Sick Guinea Fowl

[ckiff]

Hi,

Two days ago in the morning, all was fine with my mixed flock of chickens, ducks and guinea fowl and a couple of rabbits. Then at check in time at night, one guinea did not show up. It was out in the run area lying on its front in the corner. Thinking she was just being lazy and not going in, as the different birds sometimes do, I was going to do my usual chase around the run to get her into the coop.

As she got up to run I noticed she kept falling to one side and had trouble going in a straight line. I got her in the coop and she continued to try to run around falling on her side, getting up then falling after a few steps again. As she lay there the other birds were literally just walking on her to get by. The young rooster, whom I haven't seen go after anyone yet, got up on the guinea's back and was pecking at it.

I separated the guinea from the flock and put her in a large cage. She now seems unable to stand, refuses to drink or eat. I have tried putting her beak in water, both plain water and with antibiotics. She won't eat, even white millet (a favourite) right in front of her.

I fear she is reaching the end, reaching out for any help or suggestions out there.

Thanks

 

[TNchickies]

Okay, well, i'm going to suggest that maybe she isn't sick. Maybe she is hurt. Chickens can brake their wings very easily. Maybe this is the problem? A broken leg, broken hip, or perhaps any number of broken things could also be causing this. As for her refusing to eat or drink, this could be because of her condition. If she is in severe pain, she may not want to eat. I would suggest you get her checked out by a vet, (if you want to), or maybe feeling her legs, ribs, and wings, and see if she pulls away, (as in, 'this hurts' pulling away.) If her wings are drooping, it could be a sign of illness, or broken wings. Hope this helps you! I hope you feel better little chickidee!

 

[ckiff]

Thanks for all the help. Our guinea's condition never improved. We were able to keep her going for a short while by helping to eat and drink, but she was never able to stand up. In the end we suspect she had a problem with a leg, so we did the sad duty of ending her suffering.

Once again, thanks for the help.

 

[HoneyDreameMom]

Sorry for your loss. It's never an easy task, but is sometimes a necessary one.