Chicken Losing Weight

[slukeplass22]

I checked at 9:30 AM (as I didn't see the previous post) and her crop seems to be the same as last night. Odd, since beforehand her crop was nearly empty.

I also caught her pooping out a long, grassy poop with a light urate coating. It broke off while she was pooping so I took it and placed it somewhere else. (No image since I can't get the image to upload on BYC or some reason).

I found another on the roost this morning, except it was longer (6" if unraveled?). I guess I'll treat for impaction, but I'm not sure impaction is entirely responsible here.

She also didn't seem to be molting when I picked her up but I'll check more thoroughly next time.

 

[slukeplass22]

Update: I let Buffy out of the fence and tried giving her a piece of bread soaked with olive oil. She didn't eat it (so I gave it to the others) but she did poop out two normal looking dime-sized poops. (they were green, moist, and had a small bit of urate.) I'm going to try giving her the oil straight up now (just in case) and see how she does. Her crop is a bit smaller than it was this morning.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hopefully the oil will get things moving, if not and it feels impacted, you can use Dulcolax to see if that will help. See that she is drinking well. Massage the crop several times a day if you can. Here's more information
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/impacted-slow-and-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments

 

[slukeplass22]

Currently they're asleep. She seems to be doing alright. She drank some of the olive oil I administered to her. When I gave it to her her crop was a tiny, hard ball - wasn't able to massage.

 

[slukeplass22]

This morning Buffy's crop was really small and hard. Some of my other birds were the same way. She has drank some water this morning, but isn't as thirsty as some of the other birds. She's acting the same way as in the first post I made. She's also about the same weight.

 

[WVduckchick]

Do you have a scale to get an actual weight for her? Try to weigh around the same time of day.

You mention her keel, here's a chart that you may find helpful

 

[slukeplass22]

She's at a 1. I've been doing this for a while and her keel protrudes from the rest of her body. The chart does help.

 

[slukeplass22]

Should I try mixing starter feed with the layer feed?

 

[casportpony]

Any chance you can get her to a vet? A one if very thin and probably needs supportive care.

 

[slukeplass22]

I'm unsure if I can get a vet.