Margo is in Trouble

[micstrachan]

To be clear on Margo... upon closer observation, she is soooo much better, but I would not say 100%. Her voice isn’t as strong as normal and she’s slightly hesitant. I am glad her body is taking a break from laying and I’m still hopeful for a full recovery.

Getting a closer look at my flock, I might need to start a thread on Roxy. I’ll observe her a day before freaking out.

 

[HeyHo]

So glad Margo seems to be on the mend -- I've been reading and learning and following you and your flock! Fingers cross that Roxy is just out of sorts because her chicken momma has been out of town.

 

[micstrachan]

So glad Margo seems to be on the mend -- I've been reading and learning and following you and your flock! Fingers cross that Roxy is just out of sorts because her chicken momma has been out of town.

Thank you so much!

 

[rebrascora]

Good to hear she is looking to be more back to her old self.
From your description of the flock in general, it sounds like you are on the verge of moult. Looking skinny and dishevelled and production being down and even Margo being so off colour. I had a welsummer did that a couple of years ago and looked really sick for a few days as she went into moult. Any sign of feathers starting to appear in the coop/run?

 

[micstrachan]

Good to hear she is looking to be more back to her old self.
From your description of the flock in general, it sounds like you are on the verge of moult. Looking skinny and dishevelled and production being down and even Margo being so off colour. I had a welsummer did that a couple of years ago and looked really sick for a few days as she went into moult. Any sign of feathers starting to appear in the coop/run?

Ah! Good catch! It seems early, but we’ll see. Margo was definitely more sick than just molting, but could be heading into molt now. Her posture is still not quite right. Only Ruby has obviously had feathers in the coop and run. However, today this appeared and it is dintinctively Margo colored, except hers are slightly speckled up close. Really not sure whose it is. Unless it’s faded black (?)

Margo also just hopped up for a lap sit.

 

[micstrachan]

There are a few feathers around. Looks like Bagheera may finally have her first molt, unless she was putting feathers in the nest box purposefully. I also see a Roxy feather (her comb is fading, too) and a light feather that is either Lucky’s or Cashew’s. I think they eat the little feathers, so it’s hard to say.

I had planned to increase Margo’s amoxicillin to 500mg (since she still has mild symptoms) for the last five of fourteen days to make sure any residual bacteria are killed off. Already did that today. Good or bad idea?

 

[micstrachan]

@rebrascora, you are good! That first feather I posted seems to be an inside wing feather from Margo, and I just saw these fall off of her while preening. She’s dropping feathers like crazy. A third one fell out while the photo was uploading.

 

[Kathy Golla]

Remember broody hens moult too. I’ve got two I’ve broken recently moulting like crazy. Ugh.

 

[micstrachan]

Sorry about all the posts, but my son JUST NOW informed me that Margo looked bad when they got home on Tuesday. He said she was laying down and other chickens were walking over her. I think her infection (assuming she really had/has one), combined with the molt and the heat were the problem. Overall she’s much, much better than a week ago.

 

[aart]

Stress, from illness or other things can trigger a molt.
Plus it's getting close to that time anyway.
Shortening of days is increasing every day and some birds molt 'early'.
Some of mine started first week of August last year.