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

[Minnie&Moose]

Any advice re getting some flesh back on our lovely cochin Magda please?. She's lost a lot of weight in the last few weeks (doesn't seem to have fully recovered from her moult). The vet examined her very carefully today and noticed that she was very yellow - not just her feet but her eyelids and around her beak. She is a bird who looks quite yellowy when she's off lay as she is now (and sweet corn & maize are not regular parts of her diet) but I think he may be right that she's more yellow than usual, so we're preparing ourselves for the idea it may be a liver related problem. But while she's still lively and apparently 'happy' we've decided to try antibiotics in case it's some sort of infection that might respond. She was very happy to graze the lawn this afternoon (she's always loved her greens!) and she ate a little sweet corn, some mixed corn, and some mealworms, but she wouldn't touch pellet porridge (which is usually a big hit). I'll get her some undyed fishing maggots tomorrow - but any other suggestions most welcome. Thanks.

[libby22]

Hi

 

I am sorry about Magda, but you are doing all the right things with her food. I would highly recommend Avipro pre and probiotic powder. I should get commission, as I recommend it so much

 

The pack states it is really good for birds who are stressed, undergoing vet treatments or on antibiotics. It also contains vitamins A, C and E and electrolytes and I see a big difference in my girls when they are on this. We also give some to the dog and cat if they are off colour as they can all have it

 

The main thing though, is that it will allow Magda to get as many nutrients from her food as possible, before it is flushed out of her system and this seems to be the key thing for them. The tub isn't very expensive and lasts for ages, as you can just mix it with a small dish of food.

[Minnie&Moose]

Thanks for the suggestion re avipro - I'll get some for her. She's eating maggots, corn, pears, grass and pasta very happily but still won't touch layers pellets or pellets made into 'porridge'. But at least she went to bed with a full crop - and we've got quite good at getting tablets down her - turns out the device I use for the cat also works a treat on chickens

[Egluntyne]

Am surprised that your vet didn't mention that the yellow pigments build up in hens which aren't laying. They are leeched out again when the hen goes back into lay.

 

I'd cut back on the treats and give her the pellets mixed with the water into a mush. She will hold out for treats if she knows you will provide them.

[Minnie&Moose]

Thanks Egluntyne - Magda did finally eat some pellet porridge this afternoon which is progress. She's also looking more perky so I'll try holding back on the extras tomorrow to see if she'll go for this more enthusiastically again.

 

re her yellowness and being off lay - yes, I'm not sure the vet was aware of that (he's always willing to have a go with a chicken but I don't think he would consider himself an expert with them).