HELP! I think my hen swallowed a quarter!

[ash0218]

My daughter had a quarter in her pocket and apparently took it out while I turned around to clean out the chickens water and she started crying saying that one of the hens took her quarter and ate it! They are all three acting completely normal as of right now. I have looked everywhere and no quarter has been found. I have tried to feel around their crops to see if I could feel anything but nothing unusual. What can I do? No vets in this area treat chickens.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi, that's quite unusual, but not unheard of.

Does your daughter know which hen it was? If not, I guess I'd give all three of them some coconut oil. I'd mix it up in some chick crumbles and water so they eat it and that might help it move along.

If it turns sideways she'll be in distress. There are some posts here or those who have dealt with nails and things in their chickens so let's give it a day to see if she manages to poop it out first.

I would also see if you could rent or borrow a metal detector. It could be she grabbed, then tossed it.

 

[ash0218]

Hi, that's quite unusual, but not unheard of.

Does your daughter know which hen it was? If not, I guess I'd give all three of them some coconut oil. I'd mix it up in some chick crumbles and water so they eat it and that might help it move along.

If it turns sideways she'll be in distress. There are some posts here or those who have dealt with nails and things in their chickens so let's give it a day to see if she manages to poop it out first.

I would also see if you could rent or borrow a metal detector. It could be she grabbed, then tossed it.

Thank you for the response. My daughter is just a toddler, but she’s certain that she knows it was our feisty hen, Spice. She was playing around the run and was hysterical that the chicken took the quarter. We love our girls, so this is really hard on us. It sounds like it most likely won’t pass on its own, so I appreciate the coconut oil advice. I will give it a try.