Last year I purchased 4 true Ameraucana hens from a reputable breeder. They were shipped to me as pullets, not chicks. Since then, 3 have died and now, my 4th is sick. I have had many of my chickens die, so it may have nothing to do with these 4, but I haven't gotten any of the blue eggs I so wanted yet, and I don't know what is wrong with her. Right now, considering how much I paid for the original 4, this final surviving hen is worth over $100 to me. I just feel like crying
. Please help me figure this out, if you can.
1) What type of bird , age and weight.
Blue Ameraucana Hen, approx. 9 months old, approx. 3 lbs.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Sitting fluffed up, tail down, doesn't run when I approach, let's me pick her up, listing to left side, seems slightly off balance, head is down and eyes are closed (I think; hard to tell with her muff)
3) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No trauma that I can see, I examined her carefully.
4) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Have no idea what could have happened. See was running around nomally this morning, then this afternoon, she is like this.
5) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Not eating or drinking. Normally drinks water with 1 Tab ACV, and eats Layena pellets, free choice oyster shell, free ranges
6) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Very runny and clear like water with small streaks of yellow in it; no solid parts at all
7) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Brought her in and isolated her in a cage, gave her water with 3 Tab ACV and electrolyes, vitamins, which see hasn't drank; gave her scrambled eggs with yogurt, which she hasn't touched or shown any interest in; started treatment for Marek's (she was supposed to be vaccinated); gave penicillin IM
8 ) 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 want to treat her completely myself. I will not take her to a vet.
9) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
I don't have a camera right now, but could get one possibly.
10) Describe the housing/bedding in use.
She normally sleeps in the hen house with my other hens and one rooster. I use hard wood shavings for bedding, straw in the nest boxes. Run has layer of wood shavings, which is mostly decomposed at this time (we are getting ready to shovel out a replace).
I have medication to treat just about anything, but I don't know how many medicines you can put in the same water at the same time, and I don't want to overtax her system. She does not seem thin at all. I can feel her breastbone, but it is not at all prominent.
Any suggestions at all would be helpful. Thanks.
1) What type of bird , age and weight.
Blue Ameraucana Hen, approx. 9 months old, approx. 3 lbs.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Sitting fluffed up, tail down, doesn't run when I approach, let's me pick her up, listing to left side, seems slightly off balance, head is down and eyes are closed (I think; hard to tell with her muff)
3) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No trauma that I can see, I examined her carefully.
4) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Have no idea what could have happened. See was running around nomally this morning, then this afternoon, she is like this.
5) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Not eating or drinking. Normally drinks water with 1 Tab ACV, and eats Layena pellets, free choice oyster shell, free ranges
6) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Very runny and clear like water with small streaks of yellow in it; no solid parts at all
7) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Brought her in and isolated her in a cage, gave her water with 3 Tab ACV and electrolyes, vitamins, which see hasn't drank; gave her scrambled eggs with yogurt, which she hasn't touched or shown any interest in; started treatment for Marek's (she was supposed to be vaccinated); gave penicillin IM
8 ) 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 want to treat her completely myself. I will not take her to a vet.
9) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
I don't have a camera right now, but could get one possibly.
10) Describe the housing/bedding in use.
She normally sleeps in the hen house with my other hens and one rooster. I use hard wood shavings for bedding, straw in the nest boxes. Run has layer of wood shavings, which is mostly decomposed at this time (we are getting ready to shovel out a replace).
I have medication to treat just about anything, but I don't know how many medicines you can put in the same water at the same time, and I don't want to overtax her system. She does not seem thin at all. I can feel her breastbone, but it is not at all prominent.
Any suggestions at all would be helpful. Thanks.
