Ammonia smell in coop-first time owner

[Roobaloo]

We're on the edge of progress... She keeps showing signs she's getting better...but it's very slow.

 

I'm more concerned now that there's a developing problem as the 'bad' foot seems to turn in more now...whether she's doing this because it's more comfortable or whether it's healing this way, I can't tell...but I'm reluctant to try and 'set' it in a different position until she's got some strength to stand up on her own!! We're getting there...I've been lifting her and gently trying to get her to take her own weight and last night she managed it!! Only for a second before she slowly sank back down but it's a start...and she's started to try to lift herself up now...she sticks her bottom in the air and tries really hard! Bless her!

 

We're currently rigging up a support harness so she can stand up and move around a few times each day (rather than be taped and dangled in a box) The plan is to get her used to walking about herself, with her weight supported...then to lower the support a little and encourage her with a treat to stand the rest of the way, then gradually lower it until she can push up from the ground. That's the theory at least.

 

I do keep wondering if it's fair to keep her like this but she's on a soft warm surface, she's eating, drinking and alert...and while she's still trying, I think she deserves to be given a chance...

[scarlettohara]

If she is not in obvious pain then keep trying, perhaps you could try the cardboard shoe again when she is stronger ?

[Roobaloo]

She's obviously a bit unhappy and when I pick her up she gets a little shouty but then that's to be expected, she's been 'manhandled' a lot lately...by the Vet and by me getting her in and out of her sling. She only screams if something is really wrong, like when she caught her toe in the padding...you can handle, move and lightly squeeze her legs and the volume stays the 'normal' "I don't want this" noise.

 

I'll definitely try corrective treatment once she's up and about again!

 

She had her first mealworm today...she was very puzzled by it (it was live) and then got very excited...so I've left a couple more in the brooder with her (they're hiding in the bedding) so if she hears or sees them, it might just encourage her to move a bit more!! But it was so good to see her so bright and bubbly!!

[scarlettohara]

Great idea to keep her interested with 'live' food - my skyline had a baby blue tit in her mouth the other day; I had to euthanase it as it was all pecked

[Roobaloo]

Oh no!!! Poor lil thing!

 

 

Lil'un has taken a few steps forward...I think the mealworms did inspire her as her brooder has been a mess (paper lifted and food spilt) every time I've gone to check on her, so I think she's looking for them!! She even tried to get up this morning, she lifted her hocks up very briefly but sadly fell over...but that main thing is that she's trying now!!

 

However, her foot is looking bad again. She has been sat with it flat, toes spread...and the same during her physio...but now she's reluctant to 'walk' (supported) and closing it/holding it close to her body when she's lifted. So I think we've overdone it...so she's back in her sling and her wings are gently tied down with a pipe cleaner (the reason we took her out the sling early was because we couldn't stop her flapping and she kept twisting round) and she seems quite content again, so I wonder if the leg was getting uncomfortable again...?

 

I'm still worried about her but she's so bright and alert lately, I'm feeling a bit more positive that we'll find a solution.

My biggest worry at the moment is water - how much should she be drinking each day? She probably has a bottle cap full each day of water... (the cap is off a 1.5l bottle of water - about 3cm diameter and 1cm deep...if that helps! )

[scarlettohara]

Don't know about the water but they only look like they dip their beak in at 7 weeks so it's probably enough.