Margo is in Trouble

[micstrachan]

Good point. Margo’s illness may have triggered molt. Ruby has been losing feathers for a couple weeks (though I don’t see any bald spots nor pin feathers). I’ll be watching for dropped feathers from everyone in the coming days and weeks. My absence could have been stressful for all of them.

Unless someone tells me it’s a bad idea and convinces me otherwise, I plan to continue the 500mg of amoxicillin for the full 14 days. Today is day 11. Several days she only received 250mg. I hate the thought of over medicating or administering meds she doesn’t need, but feel pretty sure she responded to the antibiotics and want to knock it all out and NOT breed resistant bacteria.

 

[townchicks]

I'm behind you finishing up the antibiotics. Also, my hens have been dropping feathers for a couple of weeks already. Fingers crossed she continues to improve.

 

[micstrachan]

When I say Margo’s body language still isn’t quite right, this is what I’m talking about…

 

[townchicks]

You know your chicken, you can tell she's still not right. Follow through with what you have been doing, except maybe not calcium if she is molting, she won't be laying for a while. Has she had pain meds recently? If not, you might try some and see if she becomes more "normal", that would be a clear indication that she's still uncomfortable. Just a thought.

 

[Kathy Golla]

@Eggcessive i have a hen who won’t eat anything I offer her as she thinks there are meds in them.
I tried the Braunschweiger and she ate it right up! Magic!

 

[micstrachan]

Yes, discontinued calcium and will try the ibuprofen again this weekend when I can monitor her response.

 

[micstrachan]

Well, hopefully I can be wrapping up this Margo thread. Here is a (poor quality) picture of her this morning on her outdoor roost. She’s still standing a little bit like a penguin and you can kind of see her earlobes starting to yellow. Everywhere she stands, there is a pile of feathers around her, so I’m hoping the body language is just discomfort from the abrupt molt. It’s a nice cool morning, so I hope that helps them have an easy day. My plan is to continue 500 mg of amoxicillin through day 14. All the girls are running around the yard free ranging right now, while I enjoy my coffee and throw the ball for the dog. Have a great day, everyone! I have some coop/run cleaning & work to do. (I’ve been meaning to scrub down the bottom foot of the grow out coop for a long time… It was sitting in the run floor for a long time, and then I finally just lifted it up onto keystones several weeks ago. I also have one 8 foot section left to swap out chicken wire for hardware cloth.)
I’ll resume the thread if it seems Margo is having more of an issue than just overcoming the initial infection and now molt, but I feel pretty good about the whole situation at this point. Thanks so much to all of you for your amazing support!

 

[AHPFblack star]

Check this out.

Bluecomb is a disease that can occur in chickens, turkeys, and quail. It is also known as pullet disease, avian monocytosis, new wheat disease, X-disease, summer disease, and mud fever. It occurs most commonly in hot summer months, usually between June and November, and affects young birds under 2 years of age..

Avian vets have worked for years to determine the cause of bluecomb. The disease resembles an infection in the way it travels through a flock of birds. In most cases it is a disturbance of the metabolic system, although a virus is a suspected cause.

D. E. Stover, of the California Department of Agriculture, Sacramento, CA found the virus of Newcastle disease in outbreaks of bluecomb, so several people associate bluecomb with the virus of Newcastle. This is a faulty theory, since there are several possible causes of bluecomb. Birds in early stages of the Luekosis disease often develop a bluecomb, several other things including staphylococcal and streptococcal infections and infections of the intestinal tract, can cause a blue comb. There is also a possibility that Bluecomb is caused by a mineral imbalance.

Although there are precautions that you can take against bluecomb, you can not prevent it completely. Because it has been discovered that bluecomb is usually due to poor breeding, hatchery birds are more susceptible to bluecomb than farm birds.

The symptoms of bluecomb will change depending on the severity of the bird’s illness. Possible symptoms could include depression, loss of appetite, blue/black comb and wattles, sour crop, and drop in egg production. A large majority of birds recover from this ailment if treated properly, however up to 80% of a flock can be killed if neglected. You can never tell if your bird’s case is fatal or not until the very end, so it is always best to treat your bird as soon as possible to prevent death.

After an outbreak of Bluecomb, it is vital to make sure that your birds have ample supply of clean, cold water, and grain. Molasses can be helpful, as well as some form of potassium. Antibiotics, such as Aureomycin, Terramycin, Streptomycin, Duramycin, and penicillin, are highly advised for the well being of your flock.

Bluecomb can be fatal, but it does not have to be. If you just treat your birds properly and administer the proper antibiotics, bluecomb does not need to be any more dangerous than a head cold.

 

[micstrachan]

Fascinating! Do you remember the source? Margo has not shown any sign of a blue comb since her antibiotics. Coincidence? Hmmm...

 

[AHPFblack star]

I got it from BYC.