JeepzPeepz
Chirping
- Aug 5, 2022
- 17
- 14
- 51
Hi everyone. I have an 11ish week old Australorp chick (or is it pullet now?) that has been sick for a couple weeks, and I’d appreciate some help in maybe figuring out what’s going on, and how I can best help her. These are my first chickens, so I’d appreciate the input of others more knowledgeable. I apologize in advance for this being a long post.
A little info on my setup, in case it helps:
-Im located in central Maryland. The weather had been a comfortable 70-85 when symptoms started.
-I hatched chicks myself, from eggs I received from a friend who’s birds have always been healthy.
-They were brooded indoors, and moved outside to coop at about 7-8 weeks old.
-They are eating Dumor chick starter, and always have access to grit.
-They have a grass/dirt run in the yard, and get supervised free ranging almost daily.
-Coop has ventilation, but it’s lacking ( TSC prefab got another sucker right here!), so bedding is emptied and replaced every couple days until their new coop is built.
Symptoms started about 2 weeks ago:
-Sneezing with clear mucus (but only when she sneezes)
-Breathing sounded normal until this morning, where her nose sounds a bit stuffy. No wheezing or coughing I’ve heard.
-Head scratching and shaking (mouth and throat look clear)
-Eyes are clear and alert
-No odd odors coming from anywhere on her
-Diminished appetite (but happily eats treats and drinking water)
-Pale face and comb/wattle
-Puffed up feathers
-Tail down, neck pulled in
-Dark, thick poop (smelled different than the other chicks cecal poo)
-Green poop for the last couple days
-Crop seems to be filling and emptying as it should be.
-I noticed last night while she was perched on my shoulder that her belly sounds bubbly and I’m pretty sure she farted on my head
I brought her inside for about two days last week to start Corid and let her rest. She perked up and seemed to be doing better so I put her back out with the group, but symptoms returned within a day or so. I brought her back inside, where she’ll stay until I can figure out what’s going on.
I’ve treated her and my 6 other chickens with 5 days of Corid. I figured it couldnt hurt. I read on here to do 5 days on, 5 off, then 5 on again. We’re on day 4 of the “off” period. She is the only chicken exhibiting any symptoms. Taking her to a vet isn’t completely off the table, but it would absolutely take a significant toll on my finances with Christmas coming up. I have no antibiotics on hand, but Tylan can be easily acquired. Other antibiotics I’ve seen mentioned on this board could be ordered, but I’m afraid time might be of the essence?
I’m attaching pics of poo, the chicken named Nunu, and a video I took last night. In the video, you can see the labored breathing, head scratching, and sneezing. Sorry it’s so dark, but it was taken later at night.
Please let me know if there’s any other info that could be of assistance!
A little info on my setup, in case it helps:
-Im located in central Maryland. The weather had been a comfortable 70-85 when symptoms started.
-I hatched chicks myself, from eggs I received from a friend who’s birds have always been healthy.
-They were brooded indoors, and moved outside to coop at about 7-8 weeks old.
-They are eating Dumor chick starter, and always have access to grit.
-They have a grass/dirt run in the yard, and get supervised free ranging almost daily.
-Coop has ventilation, but it’s lacking ( TSC prefab got another sucker right here!), so bedding is emptied and replaced every couple days until their new coop is built.
Symptoms started about 2 weeks ago:
-Sneezing with clear mucus (but only when she sneezes)
-Breathing sounded normal until this morning, where her nose sounds a bit stuffy. No wheezing or coughing I’ve heard.
-Head scratching and shaking (mouth and throat look clear)
-Eyes are clear and alert
-No odd odors coming from anywhere on her
-Diminished appetite (but happily eats treats and drinking water)
-Pale face and comb/wattle
-Puffed up feathers
-Tail down, neck pulled in
-Dark, thick poop (smelled different than the other chicks cecal poo)
-Green poop for the last couple days
-Crop seems to be filling and emptying as it should be.
-I noticed last night while she was perched on my shoulder that her belly sounds bubbly and I’m pretty sure she farted on my head
I brought her inside for about two days last week to start Corid and let her rest. She perked up and seemed to be doing better so I put her back out with the group, but symptoms returned within a day or so. I brought her back inside, where she’ll stay until I can figure out what’s going on.
I’ve treated her and my 6 other chickens with 5 days of Corid. I figured it couldnt hurt. I read on here to do 5 days on, 5 off, then 5 on again. We’re on day 4 of the “off” period. She is the only chicken exhibiting any symptoms. Taking her to a vet isn’t completely off the table, but it would absolutely take a significant toll on my finances with Christmas coming up. I have no antibiotics on hand, but Tylan can be easily acquired. Other antibiotics I’ve seen mentioned on this board could be ordered, but I’m afraid time might be of the essence?
I’m attaching pics of poo, the chicken named Nunu, and a video I took last night. In the video, you can see the labored breathing, head scratching, and sneezing. Sorry it’s so dark, but it was taken later at night.
Please let me know if there’s any other info that could be of assistance!