Hen unable to swallow, breathing fine

[teeghee3]

I've read through some threads regarding hens having trouble swallowing, gape worms, etc., but I'm still not certain what is going on with my 5-year old, healthy hen. A couple of weeks ago I noticed she had trouble swallowing but would still eat and consume food. It has, however, gotten progressively worse and today she is having trouble swallowing food at all. She shakes her head and the food that is in the back of her mouth comes right back out. I can see food at the back of her throat as though she cannot ingest it. She wants to eat and drink but cannot swallow. Her breathing is fine, and her crop is empty. She is friendly and easy to handle. I've owned and cared for hundreds of hens. She is extra special to me following her leg fracture a couple of years ago from which she fully recovered with my make-shift splint. I'm not ready to lose her because she is otherwise healthy. Her feathers are shiny, she is alert with her tail up.
I'm going to attempt to remove the visible food.
Your feedback, tips, and encouragement are appreciated!
TG

 

[Eggcessive]

How does her crop feel? Is it full and firm or doughy, or full and puffy. Check it in the early morning to see what it feels like. Also look inside her throat with a flashlight for any yellowish palques or spots, or large growths.

 

[teeghee3]

Hello,
At 7pm her crop was empty. I attempted to remove the contents of her mouth and back of throat; she didn't show signs of discomfort when I massaged her throat.

 

[Eggcessive]

Does anything inside her beak or throat look like yellow plaques or patches, which might be fungal or parasitic?

 

[teeghee3]

Thank you for your response. There is nothing like plaque visible to me. I cannot see or feel an obstruction other than the food that seems trapped.
I have Lactated Ringers fluids I can give her to stabilize her hydration; is this safe for chickens? I have injectable Ivermectin or should I purchase something else?

 

[WhiteWyan]

We're you planning on setting up an IV? That's brave of you..
Might be better off tube feeding her?

Also inject able ivermectin is not meant for poultry. Parasite treatments are usually things you mix with drinking water at a certain concentration, like Wazine and the like

 

[Abriana]

You can give her poultry nutridrench with a syringe. It’s kind of like an iv for ppl.
I hope she recovers!

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is some info on giving subcutaneous fluids:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/subcutaneous-fluids-and-injections.914094/#post-13906193

What is the ivermectin for? If you wish to worm her, she will need to swallow or be tube fed. I would recommend Valbazen or SafeGuard. Valbazen 1/2 to 3/4 ml ml would treat an adult hen. Safeguard dosage is 1/4 ml per pound for 5 days would treat severe capillary or gapeworms.

I would prefer to try tube feeding first if you can pass a tube, but if necessary, you can give fluids subcutaneously. Sounds as though you need a vet, which would be best, but it also sounds like you may want to treat her on your own.

Tube feeding info:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tube-feeding-q-and-a.1215032/#post-19382316
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/updated-go-team-tube-feeding.805728/

 

[teeghee3]

Thanks to each of you for your responses and recommendations. Unfortunately I have to be at my job all day so I will begin my tube feeding journey tonight. This is an amazing thread you shared with me:

• https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-for-visuals-very-detailed-post#post_11652991

I'll be back with an update, and hopefully some very good news!