HELP! Hen went from healthy to ill overnight!!!!!!!!!!!

[MamaKim]

We are losing a bird right now. I don't know what to think. We found one dead about a month ago, and now this one is about gone. Started yesterday, wouldn't put weight on one leg, but would eat and drink eagerly. Today, won't eat or drink anything. Has yellow diarrhea. I'm not even hopeful. I have her separated from the flock but same thing, I'm worried the others will get sick. Her crop seems fine. She is just, dying.

 

[Quailsong]

Mamakim, can you please post a new thread with your issue? Your issue is just as important as the OP's but it will be easier to help both users if each thread is separate - this way we don't miss any crucial updates on a certain chicken's health. Also try to include as much info as you can with your thread. Thanks!

 

[tankgrl003]

Ok, it really sounds like sour crop. I will do what I can. Thank you so much for all your help!

 

[Quailsong]

Please give us major updates of your hen when you can. Include everything you've tried, what did or didn't work. The more knowledge shared on BYC, the more we can help others in similar situations.

Best of luck!

 

[tankgrl003]

My hen died sometime last night. I quarantined her and provided a soft bed and a heat lamp and then after she's settled a bit I came back and gentle tipped her so that her head was towards the floor . . . . . at least a cup of rancid water and bits of undigested scratch grains came gushing out!!! Once the vomiting had stopped I gently brought her back up and noticed that she was still breathing with a wet rasp. This only took a minute or less and I'm guessing she had possibly already aspirated? I palpated her crop and thought I felt a small lump, but then I lost it and could not find it again. She was resting quietly when I left her for the night, I can only hope she did not suffer. Thanks to all for you advice and encouragement.

 

[Quailsong]

My hen died sometime last night. I quarantined her and provided a soft bed and a heat lamp and then after she's settled a bit I came back and gentle tipped her so that her head was towards the floor . . . . . at least a cup of rancid water and bits of undigested scratch grains came gushing out!!! Once the vomiting had stopped I gently brought her back up and noticed that she was still breathing with a wet rasp. This only took a minute or less and I'm guessing she had possibly already aspirated? I palpated her crop and thought I felt a small lump, but then I lost it and could not find it again. She was resting quietly when I left her for the night, I can only hope she did not suffer. Thanks to all for you advice and encouragement.

I'm so sad that she died. I think you did everything you could for her & that she would be happy she got some care in her final days.

I know this is a BIG request, but do you think you can try and open up her crop? You don't have to perform an autopsy on all of her, just see what that mystery lump was in her crop & anything else out of the ordinary in it. I would think it'd give you a peace of mind to find out. Maybe it was a fluke object, or maybe not - but you can try to make sure your other birds don't swallow the same.

 

[helorugger]

Very sorry Tankgrl. I never thought I would get attached to a bird but these hens are pretty amazing and really to become a kind of pet. You should rest well knowing that you did everything you could.