As a preface, I have had this hen and her 5 flock mates (3 pullets, 2 cockerels) for only 3 1/2 weeks. So I don't know them very well yet. Before these, I have been poultry-less for 11 plus years. The previous flock I raised from chicks (TSC) never had any illness, so I have no experience in that regard. Some of this may be very normal, perhaps molt... and I am just unaware, please educate me...
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
My pullet, Penny, is a Black Copper Marans, I don't know her age, just that she is supposed to be from sometime last year late summer or fall. Haven't had any eggs yet since bringing them home, though some (there were more that we didn't get) were starting to lay at the original home. She seems thin to me, not meaty in the breast like I would expect a dual purpose breed to be.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
When she breathes, it sounds like wheezing (I picture asthma sounds). Her breathing is heavy, as in i can see her body rise and fall. She doesn't gape, her beak is slightly open sometimes, and wider when I have to catch her and she gets excited. She rests slightly more than the others do and moves around more slowly than them. Her posture seems a little hunched, but it might only look that way because her tail isn't up, it is drooping down. She eats and drinks. Her eyes are clear and I see no nasal discharge either. Comb and wattles are nice and red.
The skin and feathers, I don't know if it is related, but her feathers seem to be broken all along the breast bone underneath her, also the skin here is very wrinkled I wondered if it was dehydration? It seems to be peeling in sort of dry, almost scabby (but not exactly) areas. Also the skin is becoming reddened on her tummy. I say becoming, because I noticed today, when I hadn't before. Along the sides of her bare tummy the feathers appear broken off short. When I handle her for her shot etc. she seems to loose feathers pretty easy, always a few that float off (body feathers, not wing)
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
She has had this going on for almost the whole time since we got her, perhaps 2 1/2 - 3 weeks. Weather didn't allow being outside much with them when we first got them.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
None of the other birds are visibly showing any symptoms.
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.
The stress of being moved from her original home to our home.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
She has been eating Layena, I also added some Calf Manna, and just this week started adding some Gamebird feed for the higher protein, as I learned that this breed requires a higher protein (that is also why I added the Calf Manna)
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Yellowish/orangy, somewhat foamy sometimes, not watery, but not solid like a typical poultry poop. One link I found from here showed different poos, and the closest thing to hers was listed under the normal category.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
From reading here I have started Tylan 50 - 0.5ml (cc) injected subcutaneously, alternating locations breast on either side, and back of neck/between wings. The first day she only got one dose (about 6 pm) because I bought it late in the day. The second day also only one dose (around 8:30 am) because I had a meeting in the evening that lasted well past dark. Third day two doses, (8:30 am & 5:30 pm), and today two doses (8:30 am & 5:30 pm). Plan has been to continue for 5 days.
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?
I'm treating her myself.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
Penny's Comb, Eye & Wattles this afternoon.
Close up of her tummy, bone runs down the center of the bare patch.
A little more distant shot of her tummy.
yeah, poo...
probably unrelated bare patch on back. Left side half way between her tail and neck. I figured it might be from the cockerels in her flock? It is old, the feathers are growing back, peeking out of the feather shaft about 1 1/2 inches maybe.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
They are in a tractor coop, until we get the big coop built, with free range in the day though they don't go far. The bedding is pine shavings from TSC, as you can see in the above pic.
I am happy to give any further information I can. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Lisa
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
My pullet, Penny, is a Black Copper Marans, I don't know her age, just that she is supposed to be from sometime last year late summer or fall. Haven't had any eggs yet since bringing them home, though some (there were more that we didn't get) were starting to lay at the original home. She seems thin to me, not meaty in the breast like I would expect a dual purpose breed to be.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
When she breathes, it sounds like wheezing (I picture asthma sounds). Her breathing is heavy, as in i can see her body rise and fall. She doesn't gape, her beak is slightly open sometimes, and wider when I have to catch her and she gets excited. She rests slightly more than the others do and moves around more slowly than them. Her posture seems a little hunched, but it might only look that way because her tail isn't up, it is drooping down. She eats and drinks. Her eyes are clear and I see no nasal discharge either. Comb and wattles are nice and red.
The skin and feathers, I don't know if it is related, but her feathers seem to be broken all along the breast bone underneath her, also the skin here is very wrinkled I wondered if it was dehydration? It seems to be peeling in sort of dry, almost scabby (but not exactly) areas. Also the skin is becoming reddened on her tummy. I say becoming, because I noticed today, when I hadn't before. Along the sides of her bare tummy the feathers appear broken off short. When I handle her for her shot etc. she seems to loose feathers pretty easy, always a few that float off (body feathers, not wing)
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
She has had this going on for almost the whole time since we got her, perhaps 2 1/2 - 3 weeks. Weather didn't allow being outside much with them when we first got them.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
None of the other birds are visibly showing any symptoms.
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.
The stress of being moved from her original home to our home.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
She has been eating Layena, I also added some Calf Manna, and just this week started adding some Gamebird feed for the higher protein, as I learned that this breed requires a higher protein (that is also why I added the Calf Manna)
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Yellowish/orangy, somewhat foamy sometimes, not watery, but not solid like a typical poultry poop. One link I found from here showed different poos, and the closest thing to hers was listed under the normal category.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
From reading here I have started Tylan 50 - 0.5ml (cc) injected subcutaneously, alternating locations breast on either side, and back of neck/between wings. The first day she only got one dose (about 6 pm) because I bought it late in the day. The second day also only one dose (around 8:30 am) because I had a meeting in the evening that lasted well past dark. Third day two doses, (8:30 am & 5:30 pm), and today two doses (8:30 am & 5:30 pm). Plan has been to continue for 5 days.
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?
I'm treating her myself.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
Penny's Comb, Eye & Wattles this afternoon.
Close up of her tummy, bone runs down the center of the bare patch.
A little more distant shot of her tummy.
yeah, poo...
probably unrelated bare patch on back. Left side half way between her tail and neck. I figured it might be from the cockerels in her flock? It is old, the feathers are growing back, peeking out of the feather shaft about 1 1/2 inches maybe.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
They are in a tractor coop, until we get the big coop built, with free range in the day though they don't go far. The bedding is pine shavings from TSC, as you can see in the above pic.
I am happy to give any further information I can. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Lisa
