Lethargic Barred Rock- not eating or drinking

tworedwellies

In the Brooder
Joined
Apr 14, 2025
Messages
25
Reaction score
28
Points
44
Location
PNW
We just found our favorite Barred Rock hen lethargic and sleeping… normally she would be the first one to run across the yard to us and talk to us. I just realized she hadn’t been up to the back porch to demand treats at all today… I am a new chicken owner and definitely am not even sure how to figure out possible illness… (will google how to tell impacted or sour crop after posting this!)..

The only other detail is that I found an egg without a shell in the nesting box… I don’t know which chickens it is, but could be the barred rock?
Anyway wondering what are some things I can do to help her or try to figure this out. We brought her inside and she is sleeping.

* Update- i offered her scrambled egg, which she did not eat, as well as some water with ACV, not drinking either.

Barred rock hen - 6 months old - laying - eats

Kalmbach Feeds All Natural Non-GMO 20% Protein Flock Maker Crumbles

Has grit and oyster shell available at all times & backyard ranges


IMG_7618.jpg


Thanks in advance !
 
Last edited:
The only other detail is that I found an egg without a shell in the nesting box
She may be having a hard time expelling an egg. Try giving her 300mg Calcium Citrate+D3 once daily for a week to see if that helps.

Work on hydration and see if she will eat a little wet mushy feed.
 
She may be having a hard time expelling an egg. Try giving her 300mg Calcium Citrate+D3 once daily for a week to see if that helps.

Work on hydration and see if she will eat a little wet mushy feed.

hi! Thanks for responding... We did take a closer look last night and I stuck my finger in the vent (just about a fingernail or so in) and didn't feel anytning hard.... however her crop was very full and felt like a water balloon, so assumed it might be sour crop and isolated her with water for the night... This morning I found a bunch of poop (some runny, some not) and saw that her crop is now smaller, but still hard with stuff, so not empty.... assuming it is likely impacted??

-Wondering if it isn't an egg, could i still give her the calcium citrate and maybe an epsom salt bath just in case ? like these things wouldn't hurt her anyway>?

- if it is an impacted crop, assuming i should try a little olive oil in a syringe and massage and see ?

Thanks for the help!
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom