Squab just not right?

[Grim]

I have a single squab being fostered and I recently started feeling something just isn't right with it. It is about 2 weeks old and pretty well feathered. i just compared it to a squab younger then it and they are the same size yet the younger squab isn't as well feathered. He has seed in his crop is he just not getting fed as well because the hen is about to lay again in a separate box?

It is open eyed and can walk just seems not right to me for some reason. Any input or am I over reacting?

[Snowbird Sue]

Hi Grim, I think you are just over-reacting, as it sounds like it is normal to me. I have a pair that did the same, and I am feeding their two. They did the same thing, at 2 weeks old too. Are you feeding it by hand? The male should be feeding it, although mine didn't, and I had to intervene. Hope all is well.
I am sure someone with a lot more experience comes along and gives you more advice.

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by Grim

I have a single squab being fostered and I recently started feeling something just isn't right with it. It is about 2 weeks old and pretty well feathered. i just compared it to a squab younger then it and they are the same size yet the younger squab isn't as well feathered. He has seed in his crop is he just not getting fed as well because the hen is about to lay again in a separate box?

It is open eyed and can walk just seems not right to me for some reason. Any input or am I over reacting?

Maybe it's me, but I'm confused? A single baby. 2 weeks old. Well feathered. A YOUNGER bird is the same size as the single baby? but not as well feathered? A younger bird would not be as well feathered as an older bird. As for the size, I wouldn't worry too much about that. Unless it's a HUGE difference. If he has seeds in his crop, then he's being fed. Parents sometimes will not show quite as much attention while they're preparing another nest, but they don't normally just totally forget about the baby. Just keep an eye on him I think.

[Grim]

I will he just seems very different. I approach his box and he just sits there usually they raise up and click at you. I just hope he isn't sick parents are very healthy and active.

[Charis]

If you FEEL something is wrong, it probably is. I can always tell.

[Feefo]

If you FEEL something is wrong, it probably is. I can always tell.

Me too.

Cynthia

[Trees Gray]

Have you done the pox, paratyphoid and PMV inocculations? It might be best to start this on all the youngsters since they are going to be flying outdoors.

There are several diseases that affect youngsters and will kill them, and a couple of those are paratyphoid and salmonella. Do you have the treatment for those?

[Charis]

I think they have to be weaned to vaccinate, but I'm not 100% sure about that. George or Warren would know.

[Trees Gray]

Originally Posted by Charis

I think they have to be weaned to vaccinate, but I'm not 100% sure about that. George or Warren would know.

Yep, somewhere between 6 to 8 weeks of age. It would be good to start the youngsters on this prevention as they are flying outside and avoid the possiblities of these diseases spreading if that is the case.

The parents may need to be treated and the little one, depending on what may be going on, lets hope its nothing.

[Charis]

Ya know Grim, if it was my bird, I would start the bird on amoxicillin. Then vaccinate when the bird is old enough. Have you checked the throat for signs of canker?

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by Charis

I think they have to be weaned to vaccinate, but I'm not 100% sure about that. George or Warren would know.

They can be vaccinated for PMV and Paratyphoid the day you move them to the young bird loft. Pox has to be done on all birds at the same time as you can't save it. It has to be used as soon as it's opened and mixed.
Last year, we did the vaccination thing every time I moved a bird or two or three........ . This year we're going back to catching the birds up and doing all the vaccinations at one time. But, it can be done either way.

[Grim]

I have meds for cocci, ecoli, and canker. I will check his throat out. I also don't vaccinate not sure if I could afford it.

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by Grim

I have meds for cocci, ecoli, and canker. I will check his throat out. I also don't vaccinate not sure if I could afford it.

Grim, you do what you want. It's your bird, but you haven't said anything that I read, about problems with this bird except that he "just sits there and doesn't pop" when you approach him. I don't take that as a sign that there's anything wrong. Maybe he's just a "calm" bird. I have many every year that don't "pop" when I approach them. Depends on how much they actually see you and interact with you. The babies that are in the lower boxes that I can interact with without climbing up on a stool usually tend to be a bit more relaxed than the ones in the top boxes that don't get to "see" me as much. Do his droppings look good? Does he look lathargic and sleepy and sickly?
I don't think you need to start pumping medicine into these guys "just in case". Especially at two weeks old. Like I said, it's your bird and you're there and are seeing it. Do what you think is best I guess.
As far as vaccinations.........if you're birds are out flying, you can't afford NOT TO vaccinate. Believe me, when one of your birds come home and brings some disease into your loft and you've got a bunch of sick birds, it will cost you WAY more to get them over it, not to mention any that might not even make it and just die. The vaccines don't cost THAT much. You don't have to buy it right now. Check out the prices and start saving to get them in the next couple of months.

[Charis]

Originally Posted by Lovebirds

They can be vaccinated for PMV and Paratyphoid the day you move them to the young bird loft. Pox has to be done on all birds at the same time as you can't save it. It has to be used as soon as it's opened and mixed.
Last year, we did the vaccination thing every time I moved a bird or two or three........ . This year we're going back to catching the birds up and doing all the vaccinations at one time. But, it can be done either way.

Thank you Renee. That's what I thought. Now I know you know too.

[Grim]

I will keep an eye on him. He just seems odd it is hard to explain. I will know in a few more days if I am just over reacting.

I will look into the vaccinations.