Newbie needs help

[Kempsquad]

We have a 20 week old Salmon Faverolle . She is one of 11 chickens of mixed breeds. She is housed in an above ground coop and has 32 foot long run. Today her wings started drooping and she is sitting down a little more than usual. I have seen her drink , but have not been able to observe any poop for signs of blood or discoloration. She is still on Start /Grow with treats of cantaloupe and cottage cheese, and a scattering of scratch or bread.

Her eyes or clear and there is no discharge from her beak, and as of now her head is up and not lowered. She does seem a little more plumper than normal, but that may be from how she is holding her wings. That is really our only symptom , both wings are really droopy.

We live in the south where it has been quite hot and humid, and regular afternoon thunderstorms. She has has areas that stay dry, but the run it self has gotten wet daily, but no standing water. We have already lost one of our babies at 9 weeks old to some type of respiratory type illness several weeks ago. It was so hard for us newbies. We will need to treat her ourselves and are counting on you all for guidance. Thank you in advance.

We appreciate any feed back .

 

[dlhunicorn]

those damp conditions you describe cause can and will cause any number of problems... (and as long as they persist I suggest you not scatter any more scratch on the ground for them)
If you do not address the dampness in the coop then I fear this will not be the only bird to succomb to illness.
For this particular bird you can separate to a dry tempstable place away from the others (you can also monitor her symptoms better this way such as her poos etc.).... try to make it a place that provides relief from the heat as birds will put all their energy into cooling off instead of dealing with pathogens....

 

[threehorses]

I would add that she's nearing laying age and needs laying feed to be integrated into her food soon. Please do get ready to give her laying pellets, preferably the 20% rather than the 16%. If her comb is growing and getting red, she needs it now and that might be part of the problem. You certainly do want the calcium to start getting into her system now for the first egg. 20 weeks is a reasonable age to start laying pellets. I like to change the feed rather slowly - at least over a week. It's less stressful on the gut.

Give her some yogurt daily to help boost the calcium in her diet now in case there's some little battle with bacteria going on. The living bacteria in the yogurt can help replace ones she might have lost due to the stress of the heat. You can give yogurt alone, or mixed in a little egg mashed. All of your birds will benefit from this.


I'd also offer them all a good electrolyte supplement for poultry in their waterer. It wouldn't hurt to give the vitamin/electrolyte once a week in case they need a nutritional boost from the recent challenge of disease being on the place.

I'd agree with everything that dlhunicorn has said, particularly about the heat and moisture as these conditions (we have so strongly here in the south) trigger a whole load of problems.

 

[Kempsquad]

Thank you for your advice. My Salmon Favolle ( Millie Jo) is now separated from her flock but still near enough to feel secure. She has not been hanging her wings down as much this morning, but seems to be weak in her legs. She has been on Electrolytes in her water so I am continuing with that and she did eat some yogurt and mashed egg this morning. I want to go to the Tractor Supply this morning to have any meds on hand that may be needed. Is it possible for someone to suggest what may be needed based on the information known so far ? I have read in the forums about Corid, but am unsure if it is a fit. I am so appreciative of this forum and your kindness. Thank you

On a side note: her comb is not very red, I have 9 different breeds all but three are the same age and only about 4 are getting red yet. I do have lay feed that I plan to start mixing in the current feed soon.

 

[dlhunicorn]

Birds that are heat stressed will eat less and this often causes borderline deficiencies... Do you have a pet store nearby > look for baby parrot/bird formula (this is a powder that you mix with water) ... make that into a porridge consistency and then mix in with her regular feed to concentrate the nutrition... she is probably just very weak and needing to be in a cool place with nutritional support and the eletrolytes.
If you are worried about cocci then you could take a sample in to the vet for a faecal.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
If you use the parrot formula, just note that you do not have to make as they recommend (the hot formula). The heat is for the babies, and our adults or even chicks don't need it that hot as their parents aren't regurgitative. Make it as dlh recommends. I'd personally pick it up after 15 minutes in our climate. Down here it would go bad if left out.

 

[Kempsquad]

Millie Jo is resting and I hope healing tonight. I spent a lot of time with her this evening and this is what I observed : Her wings are up some and not so droopy, but she is greatly favoring her right leg, and sits after walking just a bit. I checked her leg and see no signs of injury or anything unusual.
She is eating some and her poop looks normal no blood. She is just not acting like my Millie Jo, Just the fact that she lets me hold her and doesn't complain is significant.
I am heading to get the parrot mix you suggested first thing in the morning. I am sure your time is valuable and sharing your knowledge with us is much appreciated by our whole family. Hopefully Millie Jo will be better soon and we will send a photo in appreciation. Thanks for hanging in there with me !