Sarah2020
Songster
- Dec 26, 2020
- 78
- 66
- 116
As a background, we had planned on getting chickens in February from a local hatchery but we were asked if we'd rehouse three chickens that needed a home and we agreed. The three chickens came to our place almost a week ago and they seem to have warmed up to me well and I already know quite a bit about their personalities. Sadly, one of them seems to be acting strange but maybe it's normal chicken behavior - I've never owned chickens so I have no idea.
1) What type of bird, age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
A 9-month-old Amerecauna hen. I'm not sure her weight, she's a bit smaller than the others but she doesn't look like she's lost weight since she came to us.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
She won't leave the coop to come out into the run. After she finally came out into the run she wouldn't come out to free-range with the rest of the flock. Instead she stands on both legs and seems to be napping (closing her eyes). Also, she's camped out right next to the water dish and won't move.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Two days
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No, the other two seem completely fine.
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 only thing I can think of is stress from being rehoused or not enough water. I had them with a 5-gallon nipple setup and while I've watched all of them use it, when they'd free range they'd all run to drink from puddles and other places where the water had gathered. So, today, I changed the nipples out for water cups instead.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Only water, layer feed, oyster shell, some scratch, a little bit of apple, and a little banana.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Her poop appears to be normal although we've got another one in the flock that has intermittently runny stool.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
I've placed her back in the coop for comfort so the others aren't crowding her, added more straw for warmth, I put a heat lamp out for a while which she seemed to enjoy (she nestled next to it and after about 10 minutes came out into the run).
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 until you can get to a vet?
I'm hoping to understand if this behavior is normal or if it's something I should be concerned about. And if so, I'd like to try to treat her myself.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
A mix of a thin layer of pellets and pine shavings with a thick layer of straw on top. There's shredded crinkle paper in the nest boxes.
1) What type of bird, age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
A 9-month-old Amerecauna hen. I'm not sure her weight, she's a bit smaller than the others but she doesn't look like she's lost weight since she came to us.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
She won't leave the coop to come out into the run. After she finally came out into the run she wouldn't come out to free-range with the rest of the flock. Instead she stands on both legs and seems to be napping (closing her eyes). Also, she's camped out right next to the water dish and won't move.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Two days
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No, the other two seem completely fine.
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 only thing I can think of is stress from being rehoused or not enough water. I had them with a 5-gallon nipple setup and while I've watched all of them use it, when they'd free range they'd all run to drink from puddles and other places where the water had gathered. So, today, I changed the nipples out for water cups instead.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Only water, layer feed, oyster shell, some scratch, a little bit of apple, and a little banana.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Her poop appears to be normal although we've got another one in the flock that has intermittently runny stool.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
I've placed her back in the coop for comfort so the others aren't crowding her, added more straw for warmth, I put a heat lamp out for a while which she seemed to enjoy (she nestled next to it and after about 10 minutes came out into the run).
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 until you can get to a vet?
I'm hoping to understand if this behavior is normal or if it's something I should be concerned about. And if so, I'd like to try to treat her myself.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
A mix of a thin layer of pellets and pine shavings with a thick layer of straw on top. There's shredded crinkle paper in the nest boxes.
