Is this wet feather or some other issue?

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

My pekin, scuba, is about a year old, she has had leg issues and is slow but nothing specific at the moment, except she has been looking very dirty, not seeming to take advantage of a bath on warm days. I have a 55 gallon water trough with a big wide ramp and enough of a heater in it so it doesn’t freeze above 10 degrees (250w) this morning it was warm somi acooped her up and plopped her in. She seemed to enjoy herself and bobbed her head a few times underneath, I went about my morning routine so i am not sure how long she was in there but a bit. After 15 minutes-1/2 hr went by I went to check on her and found she looked a bit damp underneath. She still looks dirty even though the others look clean and her vent is filthy. What could be going on here and what should I look for?

 

[KaleIAm]

Does she have diarrhea?

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

Does she have diarrhea?

As opposed to? i mean they are like tiny hippos anyway but I haven’t noticed it being irregular, however I haven’t followed her around to check either.

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

she is generally grungy, I wonder if she isn't preening or if she isn't able to. the other 7 look really good considering their snow turned to about 50% mud in one day.

 

[KaleIAm]

As opposed to? i mean they are like tiny hippos anyway but I haven’t noticed it being irregular, however I haven’t followed her around to check either.

Lol. I know their frequency can be a bit intense. Personally I have only seen "dirty" vents in birds who have diarrhea, and this can indicate illness. For my flock diarrhea has meant internal parasites or ascites. I would follow her around to check her poop out.

Her feathers don't look that bad, to me. But if she's not waterproof increased bathing can help encourage her to preen. Have you checked out her preen gland? Also, when I took my ducks in to the vet for feather quality issues they asked what I fed her, so I'm assuming food can affect this problem as well.

 

[Isaac 0]

not seeming to take advantage of a bath on warm days

leg issues and is slow

very dirty,

not seeming to take advantage of a bath on warm days

A combination of moving around less, and being reluctant to bathe will create soiling around the vent area. Many of these birds will defecate sitting down, and the feces remain in contact with the feathers until they move.

To be precautious, you could follow her around and wait till she produces droppings, and note whether they seem abnormal compared to the other birds. Internal parasites, reproductive issues can create watery, sticky droppings that absorb into the surrounding feathers. A fecal flotation done by a veterinarian technician would help confirm whether the former case is a problem; the latter can occasionally be checked via abdominal palpation.

If her droppings appear normal, I suggest attempting to increase her time spent on water and try to keep her on dry grounds afterward.

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

A combination of moving around less, and being reluctant to bathe will create soiling around the vent area. Many of these birds will defecate sitting down, and the feces remain in contact with the feathers until they move.

To be precautious, you could follow her around and wait till she produces droppings, and note whether they seem abnormal compared to the other birds. Internal parasites, reproductive issues can create watery, sticky droppings that absorb into the surrounding feathers. A fecal flotation done by a veterinarian technician would help confirm whether the former case is a problem; the latter can occasionally be checked via abdominal palpation.

If her droppings appear normal, I suggest attempting to increase her time spent on water and try to keep her on dry grounds afterward.

I dug the ice block out if their other pool, so ill fill it fresh and encourage a bath again today, should i worm everyone as a precaution, if so is thwre. Certain brand i can use and can it be given over treats?

 

[Isaac 0]

I dug the ice block out if their other pool, so ill fill it fresh and encourage a bath again today, should i worm everyone as a precaution, if so is thwre. Certain brand i can use and can it be given over treats?

Worming isn't necessary if the birds don't have worms, and to do worming with presumption could lead to wormer resistance problems. A better choice, might to be having a fecal flotation done; if you don't want to go to a vet, there are online companies such as this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Reptiles-Rab...ds=fecal+float+kit+dogs&qid=1615466015&sr=8-3

Fecal floats are inexpensive and easy to do. Here is a video of mine, showing a Capillaria egg during a fecal float taken from a Duck.

SafeGuard Liquid Goat Dewormer (fenbendazole), and ( albendazole) Valbazen Drench Wormer are two of the best on the market, as far as efficacy, and broadness in the worms they treat. The dose for SafeGuard is 0.23ml per pound, orally, for five days. Dosage for Valbazen is 0.08ml once, orally, then again in ten days.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/merck-animal-health-safe-guard-dewormer-for-goats-125ml
https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail...QCrmmXpeBUpqjcihO4VTOzarXZqdK2koaAt2IEALw_wcB

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

Worming isn't necessary if the birds don't have worms, and to do worming with presumption could lead to wormer resistance problems. A better choice, might to be having a fecal flotation done; if you don't want to go to a vet, there are online companies such as this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Reptiles-Rab...ds=fecal+float+kit+dogs&qid=1615466015&sr=8-3

Fecal floats are inexpensive and easy to do. Here is a video of mine, showing a Capillaria egg during a fecal float taken from a Duck.

SafeGuard Liquid Goat Dewormer (fenbendazole), and ( albendazole) Valbazen Drench Wormer are two of the best on the market, as far as efficacy, and broadness in the worms they treat. The dose for SafeGuard is 0.23ml per pound, orally, for five days. Dosage for Valbazen is 0.08ml once, orally, then again in ten days.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/merck-animal-health-safe-guard-dewormer-for-goats-125ml
https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail...QCrmmXpeBUpqjcihO4VTOzarXZqdK2koaAt2IEALw_wcB

I don’t mind having sample tested , I just have to find it and call my vet to see if she is willing, had a heck of a time finding a vet willing to do my “box duck” when her leg was broken

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

i put her in the little pool today, she had herself a terrific bath splashing and flapping and preening about in her tail feathers. She looked much better. I was unable to obtain a sample but I will try again tonight.