Greebo
In the Brooder
Hi. Looking for advice please. Please excuse length - and thanks to all who brave the read. 
Background of bird: Have a silkie who is 21weeks and 2 days today. She has not laid as yet, but one of her clutch-mates has (there are 4 sisters hatched same date, only one laying, and that began 2 days ago). She was a failure-to-thrive who I separated to give extra care to at ~4/5weeks and returned to 'family' at ~9weeks when she had caught up (relatively) and was able to handle herself. She is still smaller, ~3/4 size of others, but so far been happy and healthy (and a lot tamer, she is my darling). Didn't register on scales alone but when I held her then weighed myself the difference was 0.7-0.8 kgs (I've pre-read the posting guidelines for sick bird posts, so trying to add all info that was suggested, excuse length). Worming done once every 4-6 weeks, or if I see any poopy bum I will do it. Flock last wormed 28th Jan. Last mite dusting 8th Jan - bought some diatomaceous earth thursday just gone but not had chance to dust them with that yet, just spread on ground in 2 areas on Friday. Considering doing it as they roost tonight depending on advice to come...
"Little" is a little odd, she is smaller and her top feathers never really came through into the silkie pompom (she is pictured as a chick sleeping on my dog in my profile pic here). Her comb is pretty much absent, much flatter to her head than her sisters. Her comb and wattle were yellow until a few weeks ago when they went red. All her sisters have the normal silkie dark mulberry combs and wattles. She is quirky but very sweet and the entire human family is wholeheartedly invested in her due to the bond we created with her as a failure-to-thrive in our care. My 5yr old specifically cannot lose this dear little bird. I'm including this info coz I'm not sure how much her early struggles and 'differences' may be an influencing factor in her constitution and current condition.
She has always been a bit of a loner, able to spend time with and be accepted by the other silkies, but also choosing to wander off, either alone, including dirt bathing/napping alone, or hanging around different 'cliques' (there are 3-4 different 'groups' of birds within the flock that split off together, I also have various bantam breeds within these, the silkies are a group in their own but "Little" has always been able to intermingle alongside all groups or be happily off by herself).
I have not noticed her lay an egg anywhere in the yard but she did do the 'hen crouch' as I passed yesterday and day before.
Behaviour/symptoms: Last two nights she has had nothing in her crop on roosting. It is moulting time and the mature members of the flock (75% of my birds are under 5mths) are voraciously more competitive for the food atm - well the fresh treats and garden produce at least, the grains and crumble aren't fought over the same. Little is a timid girl but even separating her to give her unheeded access to food she is not eating more than a few pecks. Over the last 2 days I've tried treats like pulling fresh corn bits off a cob, giving some banana, dark grape slices, fresh greens like bok choy, some rolled oats, but she only has a little go then just stands there. I'm out of mealworms til tomorrow (Sunday nothing open) but the 3 I found in the tub she ate happily. Putting bowls of pellets or wheat or other grains in front of her doesn't get a response. Which seems weird as she should be hungry if she has an empty crop? I've got her inside house with us atm. Put cup of water in front she had one sip and that was it, but I'm not sure if she's already had some as I've been away from home today. But her crop feels empty and its 4pm here, so I don't think she's been eating today. Got her to have 4 small fingernail sized pieces of a nectarine that I was eating but then she lost interest and left the next bits alone (first time I'd offered though so could be she's just not a fan). She's not doing much though. Not that she normally runs around flapping and squawking but she does seem quieter or withdrawn somehow. Update: Over the last hour of writing this she's been inside with me, she's stood in front of a bowl of chick starter and a bowl of water. She's had only a few rudimentary pecks about 15mins ago but rest of the time has stood still and ignored it. It's been a while since she was last in the house and usually she would walk around, explore, join us, look and peck at things. This time she has stood or sat on the kitchen floor where I put her and hasn't moved.
Coop: The silkies (x4) like to sleep with the Old English Game bantams (x2) on branches stretched across a medium sized 'cockatoo' bird cage on wheels that is inside the extension of our house (walled/roofed but no insulation on it yet). I lift them all into it, pop them all in 'their' places as they like exactly the same spots each time, put the lid on then cover it with a black out curtain to keep in warmth. Each morning I take them all out again and I clean the base draw of poo every 2nd day.
Food/water: They have been given chick starter as there are many young birds and chicks that share the yard with them where they free range all day (I was told the bubs shouldn't have access to layer pellets etc), as well as wheat, some black sunflower seeds, small portion of crushed dry corn, these are placed in dishes in different spots in the yard so all 'ranks' and 'cliques' get access - when I had only in one spot the OEGBs annexed the feeder for themselves and wouldn't share, how rude! The garden has trees as well as couch grass, some flowering plants like roses/alyssum, nasturtiums, and veges such as kale, bok choy, pak choy, spinach, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and herbs like fennel, basil, coriander, thyme. Occasionally over the last month I've given them some mealworms or cheap tinned dog food as extra protein to help with the body stresses of moulting etc.
