Hildegard is so sick

[Jamie Molihan]

well, it’s been a few days now, maybe close on a week, and my poor dear Hildegard is so very sick. She started off with what looked like it was sour crop, so I tried a bunch of recommendations, she looked to finally be doing better but then her crop was just filling up and not emptying at all. She has vomit leaking out of her beak, fluid leaking from her nostrils and she is losing weight so fast and she keeps sneezing. She doesn’t want to be alone in her crate and will cheep at me until I pick her up and cuddle her. Then she will wrap her feet around my fingers and fall asleep. My heart is breaking. The vet said that she has a...hernia and surgery probably won’t fix it. I love my little Hildegard, she is the best bird and she always keeps her feathers in perfect condition. She is only five weeks old.

 

[happychickies101]

I am so sorry, I would put electrolytes in her water and cuddle her as much as possible. Try to give her all the love you can. Make sure she eats and drinks. Don’t lose hope.

 

[Jamie Molihan]

That you so much for your kind words. I wonder if putting an ace bandage would help hold it up and in the correct position would help

 

[HenniesInMyHeart]

Poor hennie! :'( Is there any chance she has aspirated some of the food? It would explain why she has it coming out her nostrils and rapidly declining. Please try giving her some NutriDrench or similar, she must be dehydrated and depleted after this ordeal. Was the vet an avian one? I would get her to an avian vet because they specialize and can help where others can't. It's worth a shot. I think they might at least do an xray and make sure her lungs are clear.
I am keeping you and your precious one in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Jamie Molihan]

Not an avian vet, just a regular one. So this morning her crop is flat as a pancake and there is poo everywhere. She is running around her hospital room and chirping up a storm for food and water. She also is not best pleased to not be out in the coop playing with her sisters. I felt her crop and it empty except for some grit. Now I don’t know what to do. Should I make her a little bra and let her out and see how it goes?

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Jamie Molihan,

In time, your little girl may outgrow the problem with her slow moving crop. So, yes, your instincts are right...make her a crop bra to support the crop. There are many suggestions online.

You will also, have to monitor her crop every morning, by giving a little squeeze to see if it has emptied over night. Make sure to have a crop treatment ready in your "chicken medical kit", in case she ever needs it for crop impaction, or sour crop. Every keeper has there own remedy.

Here is a link to a post here on BYC, about a crop problem. You may learn what to expect during a crop crisis.
www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-sick-need-help-asap.1237732/

As for the hernia, she may also outgrow this too. Until then, she shouldn't be jumping off or on, high perches. You may need to lower them. I had a hen with a hernia, due to swelling from ascite build up. She was very active, so I made her a little hen saddle with an attaching truss, that protected her belly area. I would put it on, only when she was swollen, as, she would go into remission off and on.

By all means, if little Hildegard is running around, and wants to be with her sisters, let her go. She is feeling better now that her crop contents have moved out. Just monitor her over eating and check her crop this evening and in the morning. It should empty overnight, and she should have good poops too.

She's just going to be one of those chickens that needs a little more attention. But, it sounds like you are a caring keeper and a good chicken mama, too. So, I think she is in good hands.

If you have any questions or concerns, just let us know here on BYC. We'll try our best to help and support you.

God Bless

 

[Jamie Molihan]

Greetings Jamie Molihan,

In time, your little girl may outgrow the problem with her slow moving crop. So, yes, your instincts are right...make her a crop bra to support the crop. There are many suggestions online.

You will also, have to monitor her crop every morning, by giving a little squeeze to see if it has emptied over night. Make sure to have a crop treatment ready in your "chicken medical kit", in case she ever needs it for crop impaction, or sour crop. Every keeper has there own remedy.

Here is a link to a post here on BYC, about a crop problem. You may learn what to expect during a crop crisis.
www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-sick-need-help-asap.1237732/

As for the hernia, she may also outgrow this too. Until then, she shouldn't be jumping off or on, high perches. You may need to lower them. I had a hen with a hernia, due to swelling from ascite build up. She was very active, so I made her a little hen saddle with an attaching truss, that protected her belly area. I would put it on, only when she was swollen, as, she would go into remission off and on.

By all means, if little Hildegard is running around, and wants to be with her sisters, let her go. She is feeling better now that her crop contents have moved out. Just monitor her over eating and check her crop this evening and in the morning. It should empty overnight, and she should have good poops too.

She's just going to be one of those chickens that needs a little more attention. But, it sounds like you are a caring keeper and a good chicken mama, too. So, I think she is in good hands.

If you have any questions or concerns, just let us know here on BYC. We'll try our best to help and support you.

God Bless

Oh my gosh, thank you so much for that. You are the best I. The history of ever. I will keep making sure she is in good health. So, it’s outside she goes to play with her sisters.

 

[HenniesInMyHeart]

YAY I am so happy she is feeling better! Great advice offered above. Lots of love and prayers for healing for your precious girl. <3