Help with unknown illness

[Alcathy]

Good morning! We have our chickens in 2 large adjoining runs with 2 coops. Approximately 3 weeks ago we noticed one of the girls acting lethargic and didn't show much interest in food or water. Nostrils and eyes were clear, no wheezing but just not herself. We seperated her and she did well for awhile but then started a weird twisting of her head and opening her mouth like she was yawning. She unfortunately passed away yesterday but this morning we noticed another one of our girls starting to act the same way! Please help...anyone ever experience anything similar? We use pine shavings for coop bedding and hay for the run. Any advice would be welcomed..thank you!

 

[Sooner Magnolia]

How old are your chickens and what do you feed them? Can you get pictures of the chickens and their run, poops, etc?

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Sorry for your loss. If you still have the body, you can get your state vet to do a necropsy to find a cause of death. Some do home necropsies to look for crop or gizzard disorders, internal laying, and other things. Pictures can be posted of necropsies to get more help.

How does the crop of the other chicken feel in early morning—empty and flat, full, soft and squishy, hard or doughy. It sounds like she is adjusting her crop, and that can be a sign of a crop disorder if done often.

 

[Alcathy]

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How old are your chickens and what do you feed them? Can you get pictures of the chickens and their run, poops, etc?

The 2 girls that have had this problem are about 3 years old. I can post pictures but it will be this afternoon as we are at work today. Found the 2nd girl with symptoms this morning and posted this on the way to work. Will post this afternoon..thanks!!

 

[Alcathy]

Welcome to BYC. Sorry for your loss. If you still have the body, you can get your state vet to do a necropsy to find a cause of death. Some do home necropsies to look for crop or gizzard disorders, internal laying, and other things. Pictures can be posted of necropsies to get more help.

How does the crop of the other chicken feel in early morning—empty and flat, full, soft and squishy, hard or doughy. It sounds like she is adjusting her crop, and that can be a sign of a crop disorder if done often.

Thank you for your response. So this morning we picked her up to give her some liquid poultry drench and when I opened her beak to give it to her she vomited a clear sticky substance. I gave her the liquid drench and we also added some to the flocks water. Does this sound like sour crop? How do we treat that? Thanks in advance!!

 

[ChickenWhisperer101]

Thank you for your response. So this morning we picked her up to give her some liquid poultry drench and when I opened her beak to give it to her she vomited a clear sticky substance. I gave her the liquid drench and we also added some to the flocks water. Does this sound like sour crop? How do we treat that? Thanks in advance!!

Are you’re girls doing alright?

 

[Alcathy]

Are you’re girls doing alright?

Thank you for asking! I isolated the girl with sour crop and treated her with info from the web. It's amazing that not 1 person at our local feed stores even knew what sour crop was!
Anyway, she improved and has now been back with the flock about 3 days, although her crop was not flat yesterday morning. She's acting okay at this point and is eating so I'm watching her and will bring her in again if needed and start over.
I made a mixture of yogurt, 1 drop of oregano oil, a little coconut oil and some crumbles. I also added acv to her water. I massaged her crop every few hours as well. If you have any other suggestions they would be welcomed!
Thanks again☺