There are also water dishes throughout the yard. The water tubs are cleaned and refilled daily, I rotate btwn Apple Cider Vinegar, Avi-Vital and a probiotic called Synbiotic. Occasionally if we have a very Australian day (35*c+) I will add Avi-Lyte for electrolytes. We have not had many this summer and none recently. Weather over the last few days has been mild, slightly windy, yesterday was sunny but only 30*.
Poop: The poop under her roosting spot (from the last 2 nights) looked normal. She did one inside just now and it had a firm black part which looked normal, but also a bright yellow runny/fluid accompanying it which I don't usually see. It was a very small poo. As I was cleaning it up the general air smelled normal but I didn't sniff the poo itself...
Update (it's taken me an hour and a half to write this lol) she had another poop, average size, semi firm brown and white with only a small amount being liquid. Normal looking but less dry/firm than usual I guess. This one was a bit more 'woofy' though.
Surrounding factors: One of the old english game bantams had a chesty sound to her 'voice' a week ago so I brought her into the 'hospital' which is a small birdcage under a heat lamp at night kept in laundry of house, small fenced run during day on opposite side of house to other yard. Gave her sulfa3 in case was beginnings of cold, after day 2 no chesty sounds but kept separated for week on the meds as container suggested. Due to go back to flock tomorrow so have washed down hosp cage and left in sun today so I can put Little inside the house for heat and observation. Will move run to new patch tomorrow for her outside time and put OEGB back in flock tomorrow and in communal roost tonight.
No other birds have been ill or shown any changes in behaviour, apart from being more competitive for food as said. Which is likely linked to both moulting and silkies maturing to layers. No other birds displaying symptoms. No signs of trauma. No visible signs of mites.
Summary of symptoms: Quiet, apathetic behaviour, empty crop, lack of interest in food, being extra timid.
Thanks to all who managed to read through, hopefully headings helped a bit for skipping...
Family definitely attached to this girl and want the best for her. No vets open today. No specialist poultry vets in my area (500+kms away) local vets only do domestic pets like dogs etc. In the past have found more info in this forum and facebook groups than my vets could supply so would value some experienced poultry keepers advice and suggestions. Really value this bird as an individual so willing to go to any lengths needed to get her happy and healthy. ALL thoughts welcome. Thanks in advance!
Background of bird: Have a silkie who is 21weeks and 2 days today. She has not laid as yet, but one of her clutch-mates has (there are 4 sisters hatched same date, only one laying, and that began 2 days ago). She was a failure-to-thrive who I separated to give extra care to at ~4/5weeks and returned to 'family' at ~9weeks when she had caught up (relatively) and was able to handle herself. She is still smaller, ~3/4 size of others, but so far been happy and healthy (and a lot tamer, she is my darling). Didn't register on scales alone but when I held her then weighed myself the difference was 0.7-0.8 kgs (I've pre-read the posting guidelines for sick bird posts, so trying to add all info that was suggested, excuse length). Worming done once every 4-6 weeks, or if I see any poopy bum I will do it. Flock last wormed 28th Jan. Last mite dusting 8th Jan - bought some diatomaceous earth thursday just gone but not had chance to dust them with that yet, just spread on ground in 2 areas on Friday. Considering doing it as they roost tonight depending on advice to come...
"Little" is a little odd, she is smaller and her top feathers never really came through into the silkie pompom (she is pictured as a chick sleeping on my dog in my profile pic here). Her comb is pretty much absent, much flatter to her head than her sisters. Her comb and wattle were yellow until a few weeks ago when they went red. All her sisters have the normal silkie dark mulberry combs and wattles. She is quirky but very sweet and the entire human family is wholeheartedly invested in her due to the bond we created with her as a failure-to-thrive in our care. My 5yr old specifically cannot lose this dear little bird. I'm including this info coz I'm not sure how much her early struggles and 'differences' may be an influencing factor in her constitution and current condition.
She has always been a bit of a loner, able to spend time with and be accepted by the other silkies, but also choosing to wander off, either alone, including dirt bathing/napping alone, or hanging around different 'cliques' (there are 3-4 different 'groups' of birds within the flock that split off together, I also have various bantam breeds within these, the silkies are a group in their own but "Little" has always been able to intermingle alongside all groups or be happily off by herself).
I have not noticed her lay an egg anywhere in the yard but she did do the 'hen crouch' as I passed yesterday and day before.
