Help, my hen is sick.

[AmyMil]

Yes, saw her trying to clean her hind end. I read about giving papaya seeds for an impacted crop. Have you heard of that? Apparently, they have an enzyme that breaks stuff up. I bought a papaya, but not sure if I should try it.

 

[AmyMil]

After more research, I found a description of her crop that fits - doughy crop. I have read that it can be as a result of coccidiosis, so I might be on right track with corid. I also read about giving over the counter yeast medicine. Is this vaginal cream given orally? I also ordered acidified copper sulfate which is supposed to help. Any other insights would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sassy Hen]

The poop in the picture is definitely not healthy normal poop. If you want to feed her anything, I would recommend a bit of wet bread. Just rip up some bread and soak it. My sick rooster ate it but I'm not sure about your hen. I don't know too much about crop illnesses, but I hope she gets well soon!

 

[AmyMil]

Thank you. She is on day 4 of Corid. She seem perkier and poops are better. Still not a great appetite, but eating some. When Corid course done, I am going to deworm.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

How is she now?

 

[AmyMil]

She is better. Not losing weight and eating better, but still not totally normal. You wouldn't know it if you didn't pay attention. I give them treats and they all gather to eat. This hen is right in there, but when I watch her, she pecks a lot but doesn't necessarily eat like the others. She is also the first to leave the food area. She must be getting some nutrition, because she isn't losing weight. I have no idea if she is laying, but I doubt it. Thanks for the inquiry.

 

[tcfoster]

How is she doing? I have a chicken showing similar signs

 

[AmyMil]

She seems to be OK. I cannot tell if she is laying or not. We have six chickens but have only gotten six eggs a couple of times, but not since this one was sick. We have had 5 eggs several times. My guess is that she is not laying. I am worried that she was/is having internal laying. I guess if she is and it persists, it will eventually kill her. I will say that I tried to put her with the other chickens quickly. She wouldn't drink in the house, but when I put her out with them, I saw her drink long drinks. I have decided that I will only separate a hen from the flock when absolutely necessary. Its just too stressful for them. The only thing I did was the Corid. I am doubtful she had coccidiosis, because it seems like others would have had it too. I did give probiotic/electrolytes in their water for a while after treatment. I did not follow up with any other treatments as she is doing better and I want her to get stronger. I am gathering a range of meds and treatments to have on hand. It was awful to have to try to procure these after she got sick. She did have doughy crop. I massaged it regularly and for the first couple of days I did not give her anything starchy. Only yogurt, meal worms, scrambled eggs, etc. I was trying to avoid sour crop. I ordered acidified copper sulfate that others have said help with crop problems. I have not used it as she seems better. I am changing their water everyday with a clean washed bowl (to avoid coccidiosis). I am chopping up food scraps really well now (to avoid any crop impaction). I have done a lot, but really I think she got better on her own. Let me know how yours does.