Dave_McMinn

Mites cause scale, scale builds up under the ring causing circulation to be restricted, causing swelling, causing ring to cut into the leg, causing infection. Cutting off the ring allows the circulation to restore itself (unless it's been left too long), allowing the swelling and infection to reduce and be treated. I am really glad that you have saved her, don't get me wrong just as I said, personally I would have left the ivermectin treatment until after I was sure the hen was in a stable condition as it will not boost her ability to recover from the infection/swelling. Once she is stronger and looking perky, THEN I would administer the treatment to deal with the less urgent matter of the scale mites. Just a precaution in my mind, as stressing an already ill bird is probably not something I'd want to do. But as I said, I'm very glad you were able to save her and glad that she handled it well. This is my point, she was in a stable condition. I did not notice the infection on her leg, or the swelling, or anything was really wrong because she sat there fluffed up or did not move, or anything like that. She was tough to catch. She was not thin. She is jumping back and forth in the hospital cage, ready to get out. She calls out to the other birds and is looking to rejoin them, chewing up the paper and running around the front of the cage, looking for the exit. If I did not know what her leg first looked like, I would not think there was anything wrong with this bird. I think that more stress comes from being caught and seperated from others than by putting a spot of ivermectin on her head. She was in a stable condition. She had been eating and flying well. No issues there. I know you are a more experienced breeder than me, and I do appreciate your thoughts on this. I suppose we will all have different thoughts. What is important is that she is well ont he way to recovery.

I hope so, she is definitely in my plans for the breeding season.

Maybe Kaz. I teach IT for a living, so these "Oil of Olay" hands never get too roughed up Only at footy training, concreting, gardening, and a few other places -

It looked worse than it was I think. Health wise, she is good, apart from the leg. Eating well, definitely not under weight. I think she looked worse when she went into the hospital cage because of the blood, but I never thought she was a "goner"

There is nothing wrong with having soft skin and sensitive hands thank you. Not all of us what the hands of a brickies labourer. If you do, and you are successful, then congratulations on your achievement -

I have found that the infection occurs in direct correlation with the mites, so there is a need to kill the mites or the infection will never cease. That is what i have found in the past, and if the recovery of this bird is anything to go by, I would do the very same thing in the future. If, as suspected, the mites have caused the swelling of the leg, and thus the infection, how do you propose to stop the swelling without killing the mites? I have given her one drop of ivermectin and all appears to be going well.

I hear you. They bite me, the first time, shame on them. The second time, shame on me!!!!

I took some new photos to show her progress. The infection has been ovecome and it is now scabbing up. The puss is gone and the foot is healing up well. She is eating, drinking and chewing the paper on the botom of the cage as she looks for a way out. She will be fine. I am pleased as she is a very nice bird.

My hands have always been soft Ross, thus the gloves. I cannot help having sensitive skin -

Thanks mate, but I would argue I am far from it. We will see how I go when I bring some birds along to the next meeting, which is not this friday but next I think. That might be interesting, if they are not down to breed, or covered in beetroot stains - lol

It looks like scaley face mites might have been the reason. I will do the second drop if she does not appear to be healing up as fast as I initially thought. One more drop will help her overcome this - that is what I have found in the past.

lovely birds

I was in the aviary the other day and I thought I spotted something on the foot of one of my birds. I went for a closer look and they all scattered. I knew it was a green opaline, and I have 3 or 4, so that made it easier to search. I caught 2 birds, and they were fine. I then caught the 3rd bird and I saw what the issue was. Her leg was heavily swollen, with the ring cutting into her leg. There was a big swollen puss ball where her leg meets her foot, and I realised I had to fix her now. I went and got the budgie ring cutters and some ivermectin. I set up a hospital cage and got some betadine. Here is my hospital cage I went back into the aviary and caught the bird again. Looking at her perching, there were no visible signs of illness. Since this hen has very good feather, the infection and swelling were hidden under her ample feather. She sat normally so there was no evidence that she was not well. I cut the ring off, but that was an issue in itself. Releasing the ring meant some bleeding. She ended up with some blood on her lower chest area. This is her yesterday placed in the hospital cage. I sat her on the perch for a minute. She was obviously a little traumatised as i caught her again by hand. Taking her inside, I ran some warm water and gently washed her leg, foot and body, trying to remove the blood. I put some betadine on her foot and leg, and a drop of ivermectin on the back of her head. She is in a hospital cage insdie with a warm lamp. Come last night, she was chatting away to some other birds in another room. This morning she looked a whole lot better. She was never fluffed up or sick, just that the leg looked terrible and she may have lost it unless treated. The red around her beak is from beetroot, not blood. Do not fear something bad has happened there. This is her this morning, looking and feeling better. Note the feathers in the picture below, this is what makes it hard to see the leg/foot on some show birds. She will get her leg and foot washed and dried again tonight, some more betadine. Maybe another drop of ivermectin tomorrow or Wednesday, but come the end of the week, I think she will be back in the aviary, or maybe she will be in the new breeding shed for a rest. So what causes it? A little bit of dirt or grit caught between the leg ring can do it. Nothing you can really do to prevent it. Try to keep things clean, but it happens. This is why it pays to be prepared and have all the resources you need in an emergency. I will keep you updated on her progress.

Neither can the birds

A few red faced pics due to beetroot, and at the end, a still growing quiche hanging out with the big boys Too civilized for this behaviour Quiche and the big boys

Well, I packed up the old shed and sold it. It has moved on to a new home. To fit my new shed that will be my breeding room I needed to extend the slab slightly - the length of the slab was not a problem, it is just that the fence is on an angle, and at one end it was too narrow for the shed, so the slab was extended by a metre. The shed should fit easily now. The slab will have the chance to set this week, with the new shed going up Saturday.

Samara hey? You know you will call her Sammy!!! She does look very healthy in the pics you posted

Yellow one is a YF type 2 recessive pied cobalt blue and I am going to say male White one is an opaline sky blue recessive pied and I am going to say female The blue one is an opaline YF type 2 cobalt and I am going to say female. The YF hen will most probably end up a green looking bird. You can already see some of the yellow washing through the blue, giving a green appearance. I have to say, I am not sure why you have 3 birds. It would be much better, space willing, to have an even number, as this means they can pair up. Not for breeding, but rather for things such as company, for feeding and preening each other, and the like. With an unever number, someone is always left out of a pair, and that usually leads to squabbling and fighting. In my opinion, it is rare that this does NOT happen.

You do no need any help, you were told this is normal. Hens will remove feathers to allow their body heat to more easily be transferred to eggs. This is normal. Stop worrying and asking for help when all the advice you have been given is telling you that what you described is perfectly normal.

Something that means determined or strong would be appropriate, that is what I am thinking

Now this chick is one that you think will die, but survives, and it has earned a name. Lazarus was famous for coming back from the dead.

i think it looks great. You ahve done a really good job GB, as have those who assisted you. Well done.

My suggestion is one you are not going to like - but if you want any birds in there, the only ones I would suggest are quails, nothing else.

good to see