Ooh I think this is sour crop!

[PluckyJen]

@PluckyJen I know you said her breastbone seemed prominent but does her abdomen feel squishy to you at all?

It does feel squishy yes.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

It does feel squishy yes.

Ok, so squishy abdomen can be a sign of an infection like what is being suggested above and may be why she started to perk up when antibiotics were given. If she isn't old and she isn't laying eggs, that's another reason to think it could be from reproductive issues. My concern is with the "drooling" and squishy abdomen that can also be a sign of water belly.

 

[PluckyJen]

Ok, so squishy abdomen can be a sign of an infection like what is being suggested above and may be why she started to perk up when antibiotics were given. If she isn't old and she isn't laying eggs, that's another reason to think it could be from reproductive issues. My concern is with the "drooling" and squishy abdomen that can also be a sign of water belly.

I had honestly thought she was more depressed and lonely, that attributed to not laying. Gosh I'm so confused. She hasn't had any drooling today. I'll look up water belly.

 

[abpatchy]

I just had the case with one of my hens. Vet clinic is closed during the holidays and new year. So I took her to a regular vet. She made her vomit and said it smells like a bacterial infection. She got antibiotics. It worked. She is back to her old self.
She smelled kinda sour and yet had a sweet smell as well.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I had honestly thought she was more depressed and lonely, that attributed to not laying. Gosh I'm so confused. She hasn't had any drooling today. I'll look up water belly.

It can be from depression I've had a hen that stopped laying when her closest buddy passed away and I think it was about 6 months with no eggs from her too but it's not typical and with everything else your describing it's starting to look more like it could be a symptom. It's good to look at everything going on because diagnosing a chicken can be like playing detective and once they're showing signs of lethargy it has usually been going on for quite some time and they've been hiding it.

 

[PluckyJen]

It can be from depression I've had a hen that stopped laying when her closest buddy passed away and I think it was about 6 months with no eggs from her too but it's not typical and with everything else your describing it's starting to look more like it could be a symptom. It's good to look at everything going on because diagnosing a chicken can be like playing detective and once they're showing signs of lethargy it has usually been going on for quite some time and they've been hiding it.

Absolutely agree 100%. Lol to the detective role, sooo true that. Gosh.
I really do hope she is going to get out of this. I let her in garden for a little free range today. I'm going to put her with the two new pullets tomorrow and see if we can get some enthusiasm going too for healing.
I'm going to keep up massaging her crop, probiotics, eggs, grit, water and faffing over her. Thanks so much for your support and advice. I really appreciate it.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Absolutely agree 100%. Lol to the detective role, sooo true that. Gosh.
I really do hope she is going to get out of this. I let her in garden for a little free range today. I'm going to put her with the two new pullets tomorrow and see if we can get some enthusiasm going too for healing.
I'm going to keep up massaging her crop, probiotics, eggs, grit, water and faffing over her. Thanks so much for your support and advice. I really appreciate it.

It's no problem at all, I hope she pulls through as well! A vitamin supplement can't hurt. It may help to give her a boost and to fight through whatever she's dealing with. If vet is still an option for you it might be worth taking her back in for a follow up if it continues and doesn't appear to be sour crop after caring for her a bit.
@Wyorp Rock has helped me to get to the bottom of many mysteries in the past.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Morning all. My hen Harriet is almost 5 now. She has had a bout about 3 months ago of lethargic and head shaking. I was told by vet store that it's worms. Treated her and she was back up in no time.
Now the last week she has been off again.
Comb is dark on ends, lethargic, not bothered with food unless it's a treat. Still drinking water. Poops are green and white and watery. I noticed water or fluid coming out her beak yesterday. This morning her crop is squishy and I can feel some left over food in it. I can feel her breastbone now too which means she is losing weight quick.
So my question is, how do I treat my baby and get her well again? Never had this before. Thank you in advance. You are all amazing sources of information and help.

She's 5 years old and she's stopped laying eggs?

Often symptoms of crop problems are caused by an underlying condition like a reproductive disorder. With her age and not laying eggs, this may be the cause.
The course of action I usually take would be to treat symptoms and make the hen comfortable. Follow the article linked below for treating sour crop. Hopefully you will find that you can resolve the crop issue. The cause likely will still be there and you will just have to monitor her daily to see how she's doing. I've had hens wax and wain for a good period of time before they eventually stayed in a period of decline and had to be put down.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[CluckNDoodle]

She's 5 years old and she's stopped laying eggs?

Often symptoms of crop problems are caused by an underlying condition like a reproductive disorder. With her age and not laying eggs, this may be the cause.
The course of action I usually take would be to treat symptoms and make the hen comfortable. Follow the article linked below for treating sour crop. Hopefully you will find that you can resolve the crop issue. The cause likely will still be there and you will just have to monitor her daily to see how she's doing. I've had hens wax and wain for a good period of time before they eventually stayed in a period of decline and had to be put down.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Wow! That was record timing! Were you already here or did you just see my tag? Lol! You're a wizard!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Wow! That was record timing! Were you already here or did you just see my tag? Lol! You're a wizard!

I'm not that fast!
I must have been typing when you tagged me.