My old girl is not doing well

[BigBlueHen53]

How does her crop feel?

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you answer my question about how her crop feels—empty, full, hard, doughy, or puffy? Chickens can survive a long time if they take fluids. A lot depends on how much weight she has lost. I have had a couple with impacted or sour crop last 6 weeks, as long as they drank. If her crop is empty and flat, she might have a reproductive disorder or something else. Cancer is common in 30% of hens over 2 years, I was just reading recently. If she ever seems to be suffering, I would consider putting her down. I usually do a necropsy on any hens I lose to look at their abdominal organs to try and figure out what was wrong. Most state vets will perform an even more complete necropsy if you should lose her.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Oops, sorry, @Eggcessive, did not see that you had already asked that.

 

[Eggcessive]

Oops, sorry, @Eggcessive, did not see that you had already asked that.

We posted at the same time or close to it.

 

[valerienewton]

Keep trying, IMHO, if she is older and is mildly anemic, it could take her longer to recover. (recovery from anemia takes a while)
It would take longer than a young hen, who has more reserves.
Does she feel thin?

Someone on this thread said they didn’t think she was anemic because her combs are still red! I have no idea but she definitely is at least 8 years old - she belonged to my friends mom who passed away so we figure she was born around 2014 or or shortly before. I can’t figure while she will let me give her water but nothing else. I just can’t imagine that she can recover from this but when I talk to her she perks up! Won’t necessarily open her eyes but she does stand (for a few seconds) and she talks to me faintly. I don’t know how long it will take her to cross over if that’s what is going to happen but I’m just trying to keep her warm and comfortable and near me & the cats.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

She is a handsome old soul.

 

[valerienewton]

Can you answer my question about how her crop feels—empty, full, hard, doughy, or puffy? Chickens can survive a long time if they take fluids. A lot depends on how much weight she has lost. I have had a couple with impacted or sour crop last 6 weeks, as long as they drank. If her crop is empty and flat, she might have a reproductive disorder or something else. Cancer is common in 30% of hens over 2 years, I was just reading recently. If she ever seems to be suffering, I would consider putting her down. I usually do a necropsy on any hens I lose to look at their abdominal organs to try and figure out what was wrong. Most state vets will perform an even more complete necropsy if you should lose her.

Hi. I don’t even know what crop means! All I know is she had a ton of mites and she has hook worms which I was treating her for before all this started last Friday. We (my nephew) bathed her in Dawn and got so many mites off her. All that bathing probably didn’t help matters except to get rid of the mites! I don’t think she has any egg issue as she is elderly and has never laid an egg since I got her September 15, 2019. She been healthy and happy until last Friday.

 

[valerienewton]

She is a handsome old soul.

She has stuff all over her. I liquified eggs and spinach and I got more on her than in her! Same with the Nutridrench! It’s everywhere! All the stuff on her is from me trying to force feed her! I don’t know what else to try to get in her but every morning when I get up - she’s the same.

 

[LaFleche]

Hi. I don’t even know what crop means! All I know is she had a ton of mites and she has hook worms which I was treating her for before all this started last Friday. We (my nephew) bathed her in Dawn and got so many mites off her. All that bathing probably didn’t help matters except to get rid of the mites! I don’t think she has any egg issue as she is elderly and has never laid an egg since I got her September 15, 2019. She been healthy and happy until last Friday.

In case the worm infestation was serious, the deworming can make the chicken feel sick, as the dying worms excrete toxins. The dead entangled worms might even lead to blockage of the intestines.

How do her droppings look?

 

[valerienewton]

In case the worm infestation was serious, the deworming can make the chicken feel sick, as the dying worms excrete toxins. The dead entangled worms might even lead to blockage of the intestines.

How do her droppings look?

Liquid and disgusting!