Help Right Now

[neuchicontheblock]

my duccle walked out of the coop for breakfast, lost balence and ran into the wall. Heis very lethargic, limp, mouth open, raspy breath, and i am giving him warm honey water just to get fluids in. what is going on?

 

[meriruka]

No idea what's wrong, but keeping him warm & hydrated is a good idea.
Hope he recovers.

 

[thechickenchick]

Oh I am so sorry. I don't know what it could be. I hope he is alright soon.

 

[easttxchick]

I really don't know what's wrong with him, but can you give us just a bit more info?

Was he OK yesterday? Any others sick or have you lost any birds lately? Is he eating? Are you having to force him to drink or is he drinking on his own? How old is he? Any wounds on him that you can see?

If you haven't already, I would bring him in and keep him warm(also to get him away from other birds in case he is contagious). If you have some electrolytes, try putting some in his water and maybe trying to get him to eat some scrambled egg or yogurt.

Good luck and hope someone can help you more.

 

[neuchicontheblock]

Sparkles was fine yesterday, no fighting, eating and drinking and socializing as usual. He is a relatively young roo, probably a year. He was rescued a few months ago by me. He's a cool dude...he was in a Boar's Head Festival last weekend and was the star.

No other illness. I have a hen in because her foot cracked and she is the underdog anyway.

I am dripping honey water in his mouth. Not eating right now. He's not as lethargic, and not breathing as heavy. I give him fluids, couple of teaspoons, every 10 minutes or if he rasps, I stop.

He is wrapped up (which is absolutely despises) and in the laundry basket in front of the wood stove. The dogs are upset. That's their place.

I don't see any blood, discharge, wounds, or strange smells, other than damp chicken.

Thank you

 

[easttxchick]

This is going to sound like a dumb question, but what is the Boar's Head Festival? I am asking because is it possible that he was exposed to a sick bird there?

Sounds like you are doing the right thing at this point. It sounds like it could be a respiratory illness(due to rasping and heavy breathing).

Does he have any discharge from his eyes or nose?

 

[neuchicontheblock]

Sorry-Boar's Head is a re-enactment of the Christmas Story in Mediaeval time. Full of carols and bagpipes and cool Nativity things. He was the only bird, since my DH and I bring all the animals, the llama, dog, chicken. So no one he didn't know. And he was in the spotlight for 10 minutes and in a crate otherwise.

No discharges anywhere, except poop, which is OK.

He is quiet, and rasps when I pour liquid in his moouth, about a teaspoon total every 10-15 minutes.

 

[easttxchick]

It does sound like some kind of respiratory thing(obviously).

Something you may want to do is go to the website of First State Vet supply-there is a number you can call on there for a man(not a vet) who knows a LOT about poultry and their illnesses. Not sure if he charges or anything, but it's worth a try.

If you have some electrolytes, you should put some in his water that you are giving him.

Gee I wish I could help you more.

 

[jjthink]

Best to administer liquid via a dropper dribbling very slowly along beak line (with rest breaks as often as necessary) so they can swallow on their own and not choke/have it go down the wrong way....
I sure hope the little guy will be okay.
JJ

 

[Keri78]

I may be way off base here so anyone can jump in and correct me. But I had a chick die early on from a respiratory thing and it seemed like a couple others were starting to follow suite. I immediately went to the Tractor Supply and picked up a bag of anitbiotics(it's made for all farm animals but gives the breakdown for poultry) I treated them all with it for 2 weeks and wahlah! Only lost the first one. After that I swear by that stuff($5 a bag-cheap!) I give it to all of my day old babies with their vitamins right from the start(if they are from a hatchery). Hope this helps! Blessings, Keri