What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[Chicken shack]

Jasmin looks a little under the weather. She is usually the bully. It started Tuesday morning when I was woken by the girls making a din. This is unusual. I went down to let them out of the at 6.30am into the run I found that I had locked her out. I didn't get in from work untill 9.45pm Monday evening and closed their bedroom door asuming they were all tucked up. From then on I have had to encourage her into the each evening as she has been going to sleep on the pearch outside. She is very quiet and I although she is eating a little is often standing with her head under her wing poor thing (sorry had to add that). She is just not her self. I picked her up today and checked her over, she hasn't got sour crop or enlaged compacted crop her vent looks ok, no sign of mites I regulary worm, and she is still laying. What could be wrong? I can't put my finger on it but she is just not right.

Edited July 2, 2011 by Guest

[Tweety]

How old is Jasmin? You say she is still laying - could she be brewing a softie? If any of mine are looking quiet and under the weather, it usually turns out to have been a softie on the way.

[sandyhas3chucks]

7 days is a bit long for a softee, might she have laid a softee and have the shell stuck? only a vet will be able to tell for sure. and if it is after this time she will prob need antibiotics and anti inflam

another thought too tho, might she be moulting?

what are her poos like?

Is she eating and going to bed with a full crop then coming out empty?

what wormer are you using?

[Dolly]

Just a thought but check for signs of egg white/yolk in the poo tray or nest box ie. with no shell, this is what happened to one of our girls who laid the inside but the shell got stuck inside her. We took her to a vet to have it removed and she perked up afterwards and was back to normal the next day.

[Chicken shack]

Jasmins face appears swollen and she is yawning every now and then. She is eating, drinking, laying but still ODD and last night she did put herself to bed. I would take her to the vets but the vet parctices where I live know less than me about chickens so is a pointless venture. I am hoping one of my Omleteer freinds may know what it is then I can go to he vet and get the correct treatment.

[scarlettohara]

If her face is swollen she may have mycoplasma so you will need to take her to the vet as she will need antibiotics. Get well soon Jasmine

[Dolly]

I'm certainly no expert but it does sound like Mycoplasma from my experience, the swollen face seems to be the giveaway. She'll definately need to see a vet for medication, our girl was given a course of Tylan (via the drinking water) and was back to herself a few days later. I understand it can come back in the future once they've had it.

 

If your local vet doesn't have a poultry expert, perhaps you could ring around a few others to ask if they do before you take her? Also I think there are some recommended vets listed on the forum somewhere if you do a search.

 

Good luck.

[Chicken shack]

It sounds like Mycoplasma and I am taking her tomorrow to see the vet who I know wont have a clue what is wrong. This will stress her out even more, it would make sense to just prescribe enough antibiotics for all the girls without taking her.

Edited June 22, 2011 by Guest

[scarlettohara]

Not if you explain the symptoms of myco - which are swollen sinuses which can make eyes look swollen, runny nose and eyes and generally looking unwell (my frizzle had suspected myco but only had a swollen eye and completely recovered). Also the type of antibiotic is important - Fifi had to have 2 different ones to get rid of it.

[Plum]

Just took one of mine to vet with swollen sinus and today swollen side of face. My poultry vet is away so I went armed with literature about myco, infectious coryza etc., but the treatment is the same whichever - baytril or tyalin. Ordered some over net after getting a prescription.

Most vets say they don't know a lot about poultry but are happy to listen and treat. Ask for Tyalin you only have to withdraw eggs while giving medication. Baytril isn't licensed so it's 3 weeks or never again.

 

Good luck hope she picks up.

[Chicken shack]

Just got back from the vets and was given Terramycin for all the girls. Told a porky said I had 15 birds so that I had it in stock for another time . Will need to put it in half a litre of water for 7 days. Topping up thier water once they have drank the solution. Going away Friday and leaving OH in charge The vet I saw appeared quite knowledgeable. But he did say it can be difficult to diagnose chickens.

[Plum]

15 birds must have been a premonition Meds I ordered will have plenty left over, kind of comforting.

[Chicken shack]

I returned from a weekend away, I had left DH to administer the antibiotics in their water etc. They survived DH efforts . Jasmins face is still a little swollen and she is opening her mouth wide every now and then and is still a bit quiet, but eating and laying well. I am unsure if it is mycoplasma as they are hybrids and were suppossed to have be vacinated. I really don't know what else i can do, all the others are fine. What I am asking is:- Am I doing the right thing The vet does not have a clue and she does not appear to be suffering in any way. It is me that is suuffering.

[scarlettohara]

Not what you want to hear but if the swelling doesn't completely go down then you may need to try another antibiotic - it is quite hard to shift However my vet didn't give up and Fifi recovered completely

[sandyhas3chucks]

maybe you need to find a vet that does have a clue?

There may be one nearer than you think...

It is a worry x

[Chicken shack]

I thought you might like to know that Jasmins' face is no longer swollen, no bubley eye, however she is opening her beak but less frequently now and she is still laying. If it was micoplasma or just a cold I will never know however she appears well now. I also have enough antibiotics left to treat any further outbreak in the future without taking them to the vets. Lets hope when I move there will be a chickens expert vet in the area. Thank you all for your advice.

[Plum]

Good news Mine's recovered as well apart from the odd sniff