Could she have impacted crop?

[Lunachick]

Wynette! I just found this.....I had the same problem with a barred rock last year. Your hen seems to be in a better position than mine was.

But I had success feeding Gertie (BR) chopped tomatoes with olive oil, the next day she pooped A LOT. And she got rid of what was in there. In hindsight, I should have kept her home, but already an appt at the vet.......she passed, (at the vet) but she also had other issues. I truly believe she was depressed.....long story.

To me, it sounds like you're doing great with her. Gertie wasn't perky at all. Maybe if your bird is acting better, offer more food options and maybe some yogurt at this point...Please let us know how she's doing! Good luck with her.

 

[Wynette]

Hey, Luna! ALWAYS good to hear from you! Yep, she's getting yogurt mixed with chopped tomatos and cucumbers. Also, some scrambled egg. She seems to pick at it...but at least she's picking! I'm hopeful that maybe in a few days, her crop will actually be completely empty in the morning and that she begins eating a bit better. Sorry about Gertie...and again, great to hear from you!

 

[LynneP]

I think you're doing a marvellous job. We got rain and some wind but the hurricane passed to the south, thank goodness. The tomato is so good for them and I think you're past the worst now. I had 5 days of intensive care for Zipfi, then another five where I fretted as she got better. The weight gain is a marvellous sign! How are the droppings now?

 

[Wynette]

Oh, I'm SO glad the hurricane passed you without much damage! Good to hear.

Her droppings are regular looking - brownish with white urates, but runny, which is to be expected. She only poops maybe twice a day, though. Wish I could think of a way to entice her to eat more. Maybe that will come when she's feeling more back to herself...?

Thanks so much for ALL your guidance, LynneP! I so appreciate it!

 

[LynneP]

Do you have a scale suitable for weighing her? I agree, she should be making droppings every 20 minutes, but at least something normal-looking is getting through. Keep doing what you are doing! If you have vet help after a week of this, I'd consult. Something in the tract or at the base of the crop...

 

[Wynette]

Good morning! Well, this morning, her crop was empty! For the first time since she's been separated. I gave her only about 2ccs of olive oil, just in case, and massaged the empty crop...I dunno why, it just seemed like the right thing to do. I gave her chopped tomato again with layer pellets...she picks out the tomato bits and drops them on the floor, and then pecks and pecks at them before eating. They are full of shavings by the time she finishes eating them. I wonder if this could be part of the problem? She's not eating ANY pellets, the only thing I've seen her eat is the tomato, and she's not eating a lot of it. I wonder if there is something to increase their appetite?

I cannot take her to my avian vet; I took one a few weeks ago and just finished paying for it. My DH lost his job in December, and we're on a shoestring budget. I guess I'll just keep doing what I'm doing, and hope I can find something that will entice her to eat more. I do have a food scale in the house...I'll see if I can rig it up to be able to hold her on it long enough to weigh her. Thanks!

 

[LynneP]

It might be worth placing a livestock bowl in with her, she will probably climb in with the food and eat there- or, if you think she is okay, returning her to the flock. To be honest, they love tomatoes so much that they will ignore other foods. I've had the flock attack green tomatoes with such a fervor it was laughable! Perhaps a little tomato juice or fresh seeds and juice mixed with layer feed? She is eager to eat, and you have said she is gaining weight, so she seems on the mend- nicely done! Whatever is there is now passing through and I suspect she will begin to pass droppings regularly soon. Another thing you can now try is 1 tsp of molasses mixed into her layer feed to cleanse the gut. You're right about the oil, it's soothing to the gut and will also provide calories.

 

[Wynette]

I think I feel better leaving her in quarantine for at least another few days, even though she hates it. I mix the tomatoes up with a few layer pellets, and she picks out the tomatoes...I tried leaving just pellets moistened with some tomato juice in, and it appeared she didn't touch that. I hate to take a "leave it and wait and she'll it it eventually" approach with her since she's so light right now. Maybe another few days...I do have molasses, so will try that tonight. Thanks, Lynne - good idea on the bowl, too. I have a small non-tippable bowl I can try instead of the cage cup-maybe that would help, too!

Thanks AGAIN for all your support & feedback. I am beginning to wonder if there is something else going on with this girl since she's not eating well, but as I said, I can't take her to the vet, so will just continue supportive eating care! Thanks!

 

[LynneP]

I'm hopeful because she IS eating. She had something wrong in the tract, and if you see the droppings increase, it will be an excellent sign. It's like you say if it turned out to be a tumor or something the vet would probably put her down anyway (at great cost). She is fighting and so are you. I agree about getting calories in- tomatoes and oil is not a bad diet- sort of a Mediterranean twist on chickenry!

 

[Wynette]

True - she definitely is interested in food...I was actually wondering about syringe feeding some baby bird formula, since it has so many more calories and protein...or, maybe sprinkling some over her 'maters? Or, would that be too much, you think?