Non emergent: hen vomited

[Sassysouth]

Here are pictures. She seems fine, poop looks normal, egg may be a little on the heavy side. I have not dewormed her. I see no mites on her (or anywhere). She has eaten today.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've seen an occasional chicken just vomit up water, nothing became of it, so it could be nothing. I would worry more if it happened more, or the chicken isn't acting right.

 

[sbhkma]

The only things that flagged for me what an empty crop at night and the rest of the flock suddenly picking on her apparently rather stridently. Is that just dust on her comb and head?

 

[Sassysouth]

Pic from the summer. I think she is on the far left.

Here is a close up from today.

The only things that flagged for me what an empty crop at night and the rest of the flock suddenly picking on her apparently rather stridently. Is that just dust on her comb and head?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They all look to be sex links? Which I have found to need a higher protein diet due to their higher production otherwise you can see some aggression out of them as they crave protein.

 

[Sassysouth]

They are Red Production (although I only have 1 right now), they laid 6 eggs each a week.

I have noticed when I would break open their eggs, I always ended up with small pieces of shell in my yolk/whites. I never had that problem with grocery store eggs. I feed them Layena Oyster Strong and separately offer oyster shell. They would never eat the oyster shell, but would eat crumbled eggshells.
I bought Silkie chicks the other day and it was recommended that I feed them turkey feed because it has higher protein.?.?.?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I feed either a non medicated grower or an All Flock with a protein content of 18-22%. I no longer keep higher production birds because they would turn into egg eaters or feather pickers back when I fed a 16% layer.

My birds do much better not being fed layer and having a separate dish of oyster shells. They will always gobble up any egg shells too.

I haven't had any sex links since switching to a higher protein feed, so I can't say for sure if it would help those breeds, but I do know my flock is healthier and my eggs stronger since the switch. I do keep Ancona, andalusian and Polish that lay nearly every day for months, so they are close to production birds.

My bantam flock has been fed a starter grower for years and they are very healthy.

 

[Abriana]

Sometimes if chickens overfill their crop with water and then lower their heads to peck at something, some water comes back up. I don't think there is a major issue here but I suggest watching her just in case

 

[Wyorp Rock]

At this time, I don't see anything concerning, that's a nice looking egg and she appears bright eyed. If she seems to be fine, then I would just keep an eye on her for any off behavior and just let her be.

I see that @oldhenlikesdogs has given some great suggestions about feed. I do like using a Flock Raiser type feed as well. The higher protein is good, plus you don't have to buy separate feed for different age groups.

 

[sbhkma]

Totally agree on the flock raiser. It's what I use as well. They always have a bowl of oyster shell if they need it. I use the Purina Flock Raiser crumbles at 20% protein. Then when they're molting I add in some mealworms and tuna. Sassysouth, your hen looks good to me too. Nice bright eyes, healthy comb wattles and feathers. If she's eating and drinking and typically active for HER, as all birds have different activity levels - I had one who was so crazy-active I named her Chaos!