems to breathe a little heavier than normal when she sits down. I'm most concerned that she sometimes goes to sit by herself, as opposed to hanging out with the rest of the flock. She also has a large, water-balloon-like abdomen, so she's not egg bound exactly, but may have another egg problem. She has gone into the nesting box a couple of times over the past few days but has not laid anything. She is NOT "straining", but all other signs point to a reproductive problem.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
3-4 days
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Nothing that I know of in terms out outside causes. I think she has an internal reproductive problem.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
She is still eating and drinking. I gave her some tuna with eggshells (for extra calcium) this morning and she ate all of it.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Her poop loos a little runny, but it's heating up (70-80 degrees daily) so that might be the culprit.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
I added some electrolytes to the drinking water and gave some extra calcium.
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 until you can get to a vet?
I self-treat my birds. If she is beyond my help or suffering unduly, we will cull her.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
The outside of her doesn't look different as far as I can tell. Vent, eyes, and face look normal. Abdomen is swollen.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Run is spacious. They sleep in a small house up off the ground at night, food and water are outdoors. Food is taken in at night to discourage rats, but rats have still been seen around recently. Not sure if that may have something to do with it? They free-range pretty much daily for about 30 minutes minimum, although these days it's been more like hours. Both the house and run are bedded with pine shavings, and we scatter fresh herbs weekly.
Ginny is a Speckled Sussex. I believe she is 3 years old (not completely positive on that). I don't know her weight, but she doesn't seem to be lighter than normal.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Ginny has not been herself lately. She has suddenly slowed down, shown less interest in maintaining her position in the top of the pecking order, and spends a lot of time sitting down. She also seems to breathe a little heavier than normal when she sits down. I'm most concerned that she sometimes goes to sit by herself, as opposed to hanging out with the rest of the flock. She also has a large, water-balloon-like abdomen, so she's not egg bound exactly, but may have another egg problem. She has gone into the nesting box a couple of times over the past few days but has not laid anything. She is NOT "straining", but all other signs point to a reproductive problem.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
3-4 days
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Nothing that I know of in terms out outside causes. I think she has an internal reproductive problem.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
She is still eating and drinking. I gave her some tuna with eggshells (for extra calcium) this morning and she ate all of it.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Her poop loos a little runny, but it's heating up (70-80 degrees daily) so that might be the culprit.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
I added some electrolytes to the drinking water and gave some extra calcium.
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 until you can get to a vet?
I self-treat my birds. If she is beyond my help or suffering unduly, we will cull her.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
The outside of her doesn't look different as far as I can tell. Vent, eyes, and face look normal. Abdomen is swollen.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Run is spacious. They sleep in a small house up off the ground at night, food and water are outdoors. Food is taken in at night to discourage rats, but rats have still been seen around recently. Not sure if that may have something to do with it? They free-range pretty much daily for about 30 minutes minimum, although these days it's been more like hours. Both the house and run are bedded with pine shavings, and we scatter fresh herbs weekly.
Last edited:
