My Comet in a Stupor- won’t eat

[sleigh8]

My elder Comet (adopted- no idea of age, but more than 3 yrs) has been the fearless, friendliest protector of my tiny pet flock and most abundant egg producer.
Yesterday she woke up confused and is still that way. She is molting. But this goes beyond that. Nothing physically wrong that I can see. Red comb.
But seems like she suddenly lost all her memory of how to be! Just stands, stares, or maybe sits, eyes open or closed. No eating, drinking, or wandering. Day 2.
I’m keeping her near me on porch and her 2 faithful hen girls are staying near her, too.

Any ideas what could be going on? She has liquid poo—.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Have you checked her over for bugs? I've witnessed some go into a daze if they're overwhelmed with them.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Checking her over for lice/mites is a very good idea.

Do check to see if her crop is emptying overnight.
Molting birds can often have trouble, so I'd try direct dosing her with poultry vitamins to see if that makes a difference. Work on hydration and see if she will be enticed with a little cooked egg, wet feed, tuna, etc.

She may have more going on, even if she's in molt, sometimes an underlying condition like reproductive issues can cause a decline.

 

[sleigh8]

I think I’ve narrowed it down to sour crop. I’m going to massage her crop 4 times today and give her a dropper of either olive oil or apple cider vinegar alternately. I’ve done it once today and already she is a bit more alert and it stimulated her digestion within 5 minutes!
I’ll check back to let you know if this is working. If her poop solidifies and she eats again, I’ll know it’s working.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If the crop is sour, then using a yeast or anti-fungal cream is quite effective as a treatment.

Hopefully she will start to improve. I have found that most of the time, if a hen is having crop problems, there's an underlying condition like reproductive disorders. Infection, worms and/or coccidiosis can also be contributors to a slow and sour crop as well.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/