Egg bound or crop issue?

[Wyorp Rock]

Well. French Fry started a molt about a week after this crop issue and is now pretty heavily into it. She seems to isolate herself and eat much less the past few days. I have been bringing her warm mash made from her feed mixed with a raw egg and canned chicken at night if I feel her crop is flat and she does eat that. This is the first molt she’s gone through as an adult. Is it normal for them to seem “off” and isolate and not eat much during a molt? She still hasn’t laid an egg since she was ill and now obviously is molting. Picture of her molt for reference - not a hard hard molt, but not a soft one, either.View attachment 3654176View attachment 3654175View attachment 3654174

Sweet Girl!

Yes, some of mine go off their food when in molt and seem to feel very sorry for themselves. They don't like being handled or near the others either. I assume they feel quite prickly and uncomfortable with all those pin feathers pushing through the skin.

Offering the mash with egg and chicken will give her a protein boost, so that's a good idea.

I'd just keep at it like you are, she looks bright eyed and curious in the photos in spite of it all.
Give her time, she'll feather out beautifully. This is probably a much needed break that she needs, even though it doesn't look like it right now.

 

[alinas2010]

Sweet Girl!

Yes, some of mine go off their food when in molt and seem to feel very sorry for themselves. They don't like being handled or near the others either. I assume they feel quite prickly and uncomfortable with all those pin feathers pushing through the skin.

Offering the mash with egg and chicken will give her a protein boost, so that's a good idea.

I'd just keep at it like you are, she looks bright eyed and curious in the photos in spite of it all.
Give her time, she'll feather out beautifully. This is probably a much needed break that she needs, even though it doesn't look like it right now.

Thank you for the reassurance, I was really starting to worry. I will try not to bother her too much and just keep up with protein at bedtime if needed.

That is a good way to describe it…”feel very sorry for themselves”. Poor things, I feel sorry for them too, it’s got to feel uncomfortable.