Hen is 'off'

[sphillips]

Hey everyone, I think I may have run into my first problem. I have a speckled Sussex chick that is 11 weeks old. This afternoon when I gave everyone treats, I noticed she was by herself on the perch, and when offered treats by hand, she wasn't interested. Tonight when I went to put them to bed, she's on the perch with the other chickens, but is off by herself. I noticed that her breast area looks very swollen. I'm new to all this chicken stuff, and freaked out when I first felt a full crop, but figured it out when all the chickens had it.

Anyway, I think I may have a sick chicken on my hands, and am really not sure what it could be, or what to do about it. Can someone suggest something that I may be able to try? I'd hate to lose this chick, as I'm very attached to all of them, but this one is particularly sweet. Something to note, she has always been smaller than the other Sussex chicks I have her age.

 

[Chicks Galore3]

She could have impacted crop. Is her crop full and hard?

 

[sphillips]

No, her breast area is 'squishy'. I couldn't really feel her crop, at least not like I normally feel it. I just went and checked on them, she is still in the same place on the perch away from the others. Of course the others insist on piling on top of eachother even though there is plenty of room!

 

[Chicks Galore3]

hmmm, it could be sour crop too. Here is a really helpful link - It has the syptoms of several crop issues and the treatments - http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/04/answers-from-chicken-vet-on-impacted.html

 

[sphillips]

Chicks Galore3: I've separated her in a dog crate inside the coop this morning. I looked at the link you gave me, have attempted a few times to 'clear' her crop by massaging it while holding her head down, but nothing will come up. I've added baking soda to her water, and she did eat some of a boiled egg just a bit ago. I'm feeding her small amounts at a time. The swelling isn't much improved from yesterday. Just wondering that if I can't get her crop cleared, is there still a chance she will recover with what I'm doing for her, or is there more stuff I need to do? Thanks for the link, it was helpful!

 

[realsis]

There is impacted crop then comes sour crop when the stuff inside the crop becomes rancid. You want to get her crop emptying before the food turns sour. Some feed small amounts of oil and then massage the crop to help it get moving. I suggest you look on the search option on this site and look up Impacted crop and you will find lots of tips to help her out.I wish you the best and hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[sphillips]

I was able to get her to vomit up a little stuff. It was brown, and had a few chunks in it. Probably the eggs I gave her earlier. The size of the crop did go down some, haven't given her any more food yet. Will try to make a mash with her grower/finisher feed.

 

[sphillips]

Just an update: My hen is eating a bit of dampened grower finisher feed several times a day, her poo looks normal. She is drinking water. The swelling in her crop is still there, but seems to be moving downward. I did get her to vomit yesterday, and I could hear something 'grumbling' after that. I'm just wondering about the swelling moving downward, instead of going down. Not much change in the size last night, but I will check her this morning. Just wondering if anyone wants to chime in here.

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Just an update: My hen is eating a bit of dampened grower finisher feed several times a day, her poo looks normal. She is drinking water. The swelling in her crop is still there, but seems to be moving downward. I did get her to vomit yesterday, and I could hear something 'grumbling' after that. I'm just wondering about the swelling moving downward, instead of going down. Not much change in the size last night, but I will check her this morning. Just wondering if anyone wants to chime in here.

Sorry, I can't help you. I have never had that happen before.