Lethargic Hen...Sour Crop...?

[ScottBrooks]

Yesterday we noticed one of the hens was acting a little lethargic and had a giggly crop. After some research we ended up flipping her upside down to drain the crop and gave her some yogurt. At that time the other two hens were normal.

This morning all three hens were huddled together and nobody was particularly active. We give them yogurt in the morning but today it was untouched about an hour later.

Their droppings seem normal. Egg production has been good. Any thoughts on what is going on?

 

[Imp]

ScottBrooks,

from Washington
Sorry I can't help with the sick chickens. I don't know enough to give competent advice.

Try going to the top of the page and doing a search for lethargic, crop, etc.
Hopefully someone here with answers will get back to you.

Good luck,
Imp- The one time I knew a hen was sick I threw everything at her and she recovered.

 

[Renee]

I had a hen who got sour crop three times and finally had to be put down because she lost so much weight. It's very sad. Some chickens are just prone to it.

If your chicken is eating and pooping fine, I would not empty her crop again, since you can cause the chicken to aspirate liquid and they develop pneumonia. We usually do more harm than good when we empty their crops (spoken from experience).

Sour crop is also evident from the bad smell and from watery poop. If you do not notice these symptoms, I would leave her be.

Are your girls eating their layer feed and drinking water?

Have you checked them for lice and mites?

How old are they, and have they ever been wormed?

Are they fluffed up, or do they have runny noses?