My old gal is gasping :(

[BirdIsTheWurd]

I need advice! My EE will be 11 years old in a couple weeks and I'm concerned she won't make it to her birthday. Every evening, when I shine a flashlight into the coop, she is there panting and gasping for air. There's liquid in her beak too.

Here's the thing though: during the day she is fine! She is eating and behaving normally in daylight hours. SO I don't think it's gapeworm or anything like that.

She sleeps in the nest box (too old to roost anymore, she's been sleeping in the box for over a year) and I'm wondering if has to do with lying down. Maybe it's pushing on her crop or something?

This chicken has survived impacted crop twice in her almost 11 years. She also had pendulous crop once for a few weeks. These events were all years ago, but just wondering if she somehow has a compromised crop.

Any ideas what this could be? Things I can do to help her?

Thanks in advance.

 

[azygous]

Here's something to read to refresh you knowledge of crop disorders. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

First you need to confirm a crop disorder by checking the crop first thing in the morning before she eats or drinks. Then you must identify the specific issue and then treat it.

Crop issues seem to be more frequently an issue with older chickens. They may sometimes be triggered by a reproductive issue, so you will need to think about the possibility of egg binding since an obstruction can affect the crop function. But then, so can a tumor.

 

[BirdIsTheWurd]

Thank you for the info. Definitely not egg binding... my almost-11-yr-old gal just laid another egg today. She is amazing!
I am treating for sour crop because that seems to fit her symptoms best. But still concerned and curious as to why it's only at night.

 

[azygous]

Well, all chickens go to roost with full crops. You need to check in the morning and if the crop is full then, that's when you're dealing with a crop issue.

 

[BirdIsTheWurd]

Well, all chickens go to roost with full crops. You need to check in the morning and if the crop is full then, that's when you're dealing with a crop issue.

Yes, I know. But she doesn't have a full crop in the morning. And I'm thinking it's not sour crop either. There's been no improvement. Maybe it's a tumor