Ammonia smell in coop-first time owner

[BHC]

Little (a Plymouth Rock) has been going through her first moult. Well, I have assumed that is what it is. Losing lots of feathers, stopped laying, and new feathers coming through. However, this has been going on for at least 2 months, and she is still losing feathers. She also has a rather bauld bottom, which is looking swollen and red. I don't know whether this is just because it is bauld, and therefore looks bigger, but it is very red. Quills seem to have been coming through there for a while, but not developing into feathers (I'm assuming she is plucking them out) She generally seems her usual friendly self, but isn't so keen on being picked up, which I have heard is compatible with a moult, and new feathers being sharp. But she has had a few days of looking "under the weather"

 

I have checked as well as I can for lice, and there seems no evidence of red mite. The other 2 chooks seem ok.

 

Anyone have any ideas as to what is going on? How long does a moult usually last? Should I get her checked out at the vets, even though generally she seems ok? I'd be grateful for any advice.

[err_rachael]

could she be being pecked at by the others?

[Plum]

It may be worth having a feel of her abdomen and seeing if it is fluidy which could indicate peritonitis. Maybe a visit to vet.

[BHC]

No squishiness of her abdomen. And certainly at the moment she seems a well bird. Just looking rather sore and swollen

[Plum]

If their skin is exposed to the air it does go red. Not sure about the swollen. Perhaps have a feel of the others shape

[BHC]

She now has diarrhea (sp?) and is looking rather down. The other chickens seem fine. I gave them some probiotic yoghurt yesterday, might mix some bokashi bran in it, but the other chickens are getting to it first. But she is really not herself.

 

She's usually the friendliest, but at the moment she won't go in the run at night, only after alot of coersion. She won't let me pick her up, and is just behaving very out of sorts. Oh, and I'm still finding feathers from her scattered around. She hasn't laid for months (apart from a horrid looking egg, and a soft-y)

 

Any more ideas? What should my plan of action be?

 

I'd read that pottasium permanganate could help with diarrhea, a little bit put in their water. Is this right?

[Chucky Mama]

I would have another feel of her abdomen for fluid or any tightness. May well need a trip to the vet.

[The Dogmother]

She seems to have two issues here - the swollen abdomen; when did you last worm her, and what did you use?

 

With regards to the lack of feathers, can i ask what they are being fed?

[BHC]

She doesn't seem as swollen now, which I suppose is a blessing. And they are being fed organic layers pellets, and recently some probiotic yoghurt, and some wheat as a treat.

[The Dogmother]

How many treats do they get, and when?

[BHC]

Just a handful between the three of them to get them to go to bed!

[The Dogmother]

That's fine then, I was wondering if a dietary deficiency was to blame.

 

I'd take her off layers feed to reduce the urge to lay. Give her growers feed and try her on some of that new moulting rescue (Nettex) that's out.

 

Have you witnessed any bullying? Her reluctance to go in the run may be due to some feather pulling. Whatever the reason, she need some extra nutrients to help her grow new feathers and get back to health.