Lost most feathers, still has quills & very unhappy. Please help...

[Moby]

Hi,

Our 2 year old astralorp has lost most of her feathers over the last few days. She can't walk properly and has stopped laying.
I have just bathed her in Pyrethrins flea powder for dogs mixed with warm water. She is drying in front of the heater.
Is there anymore I can do? She is very unhappy and still staggering around.

No change in diet or new birds or routine.

Thanks

 

[Moby]

I forgot to mention her quills are still there just no feathers. Could this be de pluming mite?

 

[California Ducken]

Why did you bathe her in that solution? Birds are delicate compared to dogs. As in their systems and the way they handle certain meds.
Unless it was an emergency situation, I don't think I would have bathed her in that. It could have poisoned her. If it sits on her skin, and keeps soaking in it will continue to do harm.
What kind of feed do you have her on?
Is she free range?
What other birds do you have with her?
You need electrolytes and vitamins in her water.
I will see if anyone else is online now that can help.

 

[Moby]

I read somewhere today that others have used the powder to good effect. It was recommended by a vet so hopefully it wont hurt her.
They all get regular grain mix.
Yes she is free range.
She is living with five other astralorps of various ages all birds bought from they same shop over two years.
With the electrolytes and vitamins it is night time now (in Australia) so I cant get any yet. Any suggestions of something in the house already? I can't think of anything.

Thanks very much for your help and concern.

 

[California Ducken]

Um wait let me see if BYC has a homemade recipe.
Australia, wow. It's 1:15 AM here in California.
I PM'd some one that is great. It's dlhunicorn.
I don't know when she will be online next.

 

[Moby]

Thats very kind of you.
I am going to try to find a vet. We really don't want to lose her.

 

[California Ducken]

Okay I found one

Homemade electrolytes:

Electrolyte formula:7g sodium chloride (NaCl, common salt)5g sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)3g potassium chloride (commonly called "Muriate of Potash". Salt substitutes contain mostly potassium chloride)40g glucose (a common source is corn syrup)2 liters water.

I will keep looking though.

 

[California Ducken]

Do you have a Pet ER?

 

[California Ducken]

You can try sugar water. Gatorade or pedilyte in a pinch. You can't use them for more than a few days due to high sugar content and you need a formulation for birds.
Do you have her on lay crumble? Or just mixed grain?

 

[Moby]

I am digging through the kitchen to make the mix up. Tomorrow I can get to the local Vet. I only feed them grain as they lay nearly one egg each per day year round. Thanks again.

Back to the kitchen.