louise76 Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 Me again, sorry life is so hectic I only seem to post with crises! Our French Maran is a strange old bird. She was sold to us at point of lay 10 weeks ago, and in all that time has laid one V small yolkless egg. I'm inclined to suspect rather than a young lady she's an old bird but have no idea how to age a chicken.... She keeps herself to herself, isn't picked on by the others but is very much a loner. Doesn't come and eat not like the other dustbins and is generally a bit sulky. She does drink a fair bit compared to the others. In the last 2 weeks she has lost a bit of weight, initially we thought she was moulting but no she has lost weight. She has no temp, no skin parasites we can see, has been wormed and vaccinated for just about everything. Doesn't have a bloated tummy or any indication of egg bound/peritonitis. She does however have the raggiest feathers you ever saw and what looks like dandruff. They have a vitamin tonic and cider vinegar in the drinkers, layers mash with garlic powder and poultry spice, plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and occasionaly treats of pasta or rice. But to be fair Minnie (the maran) shuns these and will pick at the mash and likes strawberries and asparagus (Posh tart!). All the other birds are incredibly healthy and blooming! Plus smashing little layers Help! Thanks Liz 2 Babcock rangers (Edna and Lucy) 2 Calder rangers (Ada and Doris) 1 French maran (Minnie.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceychristie Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 If she's eating and drinking ok, then that's a good sign. Have you picked her up and 'ruffled' her feathers (they don't like this) and checked for eggs or mites near or on the base of the feathers? Is the messy plumage recent, or has she been raggy for weeks? Stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 Why not post a picture so we can guesstime her age? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louise76 Posted June 4, 2010 Author Share Posted June 4, 2010 Thank you! We've checked her all over and cannot see any eggs/mites. None in the hen house either. None of the others showing signs. She hasn't always looked raggy, that's a new thing the last couple of weeks, which was why we thought she was moulting. The dandruff is like little tubes off the bottom of the feathers, that's probably the easiest way to describe it. I'm going now to take a photo of her and send it to DH the technical whizz and see if he can upload it in some form here! She's currently on her own in a puppy crate in the shade with her own drinker. I don't normally keep my girls in crates, but I thought i ought isolate her as she looked so ropey today. Thanks ever so much Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louise76 Posted June 4, 2010 Author Share Posted June 4, 2010 Here she is, she isn't in full sunlight as the pic would suggest I had to move the crate a bit to be able to take the pic. She has a rug draped over the roof and 3 sides. http://www.slimey.org/pics/misc/sick_minnie.jpg She looks 'better' than she did this morning, and got up and had a stroll around the crate after I took the pic'. I did notice though she had bits of white poo (wee?) stuck to her tail feathers. But given some of it was above her nethers I think it might be where she was sat in it. Not eating but she is still drinking. I can't seem to tempt her with anything. She does want corn - just a little. But I don't want to give her too much on a warm day like today. Thanks again Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 She doesn't look in the first flush of youth, in that picture at least. The raggy feathers and dandruffy tubes do indicate a badly times moult. The thirst might suggest something is going on with her kidneys. Might be as well to take her to the vet for a check over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louise76 Posted June 4, 2010 Author Share Posted June 4, 2010 Been out tonight and let her out for a stroll through the veggie garden, (She couldn't believe her luck ). My other half gave her a good once over tonight with me reading salient bits from our Haynes Chicken Manual We again couldn't see anything more wrong than a moult and all skin and bones. She was very upright and proper strolling in the veg patch, and came back to the crate and wolfed down a handful of corn........ Thank you again for all the help and I'll give our vet a ring Monday. Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louise76 Posted June 5, 2010 Author Share Posted June 5, 2010 We have hand fed her baby food this morning - Hipp Organic apple and pear with rice queue me hoping I didn't bump into a friend whilst perusing the baby aisle in Boots earlier. She's also had some corn and water, and we're starting to see proper droppings again. Wee bit runny still but looking 'better'....... We also remembered we had Baytril and Metacam the vet prescribed when our Cream Legbar had a chest infection, so we've swung that into action. All in all a much happier Minnie today. She's managed a stroll round the veg garden and eaten a few dandelions. So hopefully things are on the up. Thanks again. This place is brilliant. Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
