6 yr old hen stopped eating

[Maryjeannette]

I have a 6 yr old NH red that has stopped eating. She is drinking but when she pecks at food she doesn’t swallow the food. I’ve checked her over and there doesn’t seem to be anything obvious. It has been a few days and now her crown is falling over. Any ideas?? Thank so much.

 

[Isaac 0]

How is she doing? When was the last time she laid an egg, how does her crop feel, how does her breath smell?

 

[aart]

When I have a bird that is acting off I isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so I can closely monitor their intake of food and water, crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed), and their poops. Feel their abdomen, from below vent to between legs, for squishy or hard swelling. Check for external parasites or any other abnormalities.

Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.

Welcome to BYC @Maryjeannette ..sorry you're having troubles.
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