Please Help!

[RobN72]

Can anyone help?

 

[RobN72]

Here is a picture of her this evening. Her comb usually goes pale when she goes to bed but I have no idea why. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[KelseyBoxer]

I will try to alert some really good people who might be able to help. @azygous, @casportpony, @aart Can anyone help?

 

[RobN72]

?

 

[aart]

This is what I do when I have a bird that is acting 'off'.

I isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so I can closely monitor:
-their intake of food and water,
-crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed),
-and their poops.
Feel their abdomen, from below vent to between legs, for squishy or hard swelling.
Check for external parasites or any other abnormalities.


Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.

 

[azygous]

I am guessing dehydration may be responsible for the pale comb by the end of the day. This has been my experience. Look at the size of it in the morning as well as the color. Compare size and color at the end of the day. The size may be smaller with dehydration.

I would give her a little cup of sugar water with a pinch of non-iodized salt and baking soda mixed into the water at the end of the day when you see the pale comb.

As for the poop, you would collect a random poop sample and take it to a vet and ask for a fecal float for parasites. That way, if she has worms, you will know what kind and the vet can help you select the correct worming med to cure her. I do believe worms could be part of her problem.

 

[RobN72]

I have tried to give her water in the evening but she won’t drink it. Why?

 

[RobN72]

This is what I do when I have a bird that is acting 'off'.

I isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so I can closely monitor:
-their intake of food and water,
-crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed),
-and their poops.
Feel their abdomen, from below vent to between legs, for squishy or hard swelling.
Check for external parasites or any other abnormalities.


Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.

How do you check the crop?

 

[aart]

How do you check the crop?

You feel it with your fingers.
Compare to other birds until you get the hang of here it is and how it should feel.

 

[Chicalina]

Vets don't routinely do faecal floats here in the UK and you'd be hard pressed to find a poultry vet at all, or any pet vet that knows any more than experienced people here tbh.

Just worm the flock, it's easier. You can use liquid panacur which you can buy from pet shops or amazon.

Also check carefully for mites and lice. They can also make a bird anaemic.