Behaviour/symptoms: Last two nights she has had nothing in her crop on roosting. It is moulting time and the mature members of the flock (75% of my birds are under 5mths) are voraciously more competitive for the food atm - well the fresh treats and garden produce at least, the grains and crumble aren't fought over the same. Little is a timid girl but even separating her to give her unheeded access to food she is not eating more than a few pecks. Over the last 2 days I've tried treats like pulling fresh corn bits off a cob, giving some banana, dark grape slices, fresh greens like bok choy, some rolled oats, but she only has a little go then just stands there. I'm out of mealworms til tomorrow (Sunday nothing open) but the 3 I found in the tub she ate happily. Putting bowls of pellets or wheat or other grains in front of her doesn't get a response. Which seems weird as she should be hungry if she has an empty crop? I've got her inside house with us atm. Put cup of water in front she had one sip and that was it, but I'm not sure if she's already had some as I've been away from home today. But her crop feels empty and its 4pm here, so I don't think she's been eating today. Got her to have 4 small fingernail sized pieces of a nectarine that I was eating but then she lost interest and left the next bits alone (first time I'd offered though so could be she's just not a fan). She's not doing much though. Not that she normally runs around flapping and squawking but she does seem quieter or withdrawn somehow. Update: Over the last hour of writing this she's been inside with me, she's stood in front of a bowl of chick starter and a bowl of water. She's had only a few rudimentary pecks about 15mins ago but rest of the time has stood still and ignored it. It's been a while since she was last in the house and usually she would walk around, explore, join us, look and peck at things. This time she has stood or sat on the kitchen floor where I put her and hasn't moved.
Coop: The silkies (x4) like to sleep with the Old English Game bantams (x2) on branches stretched across a medium sized 'cockatoo' bird cage on wheels that is inside the extension of our house (walled/roofed but no insulation on it yet). I lift them all into it, pop them all in 'their' places as they like exactly the same spots each time, put the lid on then cover it with a black out curtain to keep in warmth. Each morning I take them all out again and I clean the base draw of poo every 2nd day.
Food/water: They have been given chick starter as there are many young birds and chicks that share the yard with them where they free range all day (I was told the bubs shouldn't have access to layer pellets etc), as well as wheat, some black sunflower seeds, small portion of crushed dry corn, these are placed in dishes in different spots in the yard so all 'ranks' and 'cliques' get access - when I had only in one spot the OEGBs annexed the feeder for themselves and wouldn't share, how rude! The garden has trees as well as couch grass, some flowering plants like roses/alyssum, nasturtiums, and veges such as kale, bok choy, pak choy, spinach, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and herbs like fennel, basil, coriander, thyme. Occasionally over the last month I've given them some mealworms or cheap tinned dog food as extra protein to help with the body stresses of moulting etc.
There are also water dishes throughout the yard. The water tubs are cleaned and refilled daily, I rotate btwn Apple Cider Vinegar, Avi-Vital and a probiotic called Synbiotic. Occasionally if we have a very Australian day (35*c+) I will add Avi-Lyte for electrolytes. We have not had many this summer and none recently. Weather over the last few days has been mild, slightly windy, yesterday was sunny but only 30*.
Poop: The poop under her roosting spot (from the last 2 nights) looked normal. She did one inside just now and it had a firm black part which looked normal, but also a bright yellow runny/fluid accompanying it which I don't usually see. It was a very small poo. As I was cleaning it up the general air smelled normal but I didn't sniff the poo itself...
Update (it's taken me an hour and a half to write this lol) she had another poop, average size, semi firm brown and white with only a small amount being liquid. Normal looking but less dry/firm than usual I guess. This one was a bit more 'woofy' though.
Surrounding factors: One of the old english game bantams had a chesty sound to her 'voice' a week ago so I brought her into the 'hospital' which is a small birdcage under a heat lamp at night kept in laundry of house, small fenced run during day on opposite side of house to other yard. Gave her sulfa3 in case was beginnings of cold, after day 2 no chesty sounds but kept separated for week on the meds as container suggested. Due to go back to flock tomorrow so have washed down hosp cage and left in sun today so I can put Little inside the house for heat and observation. Will move run to new patch tomorrow for her outside time and put OEGB back in flock tomorrow and in communal roost tonight.
No other birds have been ill or shown any changes in behaviour, apart from being more competitive for food as said. Which is likely linked to both moulting and silkies maturing to layers. No other birds displaying symptoms. No signs of trauma. No visible signs of mites.
Summary of symptoms: Quiet, apathetic behaviour, empty crop, lack of interest in food, being extra timid.
Thanks to all who managed to read through, hopefully headings helped a bit for skipping...
Family definitely attached to this girl and want the best for her. No vets open today. No specialist poultry vets in my area (500+kms away) local vets only do domestic pets like dogs etc. In the past have found more info in this forum and facebook groups than my vets could supply so would value some experienced poultry keepers advice and suggestions. Really value this bird as an individual so willing to go to any lengths needed to get her happy and healthy. ALL thoughts welcome. Thanks in advance!
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So in the plans but not able to supply straight away. But wanting to know how to treat Little tonight and onwards for best results for her. She is so dear to us.
