Velvet Needs Help...Puzzler...Any Ideas? ***She's Dead****

[Mrs MIA]

That doesn't sound like that's what it is, then..

*sigh*... let me see if Les is around... he might know...

 

[KKluckers]

Cyn have you noticed her crop emptying threw the night before she eats in the morning. If it is emptying its probably not sour crop? What is the protein % of the feed and how long has she been on it? Might be gout. Would explain the water retention.

 

[speckledhen]

I'm not really sure if her crop is emptying overnight, Chris. I'll definitely have to check her tomorrow a.m. I just put them on Game Bird Breeder about a month ago when they weren't getting over their molts (they were naked!) and their eggs weren't hatching as well, pipping on the wrong end, etc. The percentage is 20%, lower than some layer feeds I've used, so I wouldn't think that 4% extra above layer feed for a month would cause gout, would it? I really dont know. Anyway, I cant afford that feed anymore so they were going back on 16% layer pellets after this bag was gone.

They get buttermilk and yogurt a couple or three times a week, which one of the articles you sent me said was actually a good thing in dealing with her problem. I'm at a loss. I just was holding her again. Her crop, while large, isn't hard at all. It's very soft. She is quite thin, which I didnt notice since they had no feathers anyway. I rarely pick Velvet up or maybe I would have caught that sooner. There is a mass in her abdomen that seems, gee, how do I say this? Poochy, sort of. Maybe it just seems like that because she is so thin, but I cant say for sure.

 

[speckledhen]

I looked up gout and there are two types. One says it is possibly due to a genetic defect but that if due to excess protein, that would be 30-40% protein, OR it meant 30-40% extra protein over what is required. The way it was written, I'd say it meant 30-40% total protein. Also, can be excess calcium and a few other causes that I'm not sure would fit. The symptoms would fit, though, for the most part. Sudden death or depression, weight loss, darkened head and shanks (I'll have to look at her again on that one), cessation of laying, attempting to hide, white pasty diarrhea (she doesn't have that one, that I've seen when de-pooping).
The other type of gout is so vague and general and with either one, there's nothing to do except change the diet, if it's actually diet related. Both say they can be from genetic predisposition. If its gout and she's genetically predisposed to it, maybe the molt sent her over the edge. Wish I knew. I just hope I dont lose my Velvet, my silly blue diva.

 

[KKluckers]

I ask because one of my blue hens that I got had the same problems. Her crop was squishy (almost kind of fluidy), stiff gait and if I remember correctly she was molting. She was also retaining water. I put her on a all purpose poultry 16% without the extra calcium and just gave her oyster shell and she was back to normal in a few weeks. I was talking to another breeder and he said it sounded like Gout and some Orps seem predisposed to getting it. I hope she gets better for you and keep me updated as to if her crop empties in the morning.

 

[Mrs MIA]

Oh dear... something else I have to keep an eye open for?

I hope that's all it is, Cyn...

you need a break!!

 

[speckledhen]

Wow, Christina, I believe you have solved this mystery for me! Thank you! Yes, I think that's what we have here. The others dont show signs of it, so maybe it will just be Velvet. I'll go into town tomorrow and get different feed, which I'm out of now anyway. I guess Velvet is just predisposed to this; hopefully, Skye, not being related, isn't. Again, many thanks! I'll check on Velvet tomorrow and see if her crop emptied.

 

[jjthink]

Just a tidbit re: gout and should be harmless to try even if not gout. CHERRIES. This was recommended to me awhile back when it seemed like BJ roo might have it and I began to give him several cherries a day for awhile - he got better. I still give him some each week. The same remedy is used for humans. Fresh, frozen, apparently doesn't matter - all are okay.
JJ

 

[speckledhen]

Thank you, Judy. I'll see about getting some when we go into town. I seem to remember something about cherries for gout, but cant recall where I heard it. Maybe from you. I cant remember anything anymore.

Thank you, Spotted Crow, for all the support. You're always there for a shoulder to lean on, as are many more BYC family members here.

 

[cockadoodlemom]

Sorry you have yet another scare

hope she gets better soon. You know, maybe she wanted in the house to see cutie Zane