help with sick chooks please

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Yesterday one of my small crossbred chooks didn't want to get of perch or go an free reange. Found huddled in a corner in the yard as if she was freezing, saw her eat a little. Got her of the perch last night and brought her in, she seems to be ok. She hasn't had much fun for a while, she has always been a bit of a loner and recently the rooster has been giving her a hard time. Her she is quite bald not around the vent but more on the rump. Oh checked the vent area, no prolapse Now this morning another one is huddled, not interested in food, moving very slowly. No runny eyes. First chook was treated for lice, pen has been treated four weeks ago. Its easter Sunday! What can I do? Thanks.

-- Fiona (fidel@netconnect.com.au), March 30, 2002

Answers

Isolate the sick chooks, if you can, so that if they have an infection, they will not spread it to the others. As chooks are most prone to respiratory infections, keep a look out for signs of respiratory disease(s). If any of the others start showing the same signs, then isolate them and try to stop it from spreading to all you chooks, until you decide how to treat/or if you need to treat.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), March 30, 2002.

Thanks, I've got them isolated and take it from there.

-- Fiona (fidel@netconnect.com.au), March 30, 2002.

More info please:

What is her color like? Pale comb?

Is her chest bony? Is her abdomen hard?

What does their poop look like? Details like color & consistancy sometimes helps with finding a diagnosis.

You say she ate a little...how much does she have anything in her crop?

Could these birds have eaten anything that was spoiled or moldy?

How old is she?

I would keep both of the sick birds separate from the flock.

If they don't have any food in their crop, then try tempting them with something they really like. Mine LOVE the yolks from boiled eggs and cat food, but yours might not. Both are high in protein.

If they really seem cold, then give them a heat lamp. Depending on what bug they have they might need the extra heat.

-- Margarete (forpippin@earthlink.net), March 31, 2002.


This link allows you to diagnose your chicken diseases by symptoms Mississippi State Univ., http://www.msstate.edu/dept/poultry/dismain.htm

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), March 31, 2002.

Thanks everyone, esp, Margaret who has helped me off the list. The enthusiasm and support people offer on this list is remarkable and fun.

-- Fiona (fidel@netconnect.com.au), April 02, 2002.


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