Sooo much pooping

[surfer_chicken]

I noticed on Monday afternoon that one of our chickens, Gingy (1 half year old gingernut), had very pale wattles and some patches of pale on her comb. If my computer skills are up to scratch, there should be a picture here:

 

 

The quality isn't overly good, as our camera is broken, so I had to bring her inside and try to position her in front of our webcam. If you can't see, the lower part of her wattles are a very pale pink, and there's a clear pale spot on her comb if you look directly up from her eye (it looks a lot more dramatic in person).

 

I've given her a basic health check, and there are no signs of any ticks or mites; she seems to be her normal weight (she's always been small compared to the other two) and her nostrils are clear. The only other worrying sign is she's normally incredibly lively (chasing flies and jumping on top of the eglu run etc). but since Monday she has been less interested in fighting with the other girls over treats and has been taking afternoon naps by herself, which is very out of character for her.

 

I just wander what could be wrong with her and what I can do to get her back to her normal self?

(If it helps, all three of the girls are malting at the moment)

[Egluntyne]

I'd worm her, if this hasn't been done recently.

[surfer_chicken]

I'll buy some at the weekend and worm the others just incase.

Thanks

[Sue]

Hi It might be several things including:-

 

Worms (as suggested)

Red Mite - they have been particularly troublesome during the hot weather, and can make hens anemic

She might be getting fowl pox - makes them feel miserable and off colour, but they usually get over it fine though it is contagious

She might just be going into the annual moult - has she been laying for a year, are there more feathers around than usual?

 

all the best

Sue

[surfer_chicken]

She's on her second day of Verm-x course.

She's nearly finished her annual moult, so I don't think it would be that as she's been fine so far.

 

The right side of her face is now swollen and puffy, the left is fine except being a little pale. I've also seen her breathing through her mouth instead of her nose, looking as though she's gasping, although there is no abnormal noise.

[Sue]

Sound as though she's coming down with something, but probably too early to tell what. If she's a pet maybe a trip to the vet, unless anyone else on the board has had experience of this. So sorry she's poorly Sue

[Egluntyne]

The swelling to the face could be a sign of mycoplasma, in which case a trip to the vet is probably wise.

 

Any bubbly discharge from the eyes?

 

Might be best to separate her from the others for the time being.

[surfer_chicken]

I'll try and get her to the vets tomorrow and see what they say. There's no discharge from her eyes yet, but I'm starting to get quite worried about her. We're supposed to be going on holiday next Saturday, but I don't really want to leave the neighbours with a poorly bird!