Hen with diarrhea

[Wyorp Rock]

@Wyorp Rock I checked the crop this morning and you were right. There is something wrong with it. Its hard and spongy. Could this be related to the diarrhea too?

It could be part of the reason for the diarrhea.
Did you get a chance to read the article?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[Matilda Belle]

Great article. I’ll add to my notes. Thanks!

 

[Matilda Belle]

I’m not making any progress with the oil. I don’t have dulcolax. Will milk of magnesia work?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I’m not making any progress with the oil. I don’t have dulcolax. Will milk of magnesia work?

No, I would not give Milk Of magnesia.

Crop issues can take days to resolve. Is it still hard? If it's hard, have you massaged the crop after giving oil to see if you can start to break up what's in there?
Sometimes, there is more going on besides a crop issue - an underlying condition can make it more difficult to treat.

 

[Matilda Belle]

No, I would not give Milk Of magnesia.

Crop issues can take days to resolve. Is it still hard? If it's hard, have you massaged the crop after giving oil to see if you can start to break up what's in there?
Sometimes, there is more going on besides a crop issue - an underlying condition can make it more difficult to treat.

It’s not hard like it was this morning. She’s been drinking water so now it feels more like a water balloon with pebbles in it. She must still have food in it from yesterday. Try dulcolax?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It’s not hard like it was this morning. She’s been drinking water so now it feels more like a water balloon with pebbles in it. She must still have food in it from yesterday. Try dulcolax?

You can try the stool softener. If today is the first day you tried oil, then you may want to give her a bit more this evening before roosting. Massage the crop for several minutes, careful not to push the contents into her airway, then re-check again in the morning.
I have had results with just oil, but sometimes if I can't get a hard crop to resolve after a few days, I will also give 1 stool softener (stimulant free!).

 

[Matilda Belle]

Can she have food at all during this process? I’ll run to the store and get dulcolax.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can she have food at all during this process? I’ll run to the store and get dulcolax.

Make sure it's says stimulant free and it's just stool softener - you do not want laxative.

It's usually better if they don't eat for a day if the crop is hard and impacted, but if you feel she needs something I would give her a little wet soupy feed or a bit of scrambled egg. If the crop is impacted and not moving, then adding food just compounds the problem.

 

[Matilda Belle]

Thanks. Maybe I’ll try the oil another time before bed and if it’s still solid tomorrow I’ll do the dulcolax. I’ll keep you posted. Thanks for the help.

 

[wvchickenchick311]

She hasn't been laying at all but I think it's because she's molting. I don't use layer feed, but I have oyster shell available 24/7. Chick starter and oyster shell was recommended by several members on this forum.

She might be egg bound because none of my hens ever quit laying when they molt they range from 1-2 years in age. The stool sample sounds like a pretty good idea too. I would feel her tummy to see if it is hard. She may need some other kind of chicken food. What kind do you feed her? I feed mine Purina layena pellets and crumbles. I would also start her on later feed because she doesn’t need all the extra protein and things that are in the chick food. I would also add gritt.