Hello, I had an awful hatch a few weeks ago in which I had a disaster with temperature regulation. This resulted in several lost. Luckily there were not many in the incubator. Three week olds include: 1 Cotronix and 2 Buttons.
One of the buttons with splay and club foot. Tried all the usual treatments for correction, but the bird would have none of them and it became worrisome that the treatment for her was worse than her lameness. The treatments caused her great upset and seemed she would die. That said, she is very lame and scuttles about with a leg that can move, but she cannot bear weight. Her will for life, however, is quite strong and for such a tiny little bird and her fortitude is really something to admire.
The handicapped button is actually not the reason I post for advice though.
The reason is skin peeling and flaking over about the past week and my concern lies with the health of the two little buttons. The cotornix seems to have come out of the problem with little help and the skin is clearing up well now. But the buttons have plucked out each others feathers! I immediately separated them after the poor handicapped babe was all bloody with her head, back and partially on the wing is completely bald. The other button is pretty much the same, but not as bad and there was only a few areas of scant blood where feathers came out. Both have continued eating, drinking, singing and gaining weight, yet over this past week since this occurrence, I see little signs of any new feather growth although there are a few pins here and there. There is no signs of infection, pain nor any mites anywhere. I have check for mites both day and at night and looked in areas where they could hide. There do not appear to be any mites on multiple inspections and the birds don't appear to be over-preening. Vents are clean and normal bowel movements all along.
What I have done thus far:
Started with a small amount of Neosporin combined with a few drops of filtered water and an unscented cream called "Utterly Smooth Hand Cream." I took a Q-Tip and gently rubbed the bare, flaky areas once daily which softened up the skin. The tan-yellowy flakes shed off over several days and stopped the Neosporin and started only the Utter Cream combined with grape seed oil which I had available in the house and did the same twice daily. The birds do appear to enjoy the feel of the Q-Tip stroking their face, cheeks and under the chin as they turn their head to allow it. I have also noticed what seems to be a slight hyperkeratosis about the nostrils and where beak meets chin. This is particularly noted on the handicapped chick. With the Q-tip rubs, this is fairly easily removed. Again, it is not grossly excessive, but it is noted. It appears as a firm, not hard and tannish-yellow. Once removed, new skin is revealed, but I have had to do this about three times so far. There is no signs of infection nor redness nor pain. I continue this treatment and it does appear to be resolving, but I'm concerned that the buttons will not have feathers grow back as it is just skin that is smooth now. I am also very upset since the handicapped baby had the most beautiful feathers growing and felt that was appropriate since she was handicapped, yet blessed with the prettiest of feathers. Now, she looks absolutely terrible. Really awful.
I have no idea what has caused this problem and not out of the woods yet, but it does seem to be improving slowly. The skin is soft, wrinkled and supple once the oily cream is applied, but dries up after a few hours. I may increase the treatment from twice daily to three times daily. I have a grown cotornix, 10 month old male, and he has been just fine with no signs of any of this phenomenon. There is only one thing I can possibly think that could've happened. I took them out for a ride to show them off to a friend down the road leaving the 10 month old rooster at home. It was a bright sunny day. They were in a portable cage. The sun shined on them. My little dog was with us and neither her nor myself were uncomfortable. The only thing I can think of is that the babies got a sunburn.
Am I missing anything here with this issue? What is this skin problem? I did not experience this raising the 10 month old at least that I can recall.
One of the buttons with splay and club foot. Tried all the usual treatments for correction, but the bird would have none of them and it became worrisome that the treatment for her was worse than her lameness. The treatments caused her great upset and seemed she would die. That said, she is very lame and scuttles about with a leg that can move, but she cannot bear weight. Her will for life, however, is quite strong and for such a tiny little bird and her fortitude is really something to admire.
The handicapped button is actually not the reason I post for advice though.
The reason is skin peeling and flaking over about the past week and my concern lies with the health of the two little buttons. The cotornix seems to have come out of the problem with little help and the skin is clearing up well now. But the buttons have plucked out each others feathers! I immediately separated them after the poor handicapped babe was all bloody with her head, back and partially on the wing is completely bald. The other button is pretty much the same, but not as bad and there was only a few areas of scant blood where feathers came out. Both have continued eating, drinking, singing and gaining weight, yet over this past week since this occurrence, I see little signs of any new feather growth although there are a few pins here and there. There is no signs of infection, pain nor any mites anywhere. I have check for mites both day and at night and looked in areas where they could hide. There do not appear to be any mites on multiple inspections and the birds don't appear to be over-preening. Vents are clean and normal bowel movements all along.
What I have done thus far:
Started with a small amount of Neosporin combined with a few drops of filtered water and an unscented cream called "Utterly Smooth Hand Cream." I took a Q-Tip and gently rubbed the bare, flaky areas once daily which softened up the skin. The tan-yellowy flakes shed off over several days and stopped the Neosporin and started only the Utter Cream combined with grape seed oil which I had available in the house and did the same twice daily. The birds do appear to enjoy the feel of the Q-Tip stroking their face, cheeks and under the chin as they turn their head to allow it. I have also noticed what seems to be a slight hyperkeratosis about the nostrils and where beak meets chin. This is particularly noted on the handicapped chick. With the Q-tip rubs, this is fairly easily removed. Again, it is not grossly excessive, but it is noted. It appears as a firm, not hard and tannish-yellow. Once removed, new skin is revealed, but I have had to do this about three times so far. There is no signs of infection nor redness nor pain. I continue this treatment and it does appear to be resolving, but I'm concerned that the buttons will not have feathers grow back as it is just skin that is smooth now. I am also very upset since the handicapped baby had the most beautiful feathers growing and felt that was appropriate since she was handicapped, yet blessed with the prettiest of feathers. Now, she looks absolutely terrible. Really awful.
I have no idea what has caused this problem and not out of the woods yet, but it does seem to be improving slowly. The skin is soft, wrinkled and supple once the oily cream is applied, but dries up after a few hours. I may increase the treatment from twice daily to three times daily. I have a grown cotornix, 10 month old male, and he has been just fine with no signs of any of this phenomenon. There is only one thing I can possibly think that could've happened. I took them out for a ride to show them off to a friend down the road leaving the 10 month old rooster at home. It was a bright sunny day. They were in a portable cage. The sun shined on them. My little dog was with us and neither her nor myself were uncomfortable. The only thing I can think of is that the babies got a sunburn.
Am I missing anything here with this issue? What is this skin problem? I did not experience this raising the 10 month old at least that I can recall.
