Poorly hens

[miss rigby]

Hi,

I just wanted to get some advice on my 2 hens (Tiffany and Veronica).
I have been away for 10 days and while I was away the chickens went to a boarding place and have not been themselves since they've got back (about 2 weeks ago).
They've been the vet and Tiffany had sour crop, which was treated by the vet but didn't get much better so I syringed her with keifer yogurt for 3 days and today she seemed a bit better, livelier and eating at least (mealworms, tomatoes etc). I've also given them apple cider vinegar in their water.

However, neither of them seem themselves at all. Quite slow and they keep falling asleep standing up in the garden. They both lost a lot of weight while at the boarding place (I've no idea what they did to them for them to come back to me in such a poorly state) but Tiffany is at least eating a little bit today. If I squeeze the crop Tiffany doesn't throw up anymore (she did at the vets and then the day after) but it doesn't smell good.

Is there anything I can do for them? Or is it a case of waiting it out? Should I still be keeping them warm or are they best in the garden have a mooch round? Shall I continue with the keifer stuff if it seems to be helping or is 3 days of it enough?

Thanks so much for any help you can offer

 

[DizzyDawn]

if you have a fishing tackle shop near you, you could try maggots. (gonna regret saying this, but) We've never had problems with sour crop or impacted but have read quite a few articles where people have tried using live maggots. The maggots themselves love the warmth and sourness of the crop and will work their round and dislodge any impaction and will only die once they've started their journey through the gullet. Can you squeeze the crop around gently? Try and break up any impaction? Keep up with the ACV as this will give them a bit of a boost to their immune system. Also some honey mixed into warm water should give them a little energy. If they're lethargic, they'll be less inclined to eat. Id also find out and maybe go and have a look at how they keep and what they feed chickens that they are boarding. My advice would be a neighbour or relative to look after them in future :/
Hope they make a quick and full recovery xxx

 

[miss rigby]

Thanks for your reply. I'm not sure it is definitely an impacted crop? How would I be able to tell if it is? They are both pooping ok... although it's not as big as normal but I figured that is because they both skinny. Tiffany only did very water poo yesterday but I guess that's because of the kiefer yogurt.

 

[Silkiesarefluffydinos]

if you have a fishing tackle shop near you, you could try maggots. (gonna regret saying this, but) We've never had problems with sour crop or impacted but have read quite a few articles where people have tried using live maggots. The maggots themselves love the warmth and sourness of the crop and will work their round and dislodge any impaction and will only die once they've started their journey through the gullet. Can you squeeze the crop around gently? Try and break up any impaction? Keep up with the ACV as this will give them a bit of a boost to their immune system. Also some honey mixed into warm water should give them a little energy. If they're lethargic, they'll be less inclined to eat. Id also find out and maybe go and have a look at how they keep and what they feed chickens that they are boarding. My advice would be a neighbour or relative to look after them in future :/
Hope they make a quick and full recovery xxx

I agree. I've never heard of using live Maggots, but your should probaby check out that boarding place, and next time you go our of town, see if a family memeber/friend can check on them everyday or every other day. Honey and water should work to give them a live more energy so they aren't so lethargic. The vet only found the sour crop on one of them but nothing else was wrong?

 

[DizzyDawn]

It could possibly be, they just aren't happy.... chickens are creatures of habit and they probably didn't appreciate being moved to somewhere else and to someone who doesn't really have the time to check on their needs fully. Keep giving the bio yogurt and honey/water mix. Although it could be the yogurt making her mouth smell. If she is impacted it'll sit there and fester. If you feel her crop and its rock hard and there is no movement, then its impacted. Did you see what the vet took out?

 

[chickens really]

Hello....Chickens are not like having a Dog or a Cat..They are highly susceptible to disease transfer..All Chickens have disease they carry, with that said, they begin to show symptoms once under stress..Keep your Birds on their regular Chicken feed and fresh water...Don't board them anymore...
Best of luck....

 

[miss rigby]

Yeah I'm definitely going to complain to the boarding place, I'm not happy with them at all. They've been to different places before and they were absolutely fine (although that was a shorter amount of time).

The vet only found the sour crop on one but gave the other one an injection (maybe was antibiotics?) and also something orally to treat the thrush. The vet also made her sick and the food and water she'd eaten that day came up. They didn't say that there was anything else wrong. Is it best to check for impacted crop first thing in the morning or will i feel it at any time of day?

Apart from the random sleeping in the garden (something they haven't done before) and being a little slower they are acting relatively normal? I'll give them the honey and water and also the ACV and their normal food and see how they get on.

Thanks for your replies!

 

[miss rigby]

My lovely chicken died last night , I'm utterly heartbroken. I think it was all my fault as well, she had some crap sticking out of her vent so I removed it but it turned out to be a very long piece of grass and gunk and after I did that she had a fit and died in my arms. If I'd have just left her be she might have lived?
I feel so sad and so sorry for her, she deserved better.

 

[chickens really]

No...The Bird was beyond fixing...Chickens hide disease very well until they become too sick to recover..I Cull all sick birds..Sad but needed...