- Apr 29, 2024
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I’m trying to figure out what’s going on with my hen Vanilla…
1) What type of bird, age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
6-7 yr old white Jersey Giant. Used to be fairly hefty, now fits the ‘emaciated’ category on this chart:
I don’t know how fast it happened since I haven’t been home.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Vanilla has always been solitary; she always seemed to prefer to stand or sit under tree cover by herself, even when apparently healthy. This, combined with the fact that I’m gone for long periods at school, made me slow to notice that she was acting lethargic. Now she often has a hunched up, tail down posture. Her voice has gotten fainter, sometimes she stumbles/seems unsteady, and she is less strong/coordinated when pecking upstart subjects who steal her food. However, she still wants to walk around outside and forage.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
When I was home on break in November, I noticed that her rear fluff was a little dirty (white urates mostly), which was unusual for her, and she’s seemed to weaken over the time I’ve been home for Christmas.
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.
Old age, cold weather?
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Eats the turkey grower pellets (closest we can get to all-flock for mixed ages). Eats raw egg with somewhat more persistence than the pellets. Seems eager to come outside when it’s not frigid and eat snow. Also eats snow off my boots when I come in the coop. We have a heated nipple waterer that they all know how to use.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Dark green, shiny. Vent feathers are soiled green.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Woefully inadequate.
I offered her a raw egg mixed with pellets several times. She ate it slowly. I gave her a cursory mite examination; nothing. Her crop felt small and squishy when she was roosting for the night.
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?
Vet is sadly not an option. I am leaving for school tomorrow; my mom and brother care for the birds when I’m gone. They are willing to treat Vanilla if there’s anything to be done.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Coop is 50 square feet for 7 hens. Pine shavings for bedding, and a large tub of sand for dustbathing. The poor birds don’t come outside much in winter on account of the
snow.
Editing to add: she is top of the pecking order, and the others still seem to respect that, though they are a little more audacious when stealing food since she’s slowed down.
Thank you for reading.
1) What type of bird, age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
6-7 yr old white Jersey Giant. Used to be fairly hefty, now fits the ‘emaciated’ category on this chart:
I don’t know how fast it happened since I haven’t been home.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Vanilla has always been solitary; she always seemed to prefer to stand or sit under tree cover by herself, even when apparently healthy. This, combined with the fact that I’m gone for long periods at school, made me slow to notice that she was acting lethargic. Now she often has a hunched up, tail down posture. Her voice has gotten fainter, sometimes she stumbles/seems unsteady, and she is less strong/coordinated when pecking upstart subjects who steal her food. However, she still wants to walk around outside and forage.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
When I was home on break in November, I noticed that her rear fluff was a little dirty (white urates mostly), which was unusual for her, and she’s seemed to weaken over the time I’ve been home for Christmas.
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.
Old age, cold weather?
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Eats the turkey grower pellets (closest we can get to all-flock for mixed ages). Eats raw egg with somewhat more persistence than the pellets. Seems eager to come outside when it’s not frigid and eat snow. Also eats snow off my boots when I come in the coop. We have a heated nipple waterer that they all know how to use.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Dark green, shiny. Vent feathers are soiled green.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Woefully inadequate.
I offered her a raw egg mixed with pellets several times. She ate it slowly. I gave her a cursory mite examination; nothing. Her crop felt small and squishy when she was roosting for the night.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?
Vet is sadly not an option. I am leaving for school tomorrow; my mom and brother care for the birds when I’m gone. They are willing to treat Vanilla if there’s anything to be done.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Coop is 50 square feet for 7 hens. Pine shavings for bedding, and a large tub of sand for dustbathing. The poor birds don’t come outside much in winter on account of the
snow.
Editing to add: she is top of the pecking order, and the others still seem to respect that, though they are a little more audacious when stealing food since she’s slowed down.
Thank you for reading.
