Lethargic Hen, Egg Bound or Other?

[Ted Brown]

We have a ISA Brown hen, about 17 months old, that has become lethargic and withdrawn from the flock group that she normally runs with. Her comb colour is very pale, often holding her head under a wing, has a large crop for ~two weeks, temperature is 102.5F. She is molting as best we can tell, feathers missing, messy butt, overall poor looking, other ISA hens are occasionally pecking at her backside in the past few days.

We think that she has stopped laying after some observation (multiple days of several hours), cannot be certain but our production is down one over several weeks.

We have removed her from the coop/flock, have cleaned her up, have warm compresses on her backside and will keep her separated for the time being.

Any comments, advice appreciated.

Picture below:

 

[LaFleche]

We have a ISA Brown hen, about 17 months old, that has become lethargic and withdrawn from the flock group that she normally runs with. Her comb colour is very pale, often holding her head under a wing, has a large crop for ~two weeks, temperature is 102.5F. She is molting as best we can tell, feathers missing, messy butt, overall poor looking, other ISA hens are occasionally pecking at her backside in the past few days.

We think that she has stopped laying after some observation (multiple days of several hours), cannot be certain but our production is down one over several weeks.

We have removed her from the coop/flock, have cleaned her up, have warm compresses on her backside and will keep her separated for the time being.

Any comments, advice appreciated.

Picture below:

View attachment 2359004

She might be suffering from a crop issue.

How does her crop feel, squishy and bloated or rather like a hard ball? Does it empty properly over night?

How does her poop look?

You might want to separate her in a crate for better control and assessment.

To keep her circulation from collapsing offer some sugar water or Coca-Cola.

 

[Ted Brown]

@LaFleche Her crop is firm, not hard not soft. Her dropping are watery.

We have separated her, she is in the house in a small pet crate so that we can better monitor what is going on, may move her to a large watermelon box if we feel she improves and needs more room.

We are monitoring food/water intake, will give her sugar water if she is not feeding/drinking.

Thank you.

 

[LaFleche]

Best to take away food and water in the evening, so you can feel her crop first thing in the morning. It should be empty and flat. If it is not empty, she has an impacted crop which needs immediate attention.

Here are two methods I use with good results:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/help-how-do-i-suture-chicken’s-impacted-crop.1378235/post-22647214

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have any electrolytes or something like Poultry NutriDrench that you could give her as a boost? Her vent area looks slightly swollen. Could you insert a clean or gloved finger into her vent to check for an egg or other obstruction causing the swelling? I prefer give chilled coconut oil up to a teaspoonful cut into small pieces for her to peck, if you find that her crop is atill full in the early morning. Let us know if it is hard, doughy, or puffy. Dulcolax (bisacodyl) is a very strong laxative tablet, and I would not recommend giving that to a chicken. However, some use the Dulcolax brand of stool softener, doccusate sodium, also known as Colase, and that is safe to use for an impacted crop.

 

[Ted Brown]

Do you have any electrolytes or something like Poultry NutriDrench that you could give her as a boost? Her vent area looks slightly swollen. Could you insert a clean or gloved finger into her vent to check for an egg or other obstruction causing the swelling? I prefer give chilled coconut oil up to a teaspoonful cut into small pieces for her to peck, if you find that her crop is atill full in the early morning. Let us know if it is hard, doughy, or puffy. Dulcolax (bisacodyl) is a very strong laxative tablet, and I would not recommend giving that to a chicken. However, some use the Dulcolax brand of stool softener, doccusate sodium, also known as Colase, and that is safe to use for an impacted crop.

I have a vitamin and electrolyte powder:

Do not have any other the other things you mention on hand. I will do some digging tomorrow and see what we can come up with (brands are often different in Canada so I may have to find substitutes,

Thank you!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

You've got some very knowledgeable folks here helping you already, but just because my friend is also located in NC like you and I and she's absolutely amazing
@Wyorp Rock

Edited to add my apologies. I thought you were in NC

 

[Ted Brown]

You've got some very knowledgeable folks here helping you already, but just because my friend is also located in NC like you and I and she's absolutely amazing
@Wyorp Rock

Thanks for the encouraging words, I read here a great deal and know of some of the folks who have responded.

BTW I am up in Canada not NC; I do know of Wyorp Rock as well.

 

[Eggcessive]

The Stress Aid would be fine to use. Make sure that she drinks some. In case she doesn’t like the taste, she might prefer water or sugar water.

 

[RainbowHen]

You have already gotten some amazing advice. Just wanted to say that I wish you and your hen the best of luck!