Older Hen with Slow Crop: Slow Crop Treatment with Updates

[elissarules]

Hey guys! I have an older hen who is a red comet. She’s about 5 or 6 years old... I’m not too sure. But she was recently molting, poor thing, and of course during the cold. I’m aware that she has frostbite on her comb, and she has an impacted crop. Another hen has feet lice and was wondering if she had it too. I’m not too sure, so that’s why I attached some pictures.

For impacted crop, I know I’m supposed to keep her from eating. My question is how? I can’t really bring her inside (my mother would have a cow) and I don’t really have any cages to put her in other than a wire-cage like trap or a cat carrier. If I have to buy a cage, I guess I will but I’d really prefer to not. I massaged her crop today too, but how long should I massage her for time-wise. I know I’m supposed to do t like once a day until it isn’t as squishy, but like 5 minutes a day? A minute? Her crop is HUGE! It’s bigger than my hand!

As far as frostbite goes, there isn’t much I can do now, right? Now I know to put vaseline or coconut oil on their combs and wattles when it’s supposed to get this cold.

And the feet lice thing is going to be overwhelming. I plan on going and buying some decotemous earth today and I heard there’s some spray I can use. Because these older hens aren’t as used to me, scrubbing their feet sounds like it’s not going to work. I might be able to put vaseline on there because that seems like a quick job. But let me know if it’s a must, then I’ll do my best.

Lastly, there seems to be something wrong with her facial skin - it looks ashy and dry? Is that just the cold? Or a symptom of something more?

Thank you guys so much. I’m very worried about everything and I’m a little overwhelmed. Any and all help will be appreciated. Attached are some pictures of the older hen.

 

[N Sully]

Hopefully her feet didn’t freeze.

 

[elissarules]

Hopefully her feet didn’t freeze.

Oh no! What if they did??

 

[N Sully]

a local vet tech told me it happened to her. Minus 20 degrees for a few days and comb had frostbite damage. 2-3 weeks later the feet started to blacken and fall off. I did not know that could even happen.

 

[elissarules]

a local vet tech told me it happened to her. Minus 20 degrees for a few days and comb had frostbite damage. 2-3 weeks later the feet started to blacken and fall off. I did not know that could even happen.

Oh dang!! I’m so sorry that happened

 

[CapricornFarm]

Forget diatomaceous earth it is not effective. Looks like she scaly feet. Apply vaseline. You have lots of issues with her. You need to be sure your coop has adequate ventilation. Posting pictures will help give people an idea what you need there.
I would try to isolate her so you can treat her crop issue. Even if you have a garage or someplace to keep her temporarily.
I am sure other members will assist you in the morning. Good luck with your hen.

 

[CapricornFarm]

You can also search each condition you are concerned about. Lots of info to read up on. How is she?

 

[elissarules]

You can also search each condition you are concerned about. Lots of info to read up on. How is she?

I wish I read this earlier! I already bought some diacotemous earth. People said that it would work :/

Found out with some more research that she has some crop, not impacted. I bought the stuff for her, and I'm following multiple advice for her. I'm going to put her in a trap wire cage (you can see it in the pic) tonight and give her probiotic water in the morning. Since I'm a college student, it's kinda hard timing stuff like some of the articles suggest. But they recommended not giving her food for 24 hours (including the overnight caging) and then seeing her condition. I really doubt that 36 hours are really gonna make a huge difference, but I'm going to use that to prep her. I'm then going to try and empty her crop over the next couple of days while feeding her organic plain Greek yogurt with some layer feed.

The worst thing about the coop is that I've never had issues with this before! But we didn't pay too much attention to the chickens' health before.... I have a very old house and an antique, house-looking coop that came with the property. I plan on making making more major adjustments when it gets warmer. I’m having a hard time figuring out good bedding and it’s a little overwhelming since my family don’t really care.

I’ll look into scaly feet! I bought a tub of petroleum jelly, grits, and probiotics to help.

Thank you soooo much!!

 

[CapricornFarm]

I just use pine shavings, not cedar for bedding. Cleaned out the whole coop today, sprayed for mites. Aired it out and replaced shavings. Good warm 60's day for it.
Hope your chicken does well.

 

[Dawnclucks22]

As far as I know the only way to keep her from eating is isolating her. If she's hungry she'll eat if there's food available. You may well have to buy a cage.
Make sure her area is well ventilated but that it's warm enough for her. Don't use a heat lamp or she'll never adjust.
Make sure she drinks lots of water and get her crop flushed out. I hope all goes well!