Hey everyone- I've only had chickens for about 3 months. I got a perfectly healthy 13 month old hen about 3 weeks ago- she was laying at the time. About 2 weeks ago, the hen stopped laying. I attributed this to the stress of the move, and she was in a molt. About 1 week ago, I noticed I hadn't seen her eat from the feeder...still taking treats of scrambled egg and yogurt. I also noticed she would just sit in the coop and sleep...alot...Then she stopped taking the treats two days ago...I was sure there was a problem at this point. This morning, my husband and I managed to grab her (just as she thought she was getting out to free range, the poor thing
I'm not looking to be redirected to the FAQ sour crop posts, or similar. I've read them. I'm hoping for someone to kind of walk me through this as it is happening.
In order to be helpful
1) What type of bird , age and weight.
EE, 14 months (almost) no idea of weight.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Described above- not eating, listless, tail drooping. Still taking water.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
About 1 week since not eating normally.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No, just her.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
nope.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
I don't have grit down, and I think maybe she ate some long grass???
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Southern States Layer feed (but not eating it) and plain water.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Super runny, and mostly a clear viscous liquid with yellow mixed in. It almost looks like... a raw egg broken up.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
She's been isolated, on newspaper. Per some of the forums, we drained some of the liquid from her crop by holding her upside down. It was foul smelling and a significant amount. She had no access to food today, and water with OACV. I'm not sure she had any water today.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
Would like to treat myself. There isn't an avian vet nearby- Also I think this is common enough that we should be able to handle it.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
I don't. Her crop isn't huge, so I'm not sure it would show in a picture. It just feels like a slightly blown up balloon. A bit squishy. I wasn't sure if it was liquid or gas at first...but liquid is what came out!
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Crate in the garage, lined with newspaper.
I purchased some vitamins "Avitron" is the brand, just from the pet store. It was in the bird section. Haven't given any yet.
So...my question is have I done the right thing so far? What should I do next?
I'll prob check on her before I go to bed (10pm) and then again in the AM.
Any help at all is greatly appreciated. If you need more info- please let me know. I'm relying on my "chickenbook" people to help me and "Giada" through this ordeal!
I'm not looking to be redirected to the FAQ sour crop posts, or similar. I've read them. I'm hoping for someone to kind of walk me through this as it is happening.
In order to be helpful
1) What type of bird , age and weight.
EE, 14 months (almost) no idea of weight.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Described above- not eating, listless, tail drooping. Still taking water.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
About 1 week since not eating normally.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No, just her.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
nope.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
I don't have grit down, and I think maybe she ate some long grass???
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Southern States Layer feed (but not eating it) and plain water.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Super runny, and mostly a clear viscous liquid with yellow mixed in. It almost looks like... a raw egg broken up.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
She's been isolated, on newspaper. Per some of the forums, we drained some of the liquid from her crop by holding her upside down. It was foul smelling and a significant amount. She had no access to food today, and water with OACV. I'm not sure she had any water today.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
Would like to treat myself. There isn't an avian vet nearby- Also I think this is common enough that we should be able to handle it.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
I don't. Her crop isn't huge, so I'm not sure it would show in a picture. It just feels like a slightly blown up balloon. A bit squishy. I wasn't sure if it was liquid or gas at first...but liquid is what came out!
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Crate in the garage, lined with newspaper.
I purchased some vitamins "Avitron" is the brand, just from the pet store. It was in the bird section. Haven't given any yet.
So...my question is have I done the right thing so far? What should I do next?
I'll prob check on her before I go to bed (10pm) and then again in the AM.
Any help at all is greatly appreciated. If you need more info- please let me know. I'm relying on my "chickenbook" people to help me and "Giada" through this ordeal!
