Michigan

[chicken grandma]

Could an empty belly cause a chicken to walk in unsteady circles?
Checked the chickens this morning and found my littlest silkie behaving a bit off. She seemed to be unable to walk in a straight line, instead walking to the side in a circle. She could run away from me in a straight line, but not walk around.
Her crop was so empty I couldn't even feel it, and now that I have her indoors and isolated I've noticed she has a small sneeze. She may also be molting, she's putting off a lot of loose feathers. I gave her some egg and a little bread, as well as water and grit. She ate the egg in large gulps, the bread a little slower, but hasn't show interest in the water or grit. She's walking normally now, and is grooming herself, so I have no idea if I should think she's sick or not.
She's pooped twice since being brought in, first was watery but not abnormal looking, the second was solid but again nothing appeared off.

She has had issues eating around the others lately. It's almost as if she's not part of the flock anymore, the others will chase her away from whatever they are eating and have pecked her so much the back of her head is bald. She's often far away from the other birds and very wary of them, especially our BCM's (they're usually the bullies). I've tried my best to make sure she gets treats and up until today she's always had food in her crop.

Hi Ferrett, she could have gotten a hard peck to the head. She could have been malnourished and dehydrated, she could develop respiratory illness from the stress the rest of the flock has put her under. I am not a fan of mixing standard size birds and Silkies/D'uccle's who are quite docile. Do you have a way to keep her with some smaller chickens where she could hold her own?

 

[sarah92480]

Quote:

Hi Sarah,
Since wild rabbit is considered to be owned by the state... you would need to purchase a small game license and shoot them during the designated rabbit season.

Oh I see. Well never mind then, lol. Jeez it's not like there's a shortage or anything...hehe

 

[Ferrret]

Chicken Grandma, even our other silkie, Shmoo, is rough on her now. They used to all get along quite well, so I'm not sure where the attitude change came from. She is smaller than all of the others, Shmoo included, so maybe that's the issue.
Other than Shmoo, I no longer have any smaller birds. There's roost space for a few more bantams, but I don't think they have enough coop/run space in the winter for more than 5-6 birds. After seeing how she was being treated, I considered picking up a couple bantam chicks to raise and see if she would fit in with birds closer to her size. I may end up either getting a few smaller birds or try to find a new home for her if this bullying continues.

 

[chicken grandma]

That sounds like a good plan Ferrett. I don't think once they are getting beat up that it ever ends well.
Please let us know how we can help you with her.
Where are you located?
I know Mom2emall has a lot of banties right now. And they are teen agers so they would be easy to mix with your Silkie. She could hold her own with them. But the question is always space, you might need a second coop. Or maybe just a crate in the garage for a little one(s) at night.
Keep us posted.

 

[1muttsfan]

Good morning Michigan! I am up to 4 bantam cochins now, they are sooo cute. Looks like it will be a total of 5 wheaten/blue wheaten Ams, 2 have band-aid hobbles but are perky and eating well. And have 49 more eggs just set this week - silkies, more cochins, and EE's. Wheee!

 

[ladyfeather]

Good morning Michigan! I am up to 4 bantam cochins now, they are sooo cute. Looks like it will be a total of 5 wheaten/blue wheaten Ams, 2 have band-aid hobbles but are perky and eating well. And have 49 more eggs just set this week - silkies, more cochins, and EE's. Wheee!

Good morning! Congrats

 

[Juise]

Quote:

Juise, are you on MDC? You struck me as someone who might be. (I mean that in a good way!)

Lol, oh gods, I'm marked!

Hehe, er, I have been on there, mostly just for my DDC with small mammal #1, though. I rarely check it anymore, except occasionally in the health and healing forums, and sometimes with the craftiness, but I am still very good friend with many of the mamas from my DDC.

 

[chickflick]

Good Morning! Cloudy, but warm! Sun is suppose to come out today, so I'm waiting......
The TSC in Lapeer had so many chicks on Friday. One bin had way too many chicks in it. I was good and didn't buy any. Have enough chickens right now. I put four eggs under a broody and we'll see what happens with them.
Helped my son move AGAIN. I sure do hope he stays in this house a bit longer. A family of 6 sure does have ALOT of stuff! But, we got it all done yesterday. Today, I'm gonna be lazy.
Silkies have a soft spot on their heads so you have to be careful of others pecking on them. Keep it separated for awhile to be on the safe side.
Congrats on the chicks hatching. Mom, hope your lil chick's leg gets better. Poor lil thing.
Take care and enjoy the day.

 

[chicken grandma]

Good morning Chickflik! Glad you got your son moved! Enjoy your day off today!

 

[uchytil]

Hey friends, please jump over to What Breed Is This section and look at my New Hampshire thread. Any expert opinions are welcome! Thank you in advance and have a great day!