Limping Hen and Yellow Liquid coming from Mouth

[applehen26]

A week and a half ago, I noticed that my favorite hen, Portabella, was limping. I think it might be a sprain. I watched her closely and saw that she was acting normal otherwise — laying, eating, drinking, pooping. I decided to isolate her for a couple of days inside so she could rest. I also have been giving her Poultry Cell vitamins to help her heal.

The limp improved a bit, so I began to let her outside during the day to get fresh air and be with the flock. At night I keep her inside because I’m worried she might fall from a roosting bar during the night and struggle to make it back up. I have been doing this for the past week and a half and she’s gradually been improving, but she still has a noticeable limp.

A couple of days ago, I noticed that some clear goopy fluid came out of her mouth. It scared me, but I decided to watch her and see if she did it again or if she started acting strange. She still acted normal, still very alert and active.

Today, fluid came out of her mouth again, twice. It’s yellow-ish tan in color. It doesn’t smell very putrid at all. She is still acting normal.

I not sure if the limping and fluid are related. I’m wondering if it could be sour crop, but there is no smell. I did feel her crop and it felt squishy, not hard.

She was vaccinated for Mareks when she was a chick, so I know it’s not that.

I just wanted to post here and see what you guys might think. I might take her to the vet anyway because I am worried about her.

Here are some details:
Age: 11 months
Breed: Barred Rock
Feed: Purina Layena
She is free range.
She is in a flock of four hens.

Thank you all.

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

The squishy crop is likely due to something slowing down her digestive system. A slow crop can become "sour" quickly so I would start giving her plain yogurt or probiotics and have an anitfungal like monistat on hand in case it gets worse. Since she free ranges she may have eaten something that either caused a blockage (long grass, non-food items dug up in the yard) or made her ill (something moldy, toxic, etc). How is her poop looking? The only way I can think of that the limping and crop issue could be related is if she has an internal issue (tumor, inflammation, etc) that is both pressing on her sciatic nerve and interfering with her digestive system, but it seems more likely to me that they are separate issues.

Here are two good articles to read about crop issues if you haven't yet:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ntion-and-treatments-of-crop-disorders.67194/

 

[applehen26]

The squishy crop is likely due to something slowing down her digestive system. A slow crop can become "sour" quickly so I would start giving her plain yogurt or probiotics and have an anitfungal like monistat on hand in case it gets worse. Since she free ranges she may have eaten something that either caused a blockage (long grass, non-food items dug up in the yard) or made her ill (something moldy, toxic, etc). How is her poop looking? The only way I can think of that the limping and crop issue could be related is if she has an internal issue (tumor, inflammation, etc) that is both pressing on her sciatic nerve and interfering with her digestive system, but it seems more likely to me that they are separate issues.

Here are two good articles to read about crop issues if you haven't yet:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ntion-and-treatments-of-crop-disorders.67194/

Hi! Thank you so much for replying.

I appreciate all of your information. Her poop seems normal, but she does have some undigested blades of grass mixed in with some of the poop. This might be another sign of blockage. Thanks for the links, I’ll see what I can do to make her feel better. Really leaning on taking her to the vet tomorrow.

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

Hi! Thank you so much for replying.

I appreciate all of your information. Her poop seems normal, but she does have some undigested blades of grass mixed in with some of the poop. This might be another sign of blockage. Thanks for the links, I’ll see what I can do to make her feel better. Really leaning on taking her to the vet tomorrow.

A vet is definitely her best option if you have a good one nearby and can afford it!

Let us know how she does.