Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Clur]

Blodwyn has been a little quieter than usual over the past few days and two days ago her comb went very floppy, her ears had gone from red to mostly white and she was very hunched up. I've checked her over and she's not lost weight, but she is featherless on her undercarriage though no sign of lice or mites of any kind.

 

My first thought was worms, and though they were wormed with flubenvet 6 weeks ago, I've started them on another course. I've also added some tonic to their water and a little poultry spice to their pellets (using some animal-grade cod liver oil to bind it together).

 

I'm not sure it's a softy-egg as there's no evidence of her not laying, but it's difficult to tell as they lay in the bushes and keep changing where they lay.

 

Her ears are a little redder today but she's still not 100% and still hunched. I wouldn't usually worry as I'd treat for worms or assume she's trying to pass a soft egg, but the ears going white and comb going floppy had me a little concerned.

 

Anyone got any suggestions?

Edited August 4, 2010 by Guest

[Tiggy]

one of mine was like this a few weeks ago, just I was thinking about a vet visit she laid a softie & was right as rain again, Im no expert & Im sure someone will be a long soon

[Tutti Frutti]

Mine are usually softies too but Ursula turned out to have sour crop Have you felt her crop at all? Aww bless her

[Clur]

No squishy crop and she's got some colour back in her ears and her comb's not so floppy. I have noticed she's drinking quite a lot - the others go straight for the pellets when they are let out of the eglu while she goes straight for the water.

 

I haven't seen how much of the pellets she's eating, but she's eating the food I am putting out with the Flubenvet. She's not 100% as she's still a little lethargic so keeping an eye on her at the moment. If she doesn't pick up soon I'll take her to the vets but am leaving that as a last resort as she doesn't like to be handled and I don't want to stress her out.

[chelsea]

Any feather loss by any chance? My Maran is moulting at the moment and not her perky self.

 

Keep an eye on her as I am sure you will.

[Clur]

A bare tum but no other sign of moult.

 

She's eating, drinking and hasn't lost weight so my mind says she'll be fine, but I just don't like her not being herself. She's still hunched and tail down so obviously feeling poorly.

 

[Tutti Frutti]

I'm not far from you - let me know if you'd like some NutriDrops for her

[Chucky Mama]

Have a check of her abdomen for any tightness or fluid.

[Plum]

Lethargic and pale would make me check the house for redmite

[Clur]

All clear on the mites and lice front thankfully and her ears are red again.

 

I'll check her abdomen for tightness or fluid tomorrow, thanks for the pointer.

 

Tutti Frutti, what are nutri drops? Not come across them before.

 

 

DH was on chook duty today as I had to work late and Blodwyn is still hunched and tail down and hasn't left the run today we don't think. He found an eggshell in the run - small egg, shell seemingly fused together an no signs of any egg white or yolk having been in it, though of course one of the girls may have eaten it. Wonder if that's of any significance?

 

I suspect we might need a visit to the vet :-/

[Tutti Frutti]

I can recommenda vet called Charlotte at Kynochs in Wokingham 01189 979 0551.

 

Nutri drops are here £10.99 in Wyevale garden centre just down the road!

 

Good luck, fingers firmly crossed here.

[Clur]

That's perfect, thanks Tutti Frutti! I'll let you know how we get on. You said you're not too far from me, so if I can return the favour if you ever need anything, let me know.

 

Thanks,

Clur

[Clur]

An update: I was actually home before it was dark today, so went out to check on Blodwyn again. Although last time I checked there were no creepies on her, I actually found what I presume to be lice of some sort this time round. They remind me of mini-headlice if that makes sense?

 

We had red mite barrier powder and so I've doused her in that and will get some of the Johnsons anti-mite/louse spray tomorrow. Is there anything else I can do? I've put diamatous earth in the run and eglu and will jet-wash it all down this weekend.

 

I am presuming that although the other girls aren't showing signs of infestation, I should treat them as a precaution.

 

Argh, this is the first time this has happened since we've had chooks!