Hello, we inherited our girls when we bought our home 9 months ago and they’re part of the family. We’re stumped by this combo of symptoms and are so grateful for your time and brainstorming support!
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Specific type and age unknown- inherited without any info about them. She’s approx. 4-5years old we were told. Average weight- no noticeable change.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
One of our girls started making strange sounds a few days ago (or just different for her). One sounds like a police motorcycle chirp and she has growled like a cat the past two days I’ve opened the run door in the morning instead of her usual greeting/running right out. Sounds are generally lower and growl-like. Doesn’t appear broody. She’s slow to come down from the roost in the morning but once she’s out she seems fine. Laid sat., sun., monday but not today. She’s eating feed and treats, and drinking water as of tonight. She has had diarrhea on and off but currently is pooping strange black pebble poops in water (pic attached) or tar-like poops. When you break apart the pebbles it looks like dry grass- and stained our concrete (pic attached).
Some opening her mouth/neck outstretched yesterday but not today. No signs of mites or lice but we can take a closer look. Crop felt like a hard golf ball this afternoon but will check in the morning.
Otherwise acting fine.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Diarrhea off/on for two weeks, strange vocalizations and pebble poop 3 days
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Unknown cause: but providing this info for more context;
There are field mice in the coop- have been for some time. We inherited an old coop that despite all our best efforts has proven impossible to mouse proof. In the process of building a new coop in a different location. They have access to frequently changed water, food and the yard.
Also a large squirrel currently burrowing into the center of their run from below . We do not have access to the run (chain link, no door) so currently bringing rocks over the top to close holes. Could this be a stressor? (Another reason for the new coop!)
Building a new coop, area is now closed off but wasn’t fora period of time while my husband was working- could she have ingested treated wood shavings which are making her sick?
Haven’t bbqd in months but found small pieces of natural hardwood lump charcoal in the yard- could she be randomly eating that now for some reason? (They free range daily- always have since we moved in and this is a new issue)
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Yes, layer feed, scraps and treats.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Runny, black grassy and dry pebbles in clear liquid, or black tar
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Limited access to the yard in case of something in the environment, ACV in water, plain yogurt for probiotics, no other treatment yet but will check her crop in the morning and take her to the vet/send in fecal sample if needed.
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?
We will take her to the vet
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
Poop is posted
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Straw bedding
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Specific type and age unknown- inherited without any info about them. She’s approx. 4-5years old we were told. Average weight- no noticeable change.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
One of our girls started making strange sounds a few days ago (or just different for her). One sounds like a police motorcycle chirp and she has growled like a cat the past two days I’ve opened the run door in the morning instead of her usual greeting/running right out. Sounds are generally lower and growl-like. Doesn’t appear broody. She’s slow to come down from the roost in the morning but once she’s out she seems fine. Laid sat., sun., monday but not today. She’s eating feed and treats, and drinking water as of tonight. She has had diarrhea on and off but currently is pooping strange black pebble poops in water (pic attached) or tar-like poops. When you break apart the pebbles it looks like dry grass- and stained our concrete (pic attached).
Some opening her mouth/neck outstretched yesterday but not today. No signs of mites or lice but we can take a closer look. Crop felt like a hard golf ball this afternoon but will check in the morning.
Otherwise acting fine.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Diarrhea off/on for two weeks, strange vocalizations and pebble poop 3 days
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Unknown cause: but providing this info for more context;
There are field mice in the coop- have been for some time. We inherited an old coop that despite all our best efforts has proven impossible to mouse proof. In the process of building a new coop in a different location. They have access to frequently changed water, food and the yard.
Also a large squirrel currently burrowing into the center of their run from below . We do not have access to the run (chain link, no door) so currently bringing rocks over the top to close holes. Could this be a stressor? (Another reason for the new coop!)
Building a new coop, area is now closed off but wasn’t fora period of time while my husband was working- could she have ingested treated wood shavings which are making her sick?
Haven’t bbqd in months but found small pieces of natural hardwood lump charcoal in the yard- could she be randomly eating that now for some reason? (They free range daily- always have since we moved in and this is a new issue)
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Yes, layer feed, scraps and treats.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Runny, black grassy and dry pebbles in clear liquid, or black tar
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Limited access to the yard in case of something in the environment, ACV in water, plain yogurt for probiotics, no other treatment yet but will check her crop in the morning and take her to the vet/send in fecal sample if needed.
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?
We will take her to the vet
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
Poop is posted
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Straw bedding