teresamarie0917
Hatching
- Feb 25, 2026
- 1
- 0
- 2
Hi all, I brought home a couple of young hens over the weekend, and yesterday I noticed that this Australorp was acting a little off. She was active, eating, and laid an egg on Sunday, and then I noticed she was decidedly lethargic yesterday (Tuesday) When I picked her up to bring her into a hospital pen, I noticed that her breath was a little stinky and her beak was mucus-y (inside beak, not nostrils) That led me to think she might have sour crop, though her crop feels super empty, so now I think it's just respiratory.
Wondering if anyone has any advice on what could be going on with this little lady:
10-ish month old Australorp
New to me, but housed in my backyard in Portland two other hens and plenty of room to roam. Raised 3x5 ft coop with open (hardware cloth covered) top for ventilation, pine shaving bedding.
Noticed she was looking low energy yesterday morning, puffed feathers, lethargic, no appetite.
Brought her inside yesterday to a small covered pen with wood shavings, Recover 911 electrolytes/probiotics in water. Pulled food yesterday when I suspected sour crop, but offered yogurt with a few mealworms and chick grit this afternoon, she hasn’t touched it.
Also doesn’t seem to be drinking any water. I am occasionally gently putting her beak in the water bowl to encourage her to drink a little.
Breathing is raspy/gurgly with the occasional sneeze, she will also occasionally shake her head around like she has something in her throat? Not high pitched, just sounds like quiet snoring. Video here so you can hear it: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E2-BsGLB9ih71z1b-3ZOwtNYDI1cI7K2/view?usp=sharing
Breath is a little stinky, stringy mucus inside beak.
Crop still feels super empty/ever so slightly squishy.
Poops are small and runny dark dark green with a little yellowish white, no blood/excessive diarrhea. (Obligatory poop pic below
)
She is on her feet and alert, bust mostly standing in one spot. Eyes look nice and bright and comb looks good.
Other two hens look good and are acting completely normal outside as of this posting.
Would love to be able to treat myself but open to a vet visit if need be. I've treated sourcrop in the past, but never dealt with respiratory stuff. Just hoping to be able to help this sweet gal. TIA for any advice!
Wondering if anyone has any advice on what could be going on with this little lady:
10-ish month old Australorp
New to me, but housed in my backyard in Portland two other hens and plenty of room to roam. Raised 3x5 ft coop with open (hardware cloth covered) top for ventilation, pine shaving bedding.
Noticed she was looking low energy yesterday morning, puffed feathers, lethargic, no appetite.
Brought her inside yesterday to a small covered pen with wood shavings, Recover 911 electrolytes/probiotics in water. Pulled food yesterday when I suspected sour crop, but offered yogurt with a few mealworms and chick grit this afternoon, she hasn’t touched it.
Also doesn’t seem to be drinking any water. I am occasionally gently putting her beak in the water bowl to encourage her to drink a little.
Breathing is raspy/gurgly with the occasional sneeze, she will also occasionally shake her head around like she has something in her throat? Not high pitched, just sounds like quiet snoring. Video here so you can hear it: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E2-BsGLB9ih71z1b-3ZOwtNYDI1cI7K2/view?usp=sharing
Breath is a little stinky, stringy mucus inside beak.
Crop still feels super empty/ever so slightly squishy.
Poops are small and runny dark dark green with a little yellowish white, no blood/excessive diarrhea. (Obligatory poop pic below
)She is on her feet and alert, bust mostly standing in one spot. Eyes look nice and bright and comb looks good.
Other two hens look good and are acting completely normal outside as of this posting.
Would love to be able to treat myself but open to a vet visit if need be. I've treated sourcrop in the past, but never dealt with respiratory stuff. Just hoping to be able to help this sweet gal. TIA for any advice!
