How bad can constipation get?

[Country4ever]

Can older hens (6 years) get so constipated that they have dark brown liquid coming out their mouths? The fluid doesn't smell.

 

[purpletree23]

I don't think so but it sounds like there is something really wrong with your hen. I would change the title to get more attention from the readers. Maybe HELP black vomit

In the mean time I would look up impacted crop and sour crop. See if any of the symptoms fit what is going on with her. I would also separate her so she can be closely monitored and you can let us know what she is eating, how much she is eating, what her poop looks like and how much energy she has.

This will give you a bump. Hope you get some answers soon.

 

[Country4ever]

Thanks Purpletree,
I have another post about this that no one will answer either! It's gone to the second page twice now. It gave all the details.
I'll try with a more shocking title!

 

[purpletree23]

I looked at your other post that got no response and what I read sounded like she was acting normal but she has dark fluid coming out of her mouth and had a lot of dried poop on her behind. Did you clean up her behind? Is she pooping now? I'm wondering if she needs a molasses flush and then soft foods and yogurt to get her back on track.

Before doing this I would PM threehorses and get another opinion. She is quite knowledgeable.

I hope she gets better. I have a soft spot for buffs.

 

[Country4ever]

Thanks Purpletree,

She's acting a little better. I posted another question about grit. I give them all grit every once in awhile, but when I gave the sick hen grit, she gobbled it up. I gave it to the others, and they snarfed it down quickly too. Makes me wonder if I got a little behind on the grit and maybe the sick hen's GI tract wasn't functioning well because of it??
I did add some molasses to her water yesterday. How much molasses should I add to about a cup of water?
I'm out of yogurt, but will get some soon. I'll give her some mushy oatmeal this morning and see how that goes.
I, too, have a soft spot for Buff Orps. They are so sweet and gentle. I had 5 to start with, but I'm down to just Lady Marmalade. Maybe its just their size, but they seem to have more health problems than the others, unfortunately.
To answer your questions, she didn't poop yesterday. I did give her a warm bath and cleaned up her backside.
I will continue with the Baytril. Fortunately, no one is laying eggs now so I can put her with the others as soon as she's looking better. I hate keeping them separated for very long, as the others are hard on them when they return, the longer they're out.
Thanks for your help Purpletree.

 

[purpletree23]

Sounds like you are a great chicken dad and taking very good care of her. If you are going to keep her separate you can always keep 2 of the hens together, It makes reintroduction easier sometimes. Or if she is doing better house her with the other hens and feed her the special foods and vitamins.

If they did not have grit available that could be the problem. She couldn't digest her food properly. I put my chicken grit and crushed oyster shells in small plastic containers and leave it out so they can take what they want when they want. Please give it a try. They won't accidentley eat too much. They need both in their diets regularly.

I think you discovered the problem and the cure is simple. Thank goodness.

Take care!

 

[Country4ever]

Thanks Purpletree,

She looks a bit better this morning. I gave her some soft oatmeal with olive oil and probiotics. She ate it right up.
Hopefully she's on the mend. I told her she couldn't go back with the others until I saw some poop! haha
Oh.....and I'm a chicken mom.
I must be giving out some male vibes.

Thanks for your help Purpletree.

 

[kathyinmo]

I did add some molasses to her water yesterday. How much molasses should I add to about a cup of water?
I'm out of yogurt, but will get some soon.
I will continue with the Baytril.

I guess I don't understand. What was the molasses flush for? How much did you give? She will really need the yogurt or other probiotic after that flush, I am quite sure. And, Baytril? What is the Baytril for?

another question .... Have your chickens been wormed?

I am still new with chickens. I am sure someone here can help you a bit more than I can. I am just asking questions of things to maybe consider. Maybe, since she is 6 years old, there are other issues that I am unaware of.
Good luck! Kathy​

 

[purpletree23]

country4ever....I am so sorry. I don't know why I thought you were a chicken dad. I am so embarassed I could die. I sincerely apologize. Please forgive me.

I'm really happy she is doing better. Did you get all the answers you wanted about grit?

Keep us informed about her.

 

[Country4ever]

KathyinMo,
I've read that molasses can help get their bowels moving, if they are constipated. I just put about a teaspoon in about a cup of water. I don't know if that's a good dose or not.
No, I've never wormed them. Worming can be really hard on them, and I never had any reason or evidence to think they needed wormed. They've been in a run all these years.
The Baytril was given because I was considering that she had an infection.

Oh Purpletree.....PLEASE don't worry about thinking I was male. I do that alot, when the username could go either way. It didn't bother me in the least! I've done the same thing. In fact, there are people I've talked to for years on forums, and I'm still not sure what they are! (and I don't want to have to ask).

About Lady Marmalade........She's holding her own, but her lower abdomen does feel a bit too firm. I hope she's just constipated and doesn't have ascities. She hasn't laid an egg for several months. Maybe she's been working on something for a long time, and I just thought it was her age or the coon attack. I've heard that hens have a high incidence of ovarian cancer. (And supposedly giving them ginger helps prevent it.)