Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption
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Hannah
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Unwell chicken - mucky bottom and droopy comb ...?Over the last day or so one of my Warrens has seemed a bit off colour with the above symptons, plus she isn't rushing out to eat, although when she does get there she does eat. I had a quick look at her and couldn't see any mites etc - does anyone have any ideas?
I'll give them all a good dusting again tonight with louse and red mite powder.
Thanks!
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Woodburner
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How old is she and is she ex-bat? Sounds like the sort of situation my MIL would give her two chances . . . 
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Mutton
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No suggestion as to cause.
As to cure
Droopy comb=dehydration.
When our chicken, including Warren, look like this we:
1. Make up a mix of honey and water (or glucose) anyway, easily absorbed sugar. Put it in a syringe and trickle it in the side of the beak a bit at a time. Need to be careful to give time for swallowing so they don't drown. Usually follow up with pure water. Try for 20cc every couple of hours in terms of liquid.
2. Sit them somewhere warm, maybe on a bit hotter than you can leave your hand on but some way off boiling hot water bottle wrapped in towels.
3. See if they perk up over the space of a couple of hours thanks to sugar and water. Try them with tempting food. Defrosted sweetcorn, porridge, sultanas. Make sure they can tuck away from the others, not be bullied, get some sleep. On hot sunny days try putting them somewhere safe in the sun for half an hour to get those rays - but babysit and keep an eye so they don't overheat.
4. Seen yoghurt suggested on Downsizers, not tried it myself but it re-starts sheep rumen, so maybe helps chickens too.
Chickens metabolisms run hotter than ours so they cook off bacteria. If they have a suppressed temperature then they can fall ill to bacteria. Hence heating them up a bit but not too much.
We have nursed sick chickens too poorly to bother moving around by popping them in the bath overnight on a heap of hay with wrapped hot water bottle - the bath washes clean and you can easily check on them, though they probably won't be too keen on drinking in the middle of the night.
One or two chicken have come back for a bit after a week of nursing. Long term success rate - about 50%.
Unless you are certain red mite or lice are the problem, go easy with any insecticide powder. Accumulation of that in the blood stream of the chicken can't be entirely healthy.
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welsh veg grower
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check she isnt egg bound, have had others which have consitpation. Sounds a bit like she is in need of fluids try a few drops of water with sugar added.
sorry not much help I know but dont pick her up and fuss her too much.
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chicken feed
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i agree with welsh veg grower especially with the fussing too much
i have a modern game cock bird that was unwell he was fussed over so much that on the day he was going to market, he made up a lovely trio we booked him in then opened the crate there he was looking awful so i unbooked him sold the pullets took him home to neck oh what a surprise to find him fit and well, hes going to have another ride to market in the next week or two with two more girls.
who said they were bird brains?
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