HELP I don't know whats wrong with my little hen UPDATE*****She didn't make it :'(

[Kiwiheather]

Got the yogurt down her and some water...she really looks bad, not opening her eyes hardly at all. I am worried sick, I don't know if she will make it through the night...how did this happen?

 

[roxyblue]

I wish I could help you more!
My prayers are with your girl....she is seperated and in a warm place right? I would keep food away from her exept the yogurt and water with the AVC.

 

[ErinG]

Honestly I don't know much about sour crop - just what I have read on here. I would search BYC to see what you come up with. It looks like certain foods can trigger it - bread being one of them. Lack of grit could be another reason. One thread I just read said that causing them to vomit is important to curing it. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/614951/help-me-with-sour-crop-please
In my experience (somewhat limited, but have had several sick chickens and never lost one), if a chicken is truly sick you will not cure them with things like ACV, yogurt, mineral oil, DE, etc. You need to get things moving for her or she will get an infection. Medication may be a good route too. If you act quickly, it's amazing the recoveries they can make.

 

[Kiwiheather]

She didn't make it

By the time I got back with the yogurt, she was even weaker. I got some in her and some water and held her for a bit. About an hour later, She shook her her and fell over and died. I feel awful. I don't know if I missed symptoms earlier. She definitely felt lighter than the other hens, maybe she hasn't been eating for more than today. I didn't notice anything wrong until this morning. The other 3 look fine, my little roo kept laying next to her under the tree all day, like he was guarding her. Oh how awful....I am so sick about this, my hubby just made a little wood box and is burying her now.

I really hope somehow this wasn't my fault...now I will be watching the others close for any strange behavior If it wasn't sour crop, what could it have been?..Thank you for the help. ((

 

[kcfuerst]

Sorry for your loss, Erin. You might also keep a note on worming procedures, too, as symptoms for parasites are very similar. Unfortunately by the time a hen shows severe symptoms, many times it is too late as they hide their illnesses for a long time.

 

[ICallMyselfCherie']

She didn't make it

By the time I got back with the yogurt, she was even weaker. I got some in her and some water and held her for a bit. About an hour later, She shook her her and fell over and died. I feel awful. I don't know if I missed symptoms earlier. She definitely felt lighter than the other hens, maybe she hasn't been eating for more than today. I didn't notice anything wrong until this morning. The other 3 look fine, my little roo kept laying next to her under the tree all day, like he was guarding her. Oh how awful....I am so sick about this, my hubby just made a little wood box and is burying her now.

I really hope somehow this wasn't my fault...now I will be watching the others close for any strange behavior If it wasn't sour crop, what could it have been?..Thank you for the help. ((

This is the first time I saw this thread, but I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. Try not to beat yourself up too much . . . I'm willing to bet it has happened to most of us on here -- you don't see anything wrong, and then later you wonder if you should have. It's very difficult to see sometimes, because animals hide their symptoms away very well, sometimes right until they're about to die, and by then it's too late. It's very hard, but know you're not alone.

 

[nakstk]

So sorry for your loss

This was NOT your fault. So Please don't feel like it is. Things happen all animals and people get sick its just part of life. But at least now you know what to look for and you'll be more prepared if this happens with another chicken. Also if it does happen and the crop feels like a balloon try feeding it fresh chopped or pressed garlic it helps kill the bacteria. Then withhold food for up to 24 hours but make sure to give them water and/or water with the apple cider vinegar with mothers in it. Hang in there.

 

[PattyO]

I am so sorry for your loss. It may not be a bad idea to take some droppings in to your vet just to check for parasites.

 

[ErinG]

I'm so sorry.

 

[chickenlover91]

Oh im' so sorry to hear you lost your baby

! Prayers are out for your other chickens!