WTFlockFarm
In the Brooder
- Dec 15, 2015
- 13
- 0
- 24
Just over a week ago I noticed my two hens starting to show signs of illness such as not getting up on their roost at night, not going into the coop at night, and seeming lethargic. Four days ago hen#1 decided to camp out on my patio so I brought her in to rest by the fire and it quickly became clear she had a sour crop. The following morning I found hen#2 propped up against a wall in the coop so I brought her in as well.
Both were previously healthy, they are 3-5 years old and haven't been laying for many months. They have free run of the property to eat bugs, grass etc.... We have ducks as well so we alternate between layer pellets and duck/goose pellets.
We made hen#1 vomit up the contents of her sour crop and have been feeding her a light diet of fruit blended with coconut oil to help break apart the hard lump that is still in her crop. She also gets cooked egg. Her condition has improved and we will keep working to resolve her impacted crop.
Hen#2 is not doing so good. She stands like a penguin and sleeps a lot. Her lower belly and bum are very extended. She does eat (same diet as hen#1) and drinks lots of water. She is pooping a little which is normal in color. Her comb looks good. She isn't getting better but doesn't seem to be getting worse either. Based on the information I've read I think some thing could be ruled out...
-Skin is not yellow as descried with liver issues
-I don't think its a tumor because of the quick on set
-She doesn't lay anymore so egg issues seem unlikely
-No fluid is excreted when you squeeze her as described with some abdominal fluid build up
-Comb is normal in color, not blue-ish typical to heart issues
-Poop is normal color, not the yellow/green like with infections
Could she just be extremely constipated???
I think its odd that both got sick at the same time. Although with different symptoms, is there a good chance that both are related to dietary changes that come with winter weather?
I don't have the means to seek veterinary treatment for her (the only farm animal vet around is an expensive house call) and I don't want to cull her for something that can be treated. I am uncomfortable with doing anything too invasive to her based on my general lack of experience but I for sure do not want her to suffer!
Any suggestions on what could be happening with hen#2, how to determine what's wrong or a possible solution would be greatly appreciated!!!
PLEASE HELP
Both were previously healthy, they are 3-5 years old and haven't been laying for many months. They have free run of the property to eat bugs, grass etc.... We have ducks as well so we alternate between layer pellets and duck/goose pellets.
We made hen#1 vomit up the contents of her sour crop and have been feeding her a light diet of fruit blended with coconut oil to help break apart the hard lump that is still in her crop. She also gets cooked egg. Her condition has improved and we will keep working to resolve her impacted crop.
Hen#2 is not doing so good. She stands like a penguin and sleeps a lot. Her lower belly and bum are very extended. She does eat (same diet as hen#1) and drinks lots of water. She is pooping a little which is normal in color. Her comb looks good. She isn't getting better but doesn't seem to be getting worse either. Based on the information I've read I think some thing could be ruled out...
-Skin is not yellow as descried with liver issues
-I don't think its a tumor because of the quick on set
-She doesn't lay anymore so egg issues seem unlikely
-No fluid is excreted when you squeeze her as described with some abdominal fluid build up
-Comb is normal in color, not blue-ish typical to heart issues
-Poop is normal color, not the yellow/green like with infections
Could she just be extremely constipated???
I think its odd that both got sick at the same time. Although with different symptoms, is there a good chance that both are related to dietary changes that come with winter weather?
I don't have the means to seek veterinary treatment for her (the only farm animal vet around is an expensive house call) and I don't want to cull her for something that can be treated. I am uncomfortable with doing anything too invasive to her based on my general lack of experience but I for sure do not want her to suffer!
Any suggestions on what could be happening with hen#2, how to determine what's wrong or a possible solution would be greatly appreciated!!!
PLEASE HELP
Last edited: