Help! I think my hen ate pebbles???

[DWok]

If all the gravel is around that size, this is not your hen's problem. Something else is going on.

First step is to stabilize her. Continue the sugar water. This is number one in importance right now. This will buy us time to figure out what's going on.

Monitor her poop. Get a photo of it so we can see what it looks like.

Work on finding a tubing kit. You may need it depending on what we decide to do.

Truthfully she isn’t pooping, this is one of my huge concerns. I thought she was egg bound but I’m not sure of anything at this point. Her crop definitely feels doughy with some hard bits but I did give her the egg yesterday so perhaps that’s what’s in there? She hasn’t been interested in food at all today. She had a tiny bit of liquid from her bum when I inserted my finger so it’s like she wants to poop. Her vent was moving around but much less today. I was only able to get the sugar water in her system by forcing her to have it. I’m still trying to reach the only vet we have around here about a feeding tube but I’m starting to think I’m torturing her so I don’t know what’s the point to stop…I love her dearly and will do whatever I can, but I want to be fair if this is all not working.

 

[azygous]

Tubing is far less intrusive than sticking a finger up her butt. And we tube for the main reason that it keeps stress from intrusive measures at a bare minimum while accomplishing the most good for the patient in the least amount of time.

The only way to verify that you need to treat a crop disorder, which is separate from stabilizing her, is to check the crop tomorrow morning before she has any more liquids or food. It allows you to determine how well the crop is functioning and if intervention is necessary.

Meanwhile, I'm trying to instruct you on stabilizing her so you don't lose her before we figure out what exactly is going on. She may be suffering from starvation and dehydration, and these have direct bearing on organ function which can shut down and kill her if you don't get her stabilized. A tube feeding kit will allow you to do this.

But if you decide you do not wish to pursue this, it's your right to euthanize her at any time.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Thank you so much, I’m so worried about her, I can actually feel the gravely texture inside her stomach but it’s so far in there, I have no idea how she can pass this.

You are very welcome. Hopefully someone on here can help.

 

[DWok]

If all the gravel is around that size, this is not your hen's problem. Something else is going on.

First step is to stabilize her. Continue the sugar water. This is number one in importance right now. This will buy us time to figure out what's going on.

Monitor her poop. Get a photo of it so we can see what it looks like.

Work on finding a tubing kit. You may need it depending on what we decide to do.

Unfortunately she is not pooping. The only time she did a little was when I put lubrication on my gloved finger to feel around (same time I got the pebble out.) I’m having Trouble finding a feeding tube kit, the vet wouldn’t sell me one and tractor supply said they gave the tube but not a kit, I’m not sure what is needed…

 

[DWok]

Tubing is far less intrusive than sticking a finger up her butt. And we tube for the main reason that it keeps stress from intrusive measures at a bare minimum while accomplishing the most good for the patient in the least amount of time.

The only way to verify that you need to treat a crop disorder, which is separate from stabilizing her, is to check the crop tomorrow morning before she has any more liquids or food. It allows you to determine how well the crop is functioning and if intervention is necessary.

Meanwhile, I'm trying to instruct you on stabilizing her so you don't lose her before we figure out what exactly is going on. She may be suffering from starvation and dehydration, and these have direct bearing on organ function which can shut down and kill her if you don't get her stabilized. A tube feeding kit will allow you to do this.

But if you decide you do not wish to pursue this, it's your right to euthanize her at any time.

I’d absolutely like to do this, of course, I never want to do anything to cause her more stress or harm. At this point my fear is her starving or dehydrating so I’ve been trying my darndest to keep her going with fluids etc but I understand it’s time for a feeding tube. I’m not sure why you think I wouldn’t do that, I haven’t tried anything invasive aside from what I told you and only because a hen had impacted stool in the past and we had to help her - much different because it was a sac half way from her bum. But yes of course I want to do what’s best. I understand you are knowledgeable, far more than I am, I am doing my best with what I’m being told here. I’m trying to find a feeding tube anywhere possible, I don’t have one at home. I’ll have to look up what is included in a kit and try to find the pieces since tractor supply said they only have the tubing. I do appreciate your help.

 

[DWok]

I’d absolutely like to do this, of course, I never want to do anything to cause her more stress or harm. At this point my fear is her starving or dehydrating so I’ve been trying my darndest to keep her going with fluids etc but I understand it’s time for a feeding tube. I’m not sure why you think I wouldn’t do that, I haven’t tried anything invasive aside from what I told you and only because a hen had impacted stool in the past and we had to help her - much different because it was a sac half way from her bum. But yes of course I want to do what’s best. I understand you are knowledgeable, far more than I am, I am doing my best with what I’m being told here. I’m trying to find a feeding tube anywhere possible, I don’t have one at home. I’ll have to look up what is included in a kit and try to find the pieces since tractor supply said they only have the tubing. I do appreciate your help.

Would this work? I can at least order it for overnight to try to get it asap while still calling around!

 

[DWok]

Tubing is far less intrusive than sticking a finger up her butt. And we tube for the main reason that it keeps stress from intrusive measures at a bare minimum while accomplishing the most good for the patient in the least amount of time.

The only way to verify that you need to treat a crop disorder, which is separate from stabilizing her, is to check the crop tomorrow morning before she has any more liquids or food. It allows you to determine how well the crop is functioning and if intervention is necessary.

Meanwhile, I'm trying to instruct you on stabilizing her so you don't lose her before we figure out what exactly is going on. She may be suffering from starvation and dehydration, and these have direct bearing on organ function which can shut down and kill her if you don't get her stabilized. A tube feeding kit will allow you to do this.

But if you decide you do not wish to pursue this, it's your right to euthanize her at any time.

Could you possibly provide the method you were going to walk me through with the feeding tube? I want to make sure I have the information should that be needed since the thread is dying off a little…

 

[azygous]

Certainly. Below is a photo showing how to insert an oral syringe into the esophagus, by-passing the airway at the center of the throat. Inserting the tubing is the same.

You will shorten the tubing to about nine or ten inches, cutting the excess off at the bottom. Dealing with a shorter tube is much easier.

You will wrap her in a towel tightly to confine wings and feet. Pry open her beak and insert the tube into the right side as shown. Gently wiggle it so it slips just under the side of her tongue and into the entrance to the esophagus. It should go in about three inches. If she coughs, back it out and try again. When you have it inserted properly, the patient is calm and quiet.

It can help to have a helper, one to hold the chicken and the other to do the tubing, but most of us manage it alone by steadying the tube in the beak with the weak hand while operating the syringe and solution with the strong hand.

If at any time she suddenly struggles, wait until she settles down again to continue. The first time, just take it nice and slow and learn and get comfortable with your technique. It can't injure the chicken. It's safe. No fluids will get into the airway. The second time you do it, you will amaze yourself at how easy it is. The third time you can tube in your sleep. Well, figuratively speaking.

Any questions, please ask.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I’m not familiar but feeling her crop today it definitely doesn’t feel like it is emptying.

You want to feel it first thing in the morning before she's had anything to eat or drink, that's when it should be empty. I don't know much, but I do know that!

 

[azygous]

You want to feel it first thing in the morning before she's had anything to eat or drink, that's when it should be empty. I don't know much, but I do know that!

You have it precisely right. It's of little value to try to figure out if the crop is emptying until you can check it after eight to ten hours of no eating or drinking.

To determine what a normal crop "feels" like, feel a hen who's behaving normally. Compare the two crops. That will teach you what is and isn't normal.

Have you read the article I linked to describing crop disorders and how to determine which kind your hen has?