Impacted Crop - Part 2 - Paper compaction

[vantain]

Her crop was still full when she went to roost with the others, so I guess we’ll see how things are in the morning. She drank a little water before roosting.

Admittedly, I was not out there all day watching her, so I don’t know for sure if she ate, drank or pooped at all today. Whenever I did check in her, I also checked her crop. It always felt the same.

She did spend quite a lot of the day in the coop by herself. When I did check I her, she was standing, sometimes digging in the pine shavings, and had her tail up like normal. When she was out with the others in the run, she appeared normal and was always with the others whenever I checked. She was not lethargic at all.

 

[vantain]

Sorry to hear that. I really hope that she can get better.

Thanks. I don’t think this is going to resolve itself. Poor girl.

 

[vantain]

That is a good sign. What product are you using for calcium? I was just wondering if you changed to another source if it would help the shells. Have you ever noticed her or anyone else sneezing recently or in the past?

Do you think it is at all possible this might be IB? She hasn’t sneezed, or anything like that, and her eyes are normal. But you mentioned that it may be subtle symptoms sometimes.

I do have one other hen that does sneeze. But, I have only noticed it when she is drinking or eating very quickly. However, she has been doing that for about 11 months. Her breathing is also a bit raspy, but she has somewhat defective nostrils, so I think it is related to that. She’s been that way since she was a chick.

I guess I need to know what to do in the morning if her crop is still full. This would be two days in a row like this.

 

[Eggcessive]

I only mentioned the possibility of IB since it could have caused her shell problem. Usually if IB is a problem, you would see most of your whole flock sneezing every few minutes. My flock had it once and it lasts for about a month. You probably would have noticed it.

I would just see how she is in the morning, and try to get her to drink some watery feed with some oil in it. As long as she is wanting to go out with her flock, I would just let her do what she feels like doing.

 

[vantain]

I only mentioned the possibility of IB since it could have caused her shell problem. Usually if IB is a problem, you would see most of your whole flock sneezing every few minutes. My flock had it once and it lasts for about a month. You probably would have noticed it.

I would just see how she is in the morning, and try to get her to drink some watery feed with some oil in it. As long as she is wanting to go out with her flock, I would just let her do what she feels like doing.

Her crop is still full this morning, and still no poop under where she was on the roost.

She is much more lethargic now. Just sitting with eyes closed. I’m guessing today will be her last.

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry Vantain. I wonder if she had an egg or lash egg up high that has blocked her from pooping. If you think that you could do a necropsy, that would be helpful to find out what was wrong. If you want to take pictures of findings and her organs, we can sometimes help. It is never easy to loose a pet chicken, especially after caring for them so intimately for a long time.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Her crop is still full this morning, and still no poop under where she was on the roost.

She is much more lethargic now. Just sitting with eyes closed. I’m guessing today will be her last.

I'm so sorry that she is declining
If you think she is on her way out and there is nothing more you can do, you may want to consider ending her suffering. I know it's a hard thing to do.
I agree with @Eggcessive if you are willing to investigate further once she's gone, that may give you some answers as to what was going on with her.

 

[vantain]

So sorry Vantain. I wonder if she had an egg or lash egg up high that has blocked her from pooping. If you think that you could do a necropsy, that would be helpful to find out what was wrong. If you want to take pictures of findings and her organs, we can sometimes help. It is never easy to loose a pet chicken, especially after caring for them so intimately for a long time.

I might give the home necropsy a try. I have honestly never done anything like that before, but I may be willing to try. Just not sure what to look for.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I might give the home necropsy a try. I have honestly never done anything like that before, but I may be willing to try. Just not sure what to look for.

If you can take some photos along the way that would be good, we can help you with what you find.
I usually start at the abdomen since mine have all be reproductive related. I cut the skin so I can pull that back with the feathers, then go from there. If possible work outdoor, set up a table and put a trash bag on there - it's really not a lot of blood or fluid unless there's fluid in the belly. I usually take a small bucket of soapy water too, just to rinse hands/gloves and knife/scalpel if I need too. Paper towels too.
If it's reproductive, it can be obvious a lot of times, but just take it slow. I'm so sorry about your girl, I have done more than I would like, but I have learned a lot in the process.
There's a couple of manuals for you to look at. Also the necropsy thread, you may want to look at photos on that to see what others have done. It doesn't have to be a "pro" job, just get a good look inside.
Necropsy Manuals
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/focus/contents/ceva_necropsy.pdf
https://vet.uga.edu/oldvpp/programs/afvet/attachments/how_to_necropsy_a_bird.pdf
Necropsy Thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ning-contains-graphic-necropsy-photos.823961/

 

[vantain]

Not sure how, but she’s moving around out in the run now. Her crop is huge, and I’m certain she is not drinking. I would think she is seriously dehydrated about now. I would syringe her some water, if it would help. But if her digestive system is stopped, what good would that do?