- May 30, 2010
- 3
- 0
- 7
I had hoped my first post would be about the first time my babies laid eggs, alas, I couldn't log in back then...
It's been very cold here recently, below zero at night with some days not hitting the teens. So far, all of the girls have been doing fine. This morning, however, Benny, one of my BOs, stayed tucked in a corner of the coop when the others finally got to go outside after a day of being cooped up. She was still there a bit later, so I took her inside to warm her up. Inside, I felt her crop and it felt completely empty. She does have some brown poo stuck on her butt feathers - but she and the other BO always have that going on. I put her back in the coop, where she continued to lay around, her feathers very puffy. A bit later I did see her drinking, but I haven't seen her poo all day. We have five hens and I pulled out five eggs today, so I'm hesitant to think she's eggbound.
As for the checklist:
1) What type of bird , age and weight.
- Buff Orpington, about 8 months. Weight? A bit lighter than the other hens, but she's always been the runt (and so was the first to lay!)
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
- Lethargy, not interested in food. She'll eat a little bit but not much. Her comb has gotten paler today (I think) - she has been exhibiting signs of mild frostbite lately, just pale tips, not black. Most of the day she just laid - or stood - around with her feathers puffed out.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
- just since this morning.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
- Every one else is running about and doing what chickens do.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
- None that I could find. I did clean off some of the poo stuck on her butt feathers and the vent area looked okay.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
- It's been really cold lately. Other than that, I wonder if she ate something she shouldn't have. They have free range throughout the yard whenever they're out.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
- Layer pellets, water, oyster shells/calcium grit, random veggie scraps, and lots of dirt. She did eat a few bits of boiled egg today.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
- Haven't seen it recently.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
- I gave her some Bene-Bac probiotics, which she lapped right up. Now, she's in a "hotel" in the living room to keep her warm, with ACV in her water and some boiled egg ready for eating. Later I'll make some rice for her as well.
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 til you can get to a vet?
- I'd like to just help her get better without going to a vet.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
- n/a
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
- They live in a cob chicken coop with a wooden floor. Most of the time they have aspen shaving bedding, but recently a bit of straw has gone in there. I've left a heat lamp on the last several days.
I've been through many posts and see situations somewhat similar but I would be grateful for any insight anyone may have.
Thanks!
It's been very cold here recently, below zero at night with some days not hitting the teens. So far, all of the girls have been doing fine. This morning, however, Benny, one of my BOs, stayed tucked in a corner of the coop when the others finally got to go outside after a day of being cooped up. She was still there a bit later, so I took her inside to warm her up. Inside, I felt her crop and it felt completely empty. She does have some brown poo stuck on her butt feathers - but she and the other BO always have that going on. I put her back in the coop, where she continued to lay around, her feathers very puffy. A bit later I did see her drinking, but I haven't seen her poo all day. We have five hens and I pulled out five eggs today, so I'm hesitant to think she's eggbound.
As for the checklist:
1) What type of bird , age and weight.
- Buff Orpington, about 8 months. Weight? A bit lighter than the other hens, but she's always been the runt (and so was the first to lay!)
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
- Lethargy, not interested in food. She'll eat a little bit but not much. Her comb has gotten paler today (I think) - she has been exhibiting signs of mild frostbite lately, just pale tips, not black. Most of the day she just laid - or stood - around with her feathers puffed out.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
- just since this morning.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
- Every one else is running about and doing what chickens do.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
- None that I could find. I did clean off some of the poo stuck on her butt feathers and the vent area looked okay.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
- It's been really cold lately. Other than that, I wonder if she ate something she shouldn't have. They have free range throughout the yard whenever they're out.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
- Layer pellets, water, oyster shells/calcium grit, random veggie scraps, and lots of dirt. She did eat a few bits of boiled egg today.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
- Haven't seen it recently.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
- I gave her some Bene-Bac probiotics, which she lapped right up. Now, she's in a "hotel" in the living room to keep her warm, with ACV in her water and some boiled egg ready for eating. Later I'll make some rice for her as well.
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 til you can get to a vet?
- I'd like to just help her get better without going to a vet.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
- n/a
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
- They live in a cob chicken coop with a wooden floor. Most of the time they have aspen shaving bedding, but recently a bit of straw has gone in there. I've left a heat lamp on the last several days.
I've been through many posts and see situations somewhat similar but I would be grateful for any insight anyone may have.
Thanks!
Last edited:
