Hen ate small rodent and it appears to be stuck in her throat

[JenB24]

I have a 1 year old Buff Orpington who is healthy otherwise. I heard what I call the "chicken bark" a few times and then she came running in from the woods and appeared to have the rear end of a baby rodent hanging out of the right side of her beak. By the time I was able to get to her, the rodent was no longer visible. She continues to make the barking sound, although she will eat if given something. I don't feel the rodent in her crop - it appears to be stuck above it. I've tried massaging her neck to promote movement to the crop, but it doesn't seem to budge and she doesn't tolerate it very well. Is there anything I can do to help her along or do I just need to wait and see?

 

[realsis]

Wow maybe you can give her some oil to help the rodent go down and be processed? Right now that's about all you can do.keep a close watch on her. She might vomit it back out too. You will have to wait and. see . watch out that her crop doesn't get impacted and give her a little oil. Hopefully it will be alright and she will process the rodent. I wish you the best and keep us updated on how she is doing. God bless

 

[JenB24]

Thanks! She seems to not be barking anymore - but it is definitely visible from the front - she seems to be behaving normally though...

 

[Haunted55]

The oil Realsis mentioned is a good idea and I would add some ACV as well. Instead of the 1 tbls to 1 gallon mix, I would go for 3 tbls to 1 qt. of water. Maybe add some jello if she refuses to drink. The acidic water will help break down the body if it is stuck in her throat. The trick is to get it into her....if she likes bread, you could give her a piece soaked in straight ACV. Again, you'll have to see if she'll even take it. I would try a small piece soaked in water first, not dry! Dry could compound the problem. If she takes it, slip in the ACV soaked one and call it good. Don't keep feeding her bread and if it were me, I would hold off on any food for a little bit.

Now can you see a lump in the throat? Have you opened her beak and looked in there?

 

[JenB24]

I can't see anything when I look inside... She is acting normally now. She wouldn't take the water with the ACV in it... She is drinking though... Every once in a while she looks like she is trying to swallow. I can definitely see the lump on the front of her neck - it feels less prominent now so I am assuming part of it is in her crop now - although I don't feel much in there either... Thanks for the good advice!

 

[Haunted55]

Watch her carefully. My sister lost a rooster last year for the same reason. Unfortunately, I didn't know what to do about it then. Crossing fingers, eyes and toes for you and your baby!

 

[JenB24]

Thanks! I appreciate your help!

 

[JenB24]

I just checked on her and it feels like it is in her crop now...

 

[Haunted55]

Good, now if you can, give her some AVC water, regular dose of 1 tbls per gallon. I'd also offer her some grit to help with the break down of it now and later. Please watch her and you might want to look up vomiting. I read about it but have never done it myself so wouldn't dare advise you. If, as my sister's bird did, she starts having problems later this may save her. I don't know for sure, as it may stick coming back out. If it were me though I'd want to know how to do it just in case.

The reason for the ACV, this will start to break down the hair on the rodent, and help with softening the bones so they'll be able to go into the gizzard. The grit, she'll need to help grind this up. I would be watching for the next few days. The one my sister had took 3 days to become serious.

 

[JenB24]

Thanks! I just gave her some grit... and will add ACV to their water... I'm also going to try and massage her crop a few times a day to see if that helps - I've done that successfully for a hen that I had who had sour crop...