Emergency! My hen is dying! (Possible sour crop??)

[Knock Kneed Hen]

The best thing you can do right now is keep her comfortable, warm and quiet. I would not force any more food in her tonight, especially if her crop is not emptying properly. Just cover her and let her get some rest. You too.

 

[ZooMummzy]

Quote:
I'm sorry that you and Chixsie are going through this

I do not have any experience with sour crop but I do with cocci. I know there are ways to clean out the crop, maybe search for a thread on here if you can. I know there was a mixture to make from common household items. As far as cocci, the first warning sign I had was the fluffed up feathers, lethargic and not eating. I lost 6 birds to it last spring. I lost a rooster last week to cocci I think and now his girlfriend is sick. I treat for it now in the spring and the fall but sometimes it just isn't enough. I will send good thoughts your way.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

You want to be careful forcing food or liquids on a chicken as they can aspirate and that can be fatal. Stretching the neck out, twisting it, and gasping is a sign of aspiration. But that probably is not the primary issue or the one you started with. Puffed up can mean a lot of things. What color is her comb? Because a darkened or purple comb is a sign of not getting enough air, which can mean a bad heart.

Are you able to get her to a chicken vet?

 

[MikasGirl]

I hard-boiled some eggs. I'll put some in there for her, if she decides to eat them, but otherwise I think you're all right. I should let her rest tonight. Thank you for all the responses, I really appreciate it.

Edited- Her comb is a reddish color, not purpley.

Here's a few pics of her...

This one was a while ago when she was broody.

And here's a more recent of her, in August

 

[spartacus_63]

I had a bird with similar symptom last year. It happened while I was out of town so my DW handled the emergency. It was not a sour crop but a blocked crop. She had mistaken and old rubber band for a worm and gobbled it down. Unfortunately it got stuck in her crop. I do not know how the DW got it out, but will ask her when she gets home. The bird recovered almost instantly once the obstruction was cleared.

Good luck.

 

[MikasGirl]

Oh man.. I hope she gets better.

I gave her some egg, she was not interested. I didn't pick her up though for fear of making her vomit. Her poop is an odd color... Yesterday she had a brown diarrahea and today I noticed her have a whitish dropping (see picture)

 

[spartacus_63]

DW used Epsom Salt. She got the info from our extension office. the bird ate some of the salt mixed with treats. If your bird won't eat, dilute it in water, one table spoon dissolved. I also read that a few drops of olive oil and a crop massage can help with a blockage.

hope this helps and good luck.

 

[chickenzoo]

Is her crop full or empty... I'm confused?

She may have gotten fluid into her lungs by giving her fluids, that would make her vomit and gasp..... If so she needs to be put on an antibiotic. Listen to her lungs under her wing, and wheezing or crackels?


has she been wormed, my first thought of a sick hen that is fluffed up and separated or slow moving, with no respiratory symptoms is 1) worms, 2) egg bound 3) illness/ infection/ injury

 

[MikasGirl]

She's still fighting and standing up in her cage. Her crop is kind of squishy.. I smelled her breath and it wasn't completely foul, but it did smell like vomit. I'm confused though.. Should I NOT be trying to feed/water her? I'm worried if I don't that she'll die of hunger.

 

[spartacus_63]

As long as food is available, I wouldn't worry about her eating yet. If she is not drinking you can encourage her to drink. If she is standing that is a good sign (I think).