Hen not looking well. Worried.

[Freyafawn]

My one hen had sour crop last week and appears to be doing much better but her face looks darker than my other hens. She is losing feathers (picking out her belly) , getting picked on by other hens and stands away from the flock.

Something doesn't look right with her. I have inspected them all and see no signs of mites, lice or bugs. None of the other hens look sick or have darker faces or losing feathers ?

They have a massive run and 3 different shelters, with multiple food and water stations. They dont free range as there are dangerous dogs nearby, bu I bring them grasses, plantain and food scraps regularly that are chopped up for their eating safety.

 

[Freyafawn]

Commenting in hope of a reply !!

 

[Poultry Kitten]

Are you certain that her crop has been drained fully and if it is fully empty how did you empty it? Has she been laying, and pooping?

 

[Freyafawn]

I'm not sure if it is fully drained. It is not swollen or gassy anymore. She is not laying but pooping g and eating fine. Very excited about lettuce, yogurt cabbage and her regular food too. Drinking water. She is 2 years old. I massaged it daily for about a week, isolated her, took her off regular food, and she just had garlic water, yogurt and some scrambled eggs in moderation for a few days. Her face just looks dark to me ?

 

[sourland]

If you isolated her from the flock during treatment, it is normal that they are pecking at her and that she is keeping her distance. It will take time for her to regain her position in the pecking order. Her comb and wattle color look fine to me. They're not quite as bright because of her recent sickness.

 

[Freyafawn]

T

If you isolated her from the flock during treatment, it is normal that they are pecking at her and that she is keeping her distance. It will take time for her to regain her position in the pecking order. Her comb and wattle color look fine to me. They're not quite as bright because of her recent sickness.

Thank you. They were pecking her before isolation, but I do understand she will have to find her rank again ! I really appreciate your input. Glad she looks ok to you. Maybe I am being paranoid?

 

[StinkyAcres]

Did her face look like that before the illness?

 

[Freyafawn]

Yes. she looks slightly different than the rest of the flock of 7. They were all raised together from 1 day old.

Did her face look like that before the illness?

 

[StinkyAcres]

Yes. she looks slightly different than the rest of the flock of 7. They were all raised together from 1 day old.

Okay, then I wouldn't worry about that. After looking more closely it appears she just has more feathers on her face than most other chickens.

 

[Freyafawn]

Okay, then I wouldn't worry about that. After looking more closely it appears she just has more feathers on her face than most other chickens.