Hen making weird head movements

[StinkyAcres]

Be on the lookout for eggs from her and monitor her poop for anything unusual. Crop problems are often a sign of issues with the reproductive tract or other organs.

 

[Titania207]

Appreciate the tips. I have only had hens for 3 years and this the first medical issues to pop up. I am especially worried as I need to go on a work trip week after next for the whole week and my husband cant really do what I am doing and can barely tell the birds apart.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is the crop full and firm first thing in the morning before eating? Or is it full and puffy? Here is a good link about crop problems and treatments:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[Titania207]

Sweetie definitely has sour crop but I dont know if it is impacted as well. I tipped her upside down yesterday and htis morning and she did vomit a little bit of noxious fluid. Her crop did seem a little smaller today but she is almost constantly doing the head motion and is only eating a little. I am trying to get her to a vet as I have to go out of town for a week starting this weekend and I am scared that she will die when I am away. Plus I just hate seeing her suffer. She was always such a feisty silly bird.

 

[Eggcessive]

Does her crop ever empty by early morning before she eats or drinks? Forcing them to vomit is pretty dangerous and could cause them to choke and die. A vet might be able to use a crop tube to irrigate the contents mire safely. Since sour crop can be a chronic bacterial or fungal infection secondary to another primary problem (worms, reproductive infection, water belly, or the gizzard not working well,) there usually is not an easy overnight cure. Azygous has a good article about crop disorders here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[Titania207]

Hmm, well an old neighbor who has had chickens for 40 years recommended it so...And she (my hen) is totally fine, even a little better. I cant find a vet to see her so I need to manage it myself.

 

[Eggcessive]

Hmm, well an old neighbor who has had chickens for 40 years recommended it so...And she (my hen) is totally fine, even a little better. I cant find a vet to see her so I need to manage it myself.

I have done it myself as well before I knew the danger. Many chicken veterans here with years of experience have shared the time they killed their chicken. Some people still recommend it to get rid of the crop contents, but many are not aware of the risk. I have thought of using a feeding tube, and trying to remove the crop contents, and then flushing with clean water. Unfortunately with most crop disorders I have seen were usually in older hens, and I never had any that recovered. Some lived a month or two, but wasted away. Many use the Azygous link where she recommends using Monistat cream orally, and giving coconut oil to treat. I hope that you have success.

 

[Titania207]

Understood, and thank you. how old do you mean when you say older? Sweetie is 3 years old next month.

 

[Eggcessive]

When they get to be 3 they can start having reproductive disorders, cancer, or water belly in some instances. I never saw a crop impaction or sour crop before mine were 5 years old. If you haven’t wormed her lately with Valbazen or SafeGuard liquid goat wormer, then that might be a good idea since worms can sometimes affect the crop, gizzard, or intestines, and be one cause of crop disorders. I can give dosages if needed.

 

[Titania207]

Seems such a cruel thing that they live such brief lives. Appreciate the information though - thank you.