Hen tipping forward while trying to poop, what is wrong. Is she constipated?

[PoppySeedy]

How is her crop this morning?

If it's flat and completely empty, she doesn't have a crop problem. But make sure she drinks plenty of water today and no dry carbohydrate treats like corn that can slow the crop down.

Keep an eye on her if you can. If she still is lethargic with watery poop over the next few days, but the crop is emptying, it's some other issue.

This hen is about 4 years old?

Her crop was hard like a golf ball size this morning so I think it's definitely impaction. I've given her some oil, water and a massage to try and get it all moving, I haven't fed her yet but when her crop feels more promising I'll give her some yoghurt and easy to digest foods. She did a hardish liquidy poop this morning but it was very small. She is about 3 years old I think, we got the hens during lockdown so I'll have to check the exact date. She does seem a bit more active today though but she's still slower than usual, but I haven't seen her lie down yet with her tail down like she was yesterday so that's a better sign

And what's new this morning is I just got in an egg that had blood on it, idk if it's hers bc all the hens eggs look the same at the moment but I'll assume it's hers.

 

[PoppySeedy]

Her crop was hard like a golf ball size this morning so I think it's definitely impaction. I've given her some oil, water and a massage to try and get it all moving, I haven't fed her yet but when her crop feels more promising I'll give her some yoghurt and easy to digest foods. She did a hardish liquidy poop this morning but it was very small. She is about 3 years old I think, we got the hens during lockdown so I'll have to check the exact date. She does seem a bit more active today though but she's still slower than usual, but I haven't seen her lie down yet with her tail down like she was yesterday so that's a better sign

And what's new this morning is I just got in an egg that had blood on it, idk if it's hers bc all the hens eggs look the same at the moment but I'll assume it's hers.

 

[TropicalChickies]

Her crop was hard like a golf ball size this morning so I think it's definitely impaction. I've given her some oil, water and a massage to try and get it all moving, I haven't fed her yet but when her crop feels more promising I'll give her some yoghurt and easy to digest foods. She did a hardish liquidy poop this morning but it was very small. She is about 3 years old I think, we got the hens during lockdown so I'll have to check the exact date. She does seem a bit more active today though but she's still slower than usual, but I haven't seen her lie down yet with her tail down like she was yesterday so that's a better sign

And what's new this morning is I just got in an egg that had blood on it, idk if it's hers bc all the hens eggs look the same at the moment but I'll assume it's hers.

Hi,
Well, it's good you've determined the problem. That's half the battle. I'm not sure if the egg with blood is related, she could be straining more because of the crop problem, but not sure.

The most important thing right now is to keep working on the crop to get it moving.

Don't give her any food until the impaction clears or is at least gone down substantially. New food will just sit on top of the blockage and ferment and then she'll have sour crop too. Chickens can go without food for 24 hours.

 

[TropicalChickies]

If the oil and massages don't work, try a stool softener or 1/2 tsp Epsom salt dissolved in a cup of warm water. Here's more instructions from the link I gave you

"After getting the oil into the patient, you want to massage the crop gently in a circular and slightly upward motion. This will direct the contents toward the crop "drain". Massage for five to ten minutes. If the crop refuses to empty, repeat the oil and massage again in 30 minutes. If the crop still refuses to empty, then give a stool softener docusate sodium. Do not use a laxative as it would cause cramping and is too harsh for a chicken. Wait 30 minutes and massage the crop. The crop should empty. Add more oil if it doesn't and massage again. This should do it"

 

[PoppySeedy]

Hi,
Well, it's good you've determined the problem. That's half the battle. I'm not sure if the egg with blood is related, she could be straining more because of the crop problem, but not sure.

The most important thing right now is to keep working on the crop to get it moving.

Don't give her any food until the impaction clears or is at least gone down substantially. New food will just sit on top of the blockage and ferment and then she'll have sour crop too. Chickens can go without food for 24 hours.

Yeah haha I think the same about the egg, and just as I was typing the last message she led down for a sleep, but I'm keeping an eye on her.

I will continue to work her crop throughout the day and let's hope it's better by tomorrow, if not I heard papaya extract can be good for impacted crops so I will try that too tomorrow.

I won't feed her anything then as advised, I'll just try and keep her drinking (but that's hard I've got to pippette it) Ty for all the advice

 

[TropicalChickies]

Yeah haha I think the same about the egg, and just as I was typing the last message she led down for a sleep, but I'm keeping an eye on her.

I will continue to work her crop throughout the day and let's hope it's better by tomorrow, if not I heard papaya extract can be good for impacted crops so I will try that too tomorrow.

I won't feed her anything then as advised, I'll just try and keep her drinking (but that's hard I've got to pippette it) Ty for all the advice

You're welcome. I had a hen with an impacted crop that had gone sour last year. I didn't know what to do, but I saved her by following the same advice I've given here, which I learned from more experienced people on BYC. Just to give credit where credit is due!

Keep me updated, wishing you and your hen the best!

 

[PoppySeedy]

You're welcome. I had a hen with an impacted crop that had gone sour last year. I didn't know what to do, but I saved her by following the same advice I've given here, which I learned from more experienced people on BYC. Just to give credit where credit is due!

Keep me updated, wishing you and your hen the best!

Very nice! I'm glad you were able to help your hen it's the end of the day now where I live and as of right now my hen is acting as right as rain but I still think there is a bit of a blockage in her crop if I feel it (feels pointy like something is in there but idk how it's exactly supposed to feel) I'll check on her tomorrow morning again to see if her crop is clear, however I just want to ask, what should I do about feeding her if her crop isn't fully empty tomorrow? My hen is clearly hungry and wants to eat but I'm worried about her eating. I feel awful basically starving her, what do you recommend I do?

 

[TropicalChickies]

Very nice! I'm glad you were able to help your hen it's the end of the day now where I live and as of right now my hen is acting as right as rain but I still think there is a bit of a blockage in her crop if I feel it (feels pointy like something is in there but idk how it's exactly supposed to feel) I'll check on her tomorrow morning again to see if her crop is clear, however I just want to ask, what should I do about feeding her if her crop isn't fully empty tomorrow? My hen is clearly hungry and wants to eat but I'm worried about her eating. I feel awful basically starving her, what do you recommend I do?

Only give her very soft easy to digest food. Soft scrambled egg would be perfect.

 

[PoppySeedy]

Only give her very soft easy to digest food. Soft scrambled egg would be perfect.

Thank you for all the advice :> she's doing much better today and her crop was completely empty this morning! She laid a lovely egg and is back to her normal chickeny self haha

 

[TropicalChickies]

Thank you for all the advice :> she's doing much better today and her crop was completely empty this morning! She laid a lovely egg and is back to her normal chickeny self haha

Excellent!