Page 139 - Hand rearing birds second

124 Hand-Rearing Birds

Figure 7.2 Lice eggs (nits) encrusted at the base of feathers.

have their own type of flea, the stick‐tight flea, which is usually found on facial skin and on the
comb. Poultry also have their own type of tick.
Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat: Hold the bird’s mouth open and gently extend the head and neck so
that the mouth and esophagus can be visualized. Note any lesions in the mouth, including in the
choanal opening. Whitish masses may indicate a yeast or parasitic infection (possibly Candida
albicans and Trichomonas gallinae, respectively) or a systemic fowl pox infection. An avian veteri-
narian can differentiate these conditions with additional testing. Shine a penlight or small flash-
light down the trachea (or transilluminate across the trachea) and look carefully for tiny red worms
known as gapeworms (Syngamous trachea). Care must be taken during this procedure because
gapeworms reduce breathing capacity, and added stress can asphyxiate the birds. Look carefully at
the eyes and note whether the eyes appear clear or cloudy. Note whether the bird appears blind in
one or both eyes. Note whether they have pus or other discharge around the eyes that can indicate
infection or irritation. Is nasal discharge present, and, if so, what does it look like (thick, frothy,
bloody, watery, opaque)?
Cardiovascular: Heart rate is difficult to assess in chicks owing to birds’ normally high heart
rate. Examine mucous membranes of the mouth (or just inside the vent) and describe color. Pale
pink color (in light pigmented birds) may indicate anemia, poor perfusion (blood reaching tissues),
or blood loss. Birds with dark or blue pigmented skin are difficult to assess.
Respiratory: Is the bird having difficulty breathing? Is it rasping, gasping, or coughing?
Gastrointestinal: Examine the vent area. Are there signs of diarrhea such as dried, crusted feces
around the vent and adherent to surrounding feathers? Are there worms in any adherent feces?
Evaluation of internal parasites is best done with a fecal examination by a local veterinary clinic.
Neurological: Is the bird able to walk? Does the bird exhibit gait abnormalities, incoordination,
lameness, or leg weakness? When resting, does the bird have tremors (other than shivering)?
Does the bird rest on its hocks? Is the bird stargazing (turning its head so that it is looking toward
the sky)?
When receiving many chicks, it may not be practical to perform physical exams on all birds. In
this situation, observe all birds as a group before handling individual birds. Note their general
appearance, behavior, and gait. Performing physical examinations on a few representative birds
can provide a quick overview of what may be going on with other birds in the flock.