Hi all - this is a very special bird with a tightly bonded mate - would break my heart to lose him - feeling helpless - if you have any advice, much appreciated!
How do I find out what may be wrong with him? What would you do if he was one of yours?
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
>> Guinea Fowl, 5 years old, too thin
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
>> neck feathers fluffed even when others don't fluff theirs (not just due to cold weather), running with head low, losing weight
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
>> I just really noticed it today, but have suspected it for about 1-2 weeks
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
>> no, the other birds are fine, some may be too thin
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.
>> I don't know - we worm pretty aggressively and regularly with fenbendazole and ivermectin, and never get any worm eggs on fecal float exams, so I don't think it is worms
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
>> organic layer mix, organic pellets, dried meal worms, millet, water
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
>> not sure - will bring him in tonight and maybe see by morning
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
>> none
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?
>> any ideas welcome to get to the bottom of this - will take him to a vet Monday or Tuesday if I can get an appointment - but sometimes the forums tell me things the vet may miss (birds can have so many things) and I can bring it up there, if it makes sense
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
>> no wound, no nasal discharge, nothing obvious
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
>> coop with wood chips and hay at night, free range during the day
How do I find out what may be wrong with him? What would you do if he was one of yours?
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
>> Guinea Fowl, 5 years old, too thin
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
>> neck feathers fluffed even when others don't fluff theirs (not just due to cold weather), running with head low, losing weight
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
>> I just really noticed it today, but have suspected it for about 1-2 weeks
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
>> no, the other birds are fine, some may be too thin
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.
>> I don't know - we worm pretty aggressively and regularly with fenbendazole and ivermectin, and never get any worm eggs on fecal float exams, so I don't think it is worms
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
>> organic layer mix, organic pellets, dried meal worms, millet, water
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
>> not sure - will bring him in tonight and maybe see by morning
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
>> none
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?
>> any ideas welcome to get to the bottom of this - will take him to a vet Monday or Tuesday if I can get an appointment - but sometimes the forums tell me things the vet may miss (birds can have so many things) and I can bring it up there, if it makes sense
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
>> no wound, no nasal discharge, nothing obvious
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
>> coop with wood chips and hay at night, free range during the day