1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
She's a Lohmann Brown, approx 29 weeks old.. not sure of weight, seems to be fine weightwise.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Appears to be quite listless and sleepy. This morning she was sat on a perch in the run shaking her head vigorously and hunched up. When I let them out to free range she seemed ok, but when I checked up on her she had found a shady spot and was just laying there most of the time. I decided to call them all back into the coop after a few hours and she came along willingly but slowly. Once in the coop she wasn't interested in the little bit of yoghurt I'd taken up for them, and she went off into the run extension and lay down again, falling asleep. I have 6 girls and only 4 eggs today, usually they lay every day. She IS drinking, just haven't noticed her eat much but she did peck a little around the garden.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
I noticed she didn't seem herself a couple of days ago, I was concerned because when out free ranging she appeared to be doing some kind of contracting at the vent and some clear liquid came out. As I had an egg that day and the next day I thought that it was just the heat, we had an awful spell of very hot weather. Today she seems a lot quieter and is the first time I've seen her hunched.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No the other birds are as happy as ever, eating and drinking and running around.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
I noticed yesterday that some feathers at the front appeared to be... umm ruffled? Some of the white poking out. No other injuries I can see.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
I wish I knew.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
I feed layer mash and also some kitchen scraps and whatever they find when they are freeranging. I gave them some broccoli recently and some melon and bread etc.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
This is hard to tell but when I was watching her from above on the deck as she was free ranging, I saw her poop and it looked very runny from where I was standing. I ran down to get a picture but couldn't find it as she'd moved! However, I did notice in the coop bedding some parts appeared to be really quite wet.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
In a panic this morning I wondered if the head shaking was lice, so I went and got some lice powder and attempted to sprinkle them all with it. This appears to be a two person task, I was not very successful. In addition my browns are always very reluctant to be handled, whereas the lorps don't mind the contact. I wormed them.. maybe a month ago.
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 would like to treat myself if possible.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
I have a picture of her I'll post.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
They have a wooden coop with roosting poles, two nesting boxes and a long box that they tend to sleep in quite often. Sand is on the base of the coop with a thick layer of sawdust (actually not sure if it's classed as wood shavings). Straw in the nesting box.
She's a Lohmann Brown, approx 29 weeks old.. not sure of weight, seems to be fine weightwise.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Appears to be quite listless and sleepy. This morning she was sat on a perch in the run shaking her head vigorously and hunched up. When I let them out to free range she seemed ok, but when I checked up on her she had found a shady spot and was just laying there most of the time. I decided to call them all back into the coop after a few hours and she came along willingly but slowly. Once in the coop she wasn't interested in the little bit of yoghurt I'd taken up for them, and she went off into the run extension and lay down again, falling asleep. I have 6 girls and only 4 eggs today, usually they lay every day. She IS drinking, just haven't noticed her eat much but she did peck a little around the garden.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
I noticed she didn't seem herself a couple of days ago, I was concerned because when out free ranging she appeared to be doing some kind of contracting at the vent and some clear liquid came out. As I had an egg that day and the next day I thought that it was just the heat, we had an awful spell of very hot weather. Today she seems a lot quieter and is the first time I've seen her hunched.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No the other birds are as happy as ever, eating and drinking and running around.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
I noticed yesterday that some feathers at the front appeared to be... umm ruffled? Some of the white poking out. No other injuries I can see.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
I wish I knew.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
I feed layer mash and also some kitchen scraps and whatever they find when they are freeranging. I gave them some broccoli recently and some melon and bread etc.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
This is hard to tell but when I was watching her from above on the deck as she was free ranging, I saw her poop and it looked very runny from where I was standing. I ran down to get a picture but couldn't find it as she'd moved! However, I did notice in the coop bedding some parts appeared to be really quite wet.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
In a panic this morning I wondered if the head shaking was lice, so I went and got some lice powder and attempted to sprinkle them all with it. This appears to be a two person task, I was not very successful. In addition my browns are always very reluctant to be handled, whereas the lorps don't mind the contact. I wormed them.. maybe a month ago.
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 would like to treat myself if possible.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
I have a picture of her I'll post.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
They have a wooden coop with roosting poles, two nesting boxes and a long box that they tend to sleep in quite often. Sand is on the base of the coop with a thick layer of sawdust (actually not sure if it's classed as wood shavings). Straw in the nesting box.
Just off out to see to her now my husband is home.
