We are first time chicken owners who have a sick girl and have no idea what is wrong or how to help her. She is getting weaker fast and need some advice ASAP!! Please help.
1) What type of bird , age and weight.
Aracauna - 17 Weeks old (we've had her since she was 5 days), approx 10lbs??
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
I first noticed her squatting and panting about 4 days ago. None of our girls have started laying yet, but they are all showing signs (red comb, singing). I thought she was getting ready to lay, but since then she is very lethargic. Sits much of the day. I noticed last night that her skin is very dry and more whitish (vs her sisters are more yellowed toned) and starting to flake (no mites seen). She walks a little, but primarily sits and is definitely getting more weak. I picked her up today out of the coop and set her down outside and she fell forward on her breast.
3) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
Not that I have seen.
4) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
The only change that we have changed is we got rid of our rooster (which we are not allowed to have)...but I'm pretty sure she was sick before that happened.
5) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Chick starter, scratch grain, some kitchen scraps (raspberries, lettuce, zucchini, plums) whatever bugs and grass, etc they get from our backyard
6) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Some looks normal (brownish with white cap) and some is runny green
7) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Nothing so far. I checked her vent it looks fine and checked her crop and that feels fine (though I am a first time chicken owner and have never really felt a crop before)
8 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I would prefer home rememdies, but if we are going to lose her I'd take her to a vet.
9) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
N/A
10) Describe the housing/bedding in use
6x6 coop (for 8 hens) we are using the deep litter method with pine shavings, no ammonia smell, no flies.
Any help/advice anyone can give is appreciated. We have tried to separate her by putting her in a box in the hen yard with her own food and water (one of the other hens was picking on her and we are hoping to keep the others from getting sick)
thanks!
1) What type of bird , age and weight.
Aracauna - 17 Weeks old (we've had her since she was 5 days), approx 10lbs??
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
I first noticed her squatting and panting about 4 days ago. None of our girls have started laying yet, but they are all showing signs (red comb, singing). I thought she was getting ready to lay, but since then she is very lethargic. Sits much of the day. I noticed last night that her skin is very dry and more whitish (vs her sisters are more yellowed toned) and starting to flake (no mites seen). She walks a little, but primarily sits and is definitely getting more weak. I picked her up today out of the coop and set her down outside and she fell forward on her breast.
3) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
Not that I have seen.
4) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
The only change that we have changed is we got rid of our rooster (which we are not allowed to have)...but I'm pretty sure she was sick before that happened.
5) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Chick starter, scratch grain, some kitchen scraps (raspberries, lettuce, zucchini, plums) whatever bugs and grass, etc they get from our backyard
6) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Some looks normal (brownish with white cap) and some is runny green
7) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Nothing so far. I checked her vent it looks fine and checked her crop and that feels fine (though I am a first time chicken owner and have never really felt a crop before)
8 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I would prefer home rememdies, but if we are going to lose her I'd take her to a vet.
9) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
N/A
10) Describe the housing/bedding in use
6x6 coop (for 8 hens) we are using the deep litter method with pine shavings, no ammonia smell, no flies.
Any help/advice anyone can give is appreciated. We have tried to separate her by putting her in a box in the hen yard with her own food and water (one of the other hens was picking on her and we are hoping to keep the others from getting sick)
thanks!
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