BCM Stopped Laying

[WendyTestaburger]

My BCM is a year old today. She stopped laying around May 6th. Right around the time we started construction on our run extension, so it's right next to their current run. Plus we've already had heat in the 90s this summer. Could this stress/heat cause her to stop laying or should I take her to the vet? Her comb and waddle seem a tiny bit pale sometimes, other times they look fine. She is eating and drinking fine, I switched her food a couple weeks before construction started so I'm going to try switching her back. All 5 other hens are still laying fairly regularly, she's the only one who has stopped. I've not seen her poop but I've not noticed any abnormal poop in the coop or run where they mostly hang out. She did have brown liquid spill our of her mouth when I was holding her a little too forward leaning the other day so I've started giving yogurt with probiotics everyday incase it is sour crop from new food. Is this normal for hens to stop laying for this long?

 

[aart]

This is what I do when I have abird 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.

Crop leakage when tipped does not necessarily mean they have sour crop.
Is it hot where you live?
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[WendyTestaburger]

This is what I do when I have abird 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.

Crop leakage when tipped does not necessarily mean they have sour crop.
Is it hot where you live?
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 3174791

Ok I think I updated it correctly. We are in NC. It's been pretty dang hot, low to upper 90s for weeks. All the girls are mouth breathing and panting periodically, I've been giving cold or frozen treats and ice water. We have a fan in their run and I've ordered some mist fans as well.

Their crops do feel squishy like water balloons, including this one hens, but I did go out and feel in the morning and it was empty and not squishy.

I'll try isolating her or keep a close eye to see if I can spot her poo

 

[aart]

Their crops do feel squishy like water balloons, including this one hens, but I did go out and feel in the morning and it was empty and not squishy.

That's because they are drinking a lot to try and shed heat from their bodies.
Best not to handle them during the heat, due to the stress it can cause not to mention the water filled crops.

 

[WendyTestaburger]

That's because they are drinking a lot to try and shed heat from their bodies.
Best not to handle them during the heat, due to the stress it can cause not to mention the water filled crops.

Oooh that makes sense. Thanks! I'll stop worrying about sour crop then.