Ailing hen makes a comeback from alfalfa impaction

[clifonti]

I want to share with everyone the positive results of my first medical crisis with my hen, Miss Friendly. For three days she sequestered herself from the rest of the flock; roosting quietly, looking sad, and head tucked into her shoulders. At first I thought she was succumbing to the never-ending winter blues. I brought her in during the day to warm up, fed her yogurt and scrambled eggs and she seemed to perk up for a short time. I palpated her crop and belly and all seemed well in those areas. Next day she reverted to her ailing self. With nothing to loose, I injected some mineral oil in her vent. And by the third day, she pooped a mass the size of a pullet egg consisting of tiny bits of compacted alfalfa. I give alfalfa as a treat once in a while to the flock, but never again!

Anyway, the point here is that somewhere on this message board I had read to inject mineral oil for an eggbound hen. As it turned out she wasn't eggbound but the mineral oil worked anyway. Thank you backyardchickens for your tips and advice!

 

[hinkjc]

I'm glad to hear your bird is making a recovery. Good for you for trying some out of the box thinking to resolve her problem.

Hay and grass products are not recommended for use with birds due to this issue. The particles are not small enough for them to digest properly when consumed.