Guinea Hen with diarrhea and soiled vent

[Grojo111]

Hi,
We have two Guinea Hens and for a couple of days one has been having watery poop and her vent feathers are badly soiled.
Her appetite is down, although it's a bit better today, and we cannot handle her to clean her up or check her physically to see if she might be egg bound, or have crop issues. I have not seen her straining in any way, but she does lay an egg infrequently, and hasn't in a few days. She also appeared to be poking her abdomen with her beak several times yesterday. I guess I am just hoping for any advice, as we don't have the option of taking her anywhere. I have added ACV to their water and probiotics as well. Also trying to feed easily digestible food like cooked peas and green beans, and apple. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I hate feeling helpless and don't want to lose her.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Her appetite is down, although it's a bit better today, and we cannot handle her to clean her up or check her physically to see if she might be egg bound, or have crop issues.

Welcome To BYC

Wait until she's roosting so you can get a hold of her and inspect her more closely. Go after dark, get her from the roost, swaddle her lightly in a towel capturing the wings, then you can control her, inspect and treat if necessary.

 

[Grojo111]

Welcome To BYC

Wait until she's roosting so you can get a hold of her and inspect her more closely. Go after dark, get her from the roost, swaddle her lightly in a towel capturing the wings, then you can control her, inspect and treat if necessary.

Thank you for the help. I can try, but usually when I go in they both fly down from the roost. I've also read that their legs can be broken if not handled carefully, but I sure would like to get a hold of her.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you for the help. I can try, but usually when I go in they both fly down from the roost. I've also read that their legs can be broken if not handled carefully, but I sure would like to get a hold of her.

Do you have a head lamp with a red light? This makes it easier to be able to see inside at night, but it doesn't disturb the birds as much as a bright white(ish) light.

If you don't pull or hold her by the legs, I think you should be fine. You're going to drape the towel or cloth across her back and around the wings to hold the wings closed so she can't flap about.

 

[Grojo111]

Welcome To BYC

Wait until she's roosting so you can get a hold of her and inspect her more closely. Go after dark, get her from the roost, swaddle her lightly in a towel capturing the wings, then you can control her, inspect and treat if necessary.

Do you have a head lamp with a red light? This makes it easier to be able to see inside at night, but it doesn't disturb the birds as much as a bright white(ish) light.

If you don't pull or hold her by the legs, I think you should be fine. You're going to drape the towel or cloth across her back and around the wings to hold the wings closed so she can't flap about.

We're going to try and grab her today, but she's pretty fast. The roost is 7' off the ground so I can't grab her at night. She's acting pretty normal except for the filthy vent and watery poop. I looked this morning but I just don't see signs of an impacted crop, and if she was egg bound I would think she'd be sicker by now. I think this poop change has been coming on for a couple weeks, but I don't know what else to give her besides ACV and probiotics in the water. And both birds will be getting whatever I give. I can't find any info on benefits of antibiotics, and probably couldn't get them here anyway without a prescription.

Thank you again for the suggestions.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We're going to try and grab her today, but she's pretty fast. The roost is 7' off the ground so I can't grab her at night. She's acting pretty normal except for the filthy vent and watery poop. I looked this morning but I just don't see signs of an impacted crop, and if she was egg bound I would think she'd be sicker by now. I think this poop change has been coming on for a couple weeks, but I don't know what else to give her besides ACV and probiotics in the water. And both birds will be getting whatever I give. I can't find any info on benefits of antibiotics, and probably couldn't get them here anyway without a prescription.

Thank you again for the suggestions.

LOL That is a high roost! I bet they like that.

I'd try probiotics to see if that helps. Antibiotics would be your last resort, you don't report her acting lethargic or not well, so I agree, I don't see a benefit.

If possible, take a sample of poop to a vet for a fecal float. See if she needs deworming. I'm not sure many people deworm their Guinea Fowl though. Let's ask @Sydney65

 

[Grojo111]

LOL That is a high roost! I bet they like that.

I'd try probiotics to see if that helps. Antibiotics would be your last resort, you don't report her acting lethargic or not well, so I agree, I don't see a benefit.

If possible, take a sample of poop to a vet for a fecal float. See if she needs deworming. I'm not sure many people deworm their Guinea Fowl though. Let's ask @Sydney65

Yeah, they do like that roost. They just flew into our yard 3 years ago, and one of our dogs grabbed one but she escaped. They kept hanging around and since all of our neighbors have dogs, and coyotes abound, we decided to build them an enclosure and keep them safe. They pretty much control my life now lol. The pen is 20' x8' and 12' high, and is more a commune than a pen. I emptied my 8x10 shed and connected that too, but they prefer outside. Squirrels, rabbits and birds all come in and help themselves to the feed. I know that's not ideal, but it's just too large to secure completely.

I really want to clean her vent, but so far I haven't been able to catch her.
I'd love to get a fecal test, but vets around here (San Diego County) won't test anything without seeing the hen, and medication is prescription. I am trying some natural stuff, like ACV but until I can see her vent I won't know what I'm dealing with.