Questionnaire for sick chicken diagnosis

[WannabeACFarmer]

We have a sick chicken and I came across an old thread that referred to a "sticky post" in this forum that had a questionnaire to help identify what we might be dealing with. Is that post still available? (Hen started losing feathers recently and this morning I noticed for the first time that she was cocking her head to the side and appeared to have balance issues.)

 

[casportpony]

@WannabeACFarmer , welcome to BYC!

POSTING GUIDELINES for Emergencies / Diseases and Cures.

Please help us to help you.
When you need to post in the "Emergencies / Diseases and Cures" section please make the title of your thread concise and specific. For example, to title a thread "HELP" or "URGENT" or "EMERGENCY", etc., is not helpful for us or for you. Nor is telling us "my hen is sick, what should I do?" A good example of a new thread subject: "Chicken got into the pool-barely breathing! Help!"

Off topic posts will be moved, with an explanation, to an area better suited to that post.

Give us the following information. The more you tell us, the better we will be able to help you.

1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
10 ) 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?
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use

Remember that we are not veterinarians. We help based on our own research and experiences.
We cannot monitor the board 24/7, and therefore do not guarantee we can always help, much as we would wish to.
We should never be a replacement if real medical attention is required.
If your situation seems to require a trip to the vet, please do so. It is always a good idea to know of an avian vet in your area in case your situation is bad enough that we cannot help. We encourage you to visit the Reference Forum and read up there before you need the information.

Some important links to read:

Links to disease symptoms and information
Chicken Anatomy
Friendly Reminder-PLEASE Quarantine Newly Purchased Birds!

Thank you!

The BYC Staff

-Kathy

 

[Carolyn]

I am have trouble starting a new thread so I hope this is OK to post here. I went to purchase some English buff Orpington hens today and was really looking forward to getting them. They looked and acted healthy. They are 15 months old and finishing a molt. We put them in my cage and set them in the shade while she showed me other chickens and a nice, certified operation. Just after we loaded the cage and repositioned it they started breathing fast and having noisy respirations. No mucous, no odor, no sneeze, cough or other signs of illness. Temp has been in the 80's for days.
Thinking it was heat and stress related I headed home with them. The first time I checked them they were breathing better. Later after it got cloudy I checked them again and there breathing was worse. I took them back but I don't have any idea what was going on.

What respiratory infections don't have cough, sneeze, mucous, watery eyes or general signs of illness.
What about cardiac issues? These chickens free range heavily and have scratch and feed available. Is this a breed that has health problems?
Thank you.