FunClucks
Crowing
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
I had one chick (ISA Brown - "Ativan") that was shaking her head sideways when I brought her home from Rural King. Seemed like a tic, but she wouldn't do it very often. I think she's increased in frequency over the past few weeks. She was 2-3 wks old when I got her I think and is ~6-8 wks old now. Now, I have several other birds shaking their heads often. I suspect something is wrong, but have no idea what. I've seen them open their mouths and extend their necks without noise, but not often. All are eating, drinking, acting normal. Is this crop adjustment? Gapeworm? They haven't been outside yet. It's been in the 70-80s here outside, but I still use a heat lamp with them. I'll probably stop that next week.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
One chicken was shaking her head, now 3+ chickens are shaking their heads. Also the one who was doing it first seems to be shaking her head more often. There is occasional neck extension and mouth opening, but like I've caught them doing that twice. I spend ~1-2 hrs a day caring for them / observing them.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Since I brought them home, I know at least the ISA brown had symptoms. Now, ~2-3 wks later 3+ chicks are having symptoms.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
Yes
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.
Came from TSC and Rural King this way.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Eating and drinking normally. For the first 1.5-2 weeks I was feeding NatureWise Chick Starter Grower, 18% protein crumble, and then transitioned over a few days to Purina Dumor 20% chick starter/grower. They've been eating that for ~3 wks now. I have a 1/3 cup measuring scoop. I put 4 scoops food to 1 scoop chick grit into their feeder and mix it with a spoon to distribute the grit. I think they're all emptying their crops on the regular. For treat/hand training I feed soldier fly larvae or mealworms ~2x a day, only one larvae per chick per feeding. A week ago and today I gave them a small lettuce plant out of my garden and they ate that. They peck and eat random small bits of pine out of their bedding, which is why I started adding grit to their feed.
For water, generally I've been adding ~1/4 teaspoon apple cider vinegar to 4-5.5 cups fresh water with 1/4 scoop Durvet Probiotics daily for Poultry (per package instructions). They drink out of a sideways nipple waterer, I clean out shavings every other day. The water and food are set 2" above the floor of the brooder. However, for the past week I've been treating them with Corid for suspected coccidiosis. I did 4 days of the 2tsp/gallon, and have 4-11 days left to go at 1/2tsp/gallon. No ACV or any other additions to the water while I've been treating with Corid. They're all drinking - I watch the water level go down each day and I've seen each chick get water out of the waterer.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal I think. Had some issues with it looking like chocolate pudding, that doesn't seem to be changing with Corid treatment, so it must be normal. I check vents and butts every day or so, and all are clean on all the chickens.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Nothing. Not sure what to do, and until recently wasn't sure it was an issue.
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?
Treat myself if I can figure out what's going on and if I need to do anything. I thought this might clear up over time, but it's been a few weeks and it hasn't.
11) I don't have video at this time.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use.
Pine shavings (flake?) From Rural King. I change it out completely every other day, and put fresh down on top on the days I don't change it completely.
I had one chick (ISA Brown - "Ativan") that was shaking her head sideways when I brought her home from Rural King. Seemed like a tic, but she wouldn't do it very often. I think she's increased in frequency over the past few weeks. She was 2-3 wks old when I got her I think and is ~6-8 wks old now. Now, I have several other birds shaking their heads often. I suspect something is wrong, but have no idea what. I've seen them open their mouths and extend their necks without noise, but not often. All are eating, drinking, acting normal. Is this crop adjustment? Gapeworm? They haven't been outside yet. It's been in the 70-80s here outside, but I still use a heat lamp with them. I'll probably stop that next week.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
One chicken was shaking her head, now 3+ chickens are shaking their heads. Also the one who was doing it first seems to be shaking her head more often. There is occasional neck extension and mouth opening, but like I've caught them doing that twice. I spend ~1-2 hrs a day caring for them / observing them.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Since I brought them home, I know at least the ISA brown had symptoms. Now, ~2-3 wks later 3+ chicks are having symptoms.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
Yes
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.
Came from TSC and Rural King this way.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Eating and drinking normally. For the first 1.5-2 weeks I was feeding NatureWise Chick Starter Grower, 18% protein crumble, and then transitioned over a few days to Purina Dumor 20% chick starter/grower. They've been eating that for ~3 wks now. I have a 1/3 cup measuring scoop. I put 4 scoops food to 1 scoop chick grit into their feeder and mix it with a spoon to distribute the grit. I think they're all emptying their crops on the regular. For treat/hand training I feed soldier fly larvae or mealworms ~2x a day, only one larvae per chick per feeding. A week ago and today I gave them a small lettuce plant out of my garden and they ate that. They peck and eat random small bits of pine out of their bedding, which is why I started adding grit to their feed.
For water, generally I've been adding ~1/4 teaspoon apple cider vinegar to 4-5.5 cups fresh water with 1/4 scoop Durvet Probiotics daily for Poultry (per package instructions). They drink out of a sideways nipple waterer, I clean out shavings every other day. The water and food are set 2" above the floor of the brooder. However, for the past week I've been treating them with Corid for suspected coccidiosis. I did 4 days of the 2tsp/gallon, and have 4-11 days left to go at 1/2tsp/gallon. No ACV or any other additions to the water while I've been treating with Corid. They're all drinking - I watch the water level go down each day and I've seen each chick get water out of the waterer.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal I think. Had some issues with it looking like chocolate pudding, that doesn't seem to be changing with Corid treatment, so it must be normal. I check vents and butts every day or so, and all are clean on all the chickens.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Nothing. Not sure what to do, and until recently wasn't sure it was an issue.
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?
Treat myself if I can figure out what's going on and if I need to do anything. I thought this might clear up over time, but it's been a few weeks and it hasn't.
11) I don't have video at this time.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use.
Pine shavings (flake?) From Rural King. I change it out completely every other day, and put fresh down on top on the days I don't change it completely.
