Mama hen suddenly stumbly. What can I do?

[Atlas The Chicken Tender]

Can you feel the metal in her crop? I would have thought it would have moved on by now? There are many videos online on crop surgery, but I would not do it at home without a vet. I would try feeding the soft cooked egg and the sour kraut which could grab the metal and take it on through. Please let us know what happens.

I can't, no. Then again, I likely wouldn't be able to tell very well as I'm not terribly accustomed to doing a lot of crop things. I'm going to keep feeding her eggs to see if that gets something done. Wish me luck!

 

[Atlas The Chicken Tender]

So one of our hens, a mama of four beautiful babies, has suddenly started to stumble around (just today). In observing her, it seems like she's leaning too far out on her left hip and it's causing her to fall on that side. Other than that (and some butt feather loss), she's not displaying any other symptoms. She gets a 20% protein all-flock feed with some thyme in it to prevent sour crop, can free feed on crushed oyster shells. I checked her and couldn't feel any swelling and there was nothing wrong with her foot that I could tell. So I don't know if she's dislocated it or if she's ill, please help!

UPDATE 8/24/2024: I am still crying as I write this. Unfortunately, everything we tried was unsuccessful. When we found her today, she couldn't even use her legs or her neck really, she was just flailing around without any kind of coordination. We had to make the most heartwrenching decision today. I hope we never have to for any other bird again. RIP Delores, you were an amazing bird, a great egger, and the most wonderful mama.

 

[Eggcessive]

Oh, I am sorry that you lost her. What state are you in? Most state vet labs will perform a necropsy on a backyard chicken for a reasonable fee, to find out what killed them. You must wrap the body in 2 clean garbage bags, and keep the body in a cooler on ice or in the refrigerator (do not freeze it.) Here is a list of most state vet labs that you can contact on Monday along with instructions:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[Wyorp Rock]

UPDATE 8/24/2024: I am still crying as I write this. Unfortunately, everything we tried was unsuccessful. When we found her today, she couldn't even use her legs or her neck really, she was just flailing around without any kind of coordination. We had to make the most heartwrenching decision today. I hope we never have to for any other bird again. RIP Delores, you were an amazing bird, a great egger, and the most wonderful mama.

I'm so sorry to hear about Delores