Chicken vomit

[Ephemeraljs]

I understand that chickens cannot really vomit but that this the best description of the main symptom.

A week ago, I bought 4 7mos black AmeracaunaX hens. Upon arrival, one had a loud gurgling stomach and occasionally has saliva-like liquid (clear and coloured) coming from her beak. The most recent vomit was shortly after she ate and drank. Otherwise her behaviour is completely normal. At first, I thought their poo smelled sour but that seems to have lessened since being on our farm. We feed 18% layer pellet and scratch with the occasional scraps. I do not know what their diet was before. Given symptoms, I am questioning Ascites and an impacted crop. Any ideas about diagnosis and treatment? My new chickens are quarantined together and the others seem fine.

 

[micstrachan]

Sounds like a crop issue to me. Your first step is to check that the crops are empty first thing in the morning before they eat or drink anything. Also, do they have access to grit? They need it to digest the scratch and scraps.
Why do youquestion ascites? Does her belly feel swollen? You can compare it to your other pullets.
Finally, are they all laying? Otherwise, I’d waiton the layer feed and put thembackon grower with oyster shell on the side free choice for those who need it.

 

[Ephemeraljs]

We are only getting an egg every other day. It's green and I dont know from which hen. I thought they were old enough to be laying and we're sold as POL. Seller said 2 have brown eggs which I havent seen. I wasn't sure if the stress of the move who stall already occurring laying. Plus I don't have a light in the quarantine coop. But I could try grower and oyster shell and check crop in the am. I question Ascites because of symptom fit but normal behaviour suggests otherwise. Maybe it's a case of web-based medical diagnoses.

 

[micstrachan]

Sounds like a good plan. Please report back after you check the crops. There is tons of collective experience on crop issues here. However, I am not one of them.

 

[Ephemeraljs]

Any advice is received with gratitude.

 

[micstrachan]

If there is ascites, the belly (area below vent and between legs... “fluffy butt” area) will feel swollen and squishy like a water balloon.

 

[Ephemeraljs]

I checked the chicken (a.k.a. The Ender Chicken). I feel nothing abnormal in the neck, upper breast and fluffy feathers area. Her breath is fine. She still has a very gurgly stomach. I did not see liquid coming from her beak in the 5 minutes after she ate (which she did heartily). Could she just be a chicken with a loud tummy who regurgitates? Or should I be concerned?

 

[micstrachan]

I think of gurgling as a respiratory issue. How manybtimes has fluid come from her beak? If she is acting completely normal otherwise, you may be in a wait and see pattern. But do keep a close watch on her.

 

[Ephemeraljs]

Hello all,

I treated with yogurt and ACV in hopes it was a sour crop. I haven't seen the liquid again and she seems normal despite the continued gurgling. We added 10 ISA Browns to the flock that were in rough condition. I have since treated all for round worm and lice/mite. The ISAs are coming out of a molt. Since introduction, 2 have died and a 3rd is sick. Lethargy is the main symptom before death. One had a blue comb the day before death (it happens quick). I'm worried that something serious is in the coop but am not sure which flock is the source. Could the gurgling Amercauna be the source chicken? Any ideas of illness cause?

 

[Ephemeraljs]

Let me add that most poop looks normal but there are some yellow foamy poops. The currently sick chicken *pooped* clear liquid the last time I saw her. She is isolated now.