Help! Should I be concerned!?!

[-Chanticleer-]

My 21 week old pullet just started doing this this morning. I’m not sure why or what to do she was acting kind of funny yesterday. Last night we had a huge storm come through also. Any advice is appreciated!

I’ve attached the video link.

 

[Kiki]

When was the last time you brought new birds home?
Have you ever had a respiratory disease in your flock?

Does her belly area feel bloated/big compared to other birds in your flock?

What exactly do you feed on a regularly basis? What feed and what treats and how much?

 

[-Chanticleer-]

No I’ve had all my birds for a while. I got her in Jan and my 11 week olds in April. They were chicks at the time and had their own brooder until they were around 8/9 weeks. She’s still on starter feed only my polish has laid one egg last Friday so I haven’t switched them. Treats meal worms, scrambled eggs and scratch feed. No she doesn’t feel bloated or like she is losing weight. No respiratory issues since I’ve had them. I clean their coop and run every Thursday.

 

[Kiki]

No I’ve had all my birds for a while. I got her in Jan and my 11 week olds in April. They were chicks at the time and had their own brooder until they were around 8/9 weeks. She’s still on starter feed only my polish has laid one egg last Friday so I haven’t switched them. Treats meal worms, scrambled eggs and scratch feed. No she doesn’t feel bloated or like she is losing weight. No respiratory issues since I’ve had them. I clean their coop and run every Thursday.

It's better to switch them to layer feed a few weeks before you get an egg but since most people don't know exactly when to expect an egg, they don't switch until they see an egg.
Switch them to layer feed now because they need the calcium.

She might have something respiratory going on.
The last stress the better. If a vet is an option, take her. If not just watch her from a distance.


Stop the daily treats immediately. Mealworms are high in fat.
Scratch for that matter is too and if they eat more than one tiny spoonful of treats per day then they're overfed treats which causes them to pack on fat on their organs. They become fat on the insides. That fat can cause them to have trouble breathing and laying and all kinds of other issues.

It's preventable by what you feed. Feeding treats takes away from the bird getting a balanced diet which causes issues too if they're not getting enough of the proper nutrition.

 

[-Chanticleer-]

It's better to switch them to layer feed a few weeks before you get an egg but since most people don't know exactly when to expect an egg, they don't switch until they see an egg.
Switch them to layer feed now because they need the calcium.

She might have something respiratory going on.
The last stress the better. If a vet is an option, take her. If not just watch her from a distance.


Stop the daily treats immediately. Mealworms are high in fat.
Scratch for that matter is too and if they eat more than one tiny spoonful of treats per day then they're overfed treats which causes them to pack on fat on their organs. They become fat on the insides. That fat can cause them to have trouble breathing and laying and all kinds of other issues.

It's preventable by what you feed. Feeding treats takes away from the bird getting a balanced diet which causes issues too if they're not getting enough of the proper nutrition.

Can DE be an irritant? I cleaned it all out of the coop because I heard it wasn’t so good to use. But they have a dust bath spot that they use and it’s mixed in that dirt. Also, thanks for letting me know about the treats I will cut them all out for a couple of weeks. Can I still give them eggs or should I stop that as well? Also, it’s been super hot here in the 100s I’m not sure if that could be a factor?

 

[Kiki]

Can DE be an irritant? I cleaned it all out of the coop because I heard it wasn’t so good to use. But they have a dust bath spot that they use and it’s mixed in that dirt. Also, thanks for letting me know about the treats I will cut them all out for a couple of weeks. Can I still give them eggs or should I stop that as well? Also, it’s been super hot here in the 100s I’m not sure if that could be a factor?

Stop all treats. If you must feed them a treat, feed them one tablespoon amount of whatever once a week but not daily.

I doubt that a little bit of DE mixed into a dirt bath is causing her to breathe like this but it is possible.

 

[-Chanticleer-]

Stop all treats. If you must feed them a treat, feed them one tablespoon amount of whatever once a week but not daily.

I doubt that a little bit of DE mixed into a dirt bath is causing her to breathe like this but it is possible.

No I’ll put the treats away I was just making sure about the eggs. I’ll dump more dirt on that spot just in case. I’ll keep and eye on her. If she gets worse I’ll take her in to a vet.

 

[Kiki]

No I’ll put the treats away I was just making sure about the eggs. I’ll dump more dirt on that spot just in case. I’ll keep and eye on her. If she gets worse I’ll take her in to a vet.

No, don't feed them eggs either. That is a treat too. An egg a day is way too much.

 

[-Chanticleer-]

No, don't feed them eggs either. That is a treat too. An egg a day is way too much.

Thank you for the info it’s really helpful.

 

[Kiki]

Think of it this way:

On average, a full grown hen should eat about 3/4 cup worth of feed per day. It has all their nutrition this bird needs. (Complete balanced diet)

If you are feeding an egg and a scratch and meal worms that amount to 1/2 cup worth your bird is not getting the proper nutrition. (Treats/junk food)


If given the option the birds are going to fill up on the treats first. Not giving them this option helps to keep their weight in check, which will prevent a lot of serious issues that are usually not fixable.