Been reading on Sour crop but I don't think this is what is wrong with my hen.

[Awe-some Acre]

Some much needed help as this hen is one of my very first out of two. She is the head hen and loves when I open the gate to their pen to let them graze in the backyard. Last night she was fine, but this morning she has segregated herself from the rest of the flock. She seemed puffed up and was closing her eyes a lot more than normally. I searched on BYC and read about sour crop so I brought her in and I could not feel any lump. She ate a little watermelon that I gave them this morning but she is just not herself. The weather has been the same for the past couple of months, so I don't attribute it to the heat. As far as poop, I have no clue but will chime in when she leaves one. I have segregated her in the house with water w/ electrolytes and vitamins. Any other advice would be helpful.

Thanks in advance
Dana (Awe-some Acre Farm)

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you feel her crop at night when it should be full? I would suspect coccidiosis with her symptoms if you don't think it is sour/impacted crop. Corid (amprollium) in the water is very good to treat it, and is safe to use. All chickens should be treated since it is contagious. Another suggestion could be internal laying. How old is she? Is she laying now? What breed?

 

[Awe-some Acre]

She is a rhode island red and she is approximately 1.5 years old. I will check her crop tonight but this morning there wasn't anything to feel. She is "sleeping" with her eyes closed a lot since I put her in the house. Will Corid hurt her if she doesn't have coccidiosis??? I just made her some scrambled eggs so I will see how that goes as well.

 

[canadian flock]

I had a chicken who was doing the same thing. Does she use her "half lids" a lot? Not sure what they are called but the translucent inner lid.

 

[Awe-some Acre]

Canadian flock,

Yes she does.

 

[canadian flock]

My hen passed away but that was probably because I had no idea what I was dealing with. Afterwards I narrowed it down to sour crop. 1 common symptom doesn't mean it's the same thing though. you could possibly try a molasses flush. Just mix black molasses with water with a ratio of 1 parts molasses to 2 parts water.

 

[Awe-some Acre]

UPDATE:

She spent a few hours in the house, ate some scrambled eggs and drank some vitamin water. Then I put her back out with the others and it was like nothing was wrong with her. I guess I will just keep an eye on her. She is ruling the roost yet again. Thank you all for the advice and I will definitely be keeping a watch on her.

Dana