Equiem
Chirping
I've been keeping hens since March of this year. They're rescue ex-batts and I have already lost 2 of the 5 I started with, been to the vets with another and now one of the others is unwell. I've dealt with a lot since keeping them - the first prolapsed after one week so I had to learn things FAST.
Anyway, this morning I went to let the chickens out and one didn't emerge. I opened the door to their coop to find Gertrude eating a yolk!! Initially I thought it was hers but after cleaning the poop out of their coop and garden area, I noticed Hetty (smallest chicken but the boss lady and usually very loud) hunched in the corner. On inspection I noticed she had egg whites around her vent and when inspecting a little closer I could see shell in her vent. So I bought her in and plopped her in a warm bath. With the help of my mum, I inspected further. I got some blunt headed tweezers and gently pulled at the shell. Originally thought it was a small piece of hard shell but I pulled out a large piece of soft shell and hoped it was all of it. She lays small eggs as she is a petite hen. I gloved up and lubed up and gently felt in her vent and felt nothing else.
Anyway, I dried her off and gave her some asprin then found another problem - her crop. It's not hard so isn't impacted (dealt with this before) but it also doesn't feel like sour crop (dealt with this before too) - it isn't bubbly, there's no smell. Her crop is plum sized but feels spongy with very few pieces of food in there. She is lethargic, not drinking and not really eating although she perked up at the offering of cheese. I've plonked her in the house with some recovery formula. If she pulls through the night and is still unwell, I will take her to the vets but currently wanting some advice on what I can do for now!
Any advice is appreciated
- What could be wrong with the crop?
- What steps should I take overnight?
Anyway, this morning I went to let the chickens out and one didn't emerge. I opened the door to their coop to find Gertrude eating a yolk!! Initially I thought it was hers but after cleaning the poop out of their coop and garden area, I noticed Hetty (smallest chicken but the boss lady and usually very loud) hunched in the corner. On inspection I noticed she had egg whites around her vent and when inspecting a little closer I could see shell in her vent. So I bought her in and plopped her in a warm bath. With the help of my mum, I inspected further. I got some blunt headed tweezers and gently pulled at the shell. Originally thought it was a small piece of hard shell but I pulled out a large piece of soft shell and hoped it was all of it. She lays small eggs as she is a petite hen. I gloved up and lubed up and gently felt in her vent and felt nothing else.
Anyway, I dried her off and gave her some asprin then found another problem - her crop. It's not hard so isn't impacted (dealt with this before) but it also doesn't feel like sour crop (dealt with this before too) - it isn't bubbly, there's no smell. Her crop is plum sized but feels spongy with very few pieces of food in there. She is lethargic, not drinking and not really eating although she perked up at the offering of cheese. I've plonked her in the house with some recovery formula. If she pulls through the night and is still unwell, I will take her to the vets but currently wanting some advice on what I can do for now!
Any advice is appreciated
- What could be wrong with the crop?
- What steps should I take overnight?