Trying to Diagnose Symptoms

[Swiftbow]

Hello,

We had a sick bird (Khaleesi) who died last winter. Now her sister (Nugget, a buckeye) is showing similar symptoms, 6 months later. I'm not sure if it's the same thing or not. The bird we lost was also a buckeye, who eventually couldn't even stand up. I think we misdiagnosed a leg problem with Khaleesi, she'd had an earlier injury that I think flared up as a result of being sick but was not actually a symptom.

Basically, Nugget's a bit lethargic, is shaking her head fairly often (maybe a respiratory problem?), and is holding her tail feathers down. She seems to still be eating (treats at least disappear when she picks them up... I'm not as sure about the regular feed), but her weight does seem to be a bit light. We checked for mites (I didn't find any, but I did retreat the roosts with kerosene/oil mix). I'm not certain if she's laid recently. She's resting a lot in the yard, but she still walks around and can hop into and out of the coop. She also complained when I picked her up, which was normal, but didn't run away as fast as she usually can.

It's been really damp recently as we've been getting a LOT of rain (Colorado). May be a factor?

On a more amusing note, Nugget's (adopted) dominque sister (Lady Cluck) came running up to make sure we weren't hurting Nugget after she made a protest noise, even flapping onto the top of the trampoline to inspect at a closer range. We only have the two chickens... I guess they're rather close!

 

[biophiliac]

Did/can you check her crop - should be full when she goes to roost, empty when she comes off in the am. Can you weigh her on a scale? How does her poop look? Have you ever had a fecal exam done or wormed them? Abdomen - any apparent swelling/fluid? Is she laying? How old is she? when you checked for mites, did you do this at night and use a strong light?
Sweet how your birds are close friends. I f you can give a bit more info someone who knows more than me should be able to advise you. Hope she get well for you

 

[Swiftbow]

Well, it's a moot point now. She died overnight. We found her lying on her back with her eyes closed.

I was checking for mites in the daylight. I guess night is better? Her crop felt okay to me at the time, but I may easily have missed something. I couldn't find any unusual droppings. And no, we haven't done those exams. They had been mostly rather healthy. They're about a year and a half old. Oh, and Nugget had been laying, but I'm not sure when her last egg was. It's possible she was egg bound? I think she felt too light for that, though.

 

[Kiki]

Sorry for your loss.
Worms can eat them from the inside out which can cause them to feel light too.

 

[biophiliac]

Well, it's a moot point now. She died overnight. We found her lying on her back with her eyes closed.

I was checking for mites in the daylight. I guess night is better? Her crop felt okay to me at the time, but I may easily have missed something. I couldn't find any unusual droppings. And no, we haven't done those exams. They had been mostly rather healthy. They're about a year and a half old. Oh, and Nugget had been laying, but I'm not sure when her last egg was. It's possible she was egg bound? I think she felt too light for that, though.

So sorry for your loss.