Pukey Hen

[JacksonChickies]

So Fluffy has been "unwell" for a couple days and I could use some help pinpointing if it's something to worry about or what......

She is a "Cariboo Special", almost a year old. She laid all winter fairly regularly but we haven't gotten an egg in 2 weeks. We've cut out free range time (3 days) in hopes to make sure she wasn't laying in the yard, still no egg. My bigger concern is that in those 3 days she's been "cooped up" she's been pukey....for lack of a better word. My husband ioened the coop to check them yesterday and she promptly regurgitated liquid. We decuded to let them free range a bit tonight as we are outside and shes been acting normally, even enjoyed a great dust bath. I witnessed one poop and it was super small, and she has regurgitated fluid twice in 2ish hours. Her crop seems really engorged and floppy to look at. When you handle her it's soft, squushy and gravelly in the bottom.


On a side note....when should they molt???

 

[JacksonChickies]

This is the poop she had in the yard

 

[Eggcessive]

She looks like she could have a pendulous crop. The picture of your little one squeezing the crop would probably result in her throwing up crop contents, and she could choke on those. That is why we usually warn people not to squeeze or pick up a chicken if they have a large puffy crop. Does she have a bad or sour odor from her beak? She needs to have water available at all times. But check her crop early in the morning to see if her crop has emptied. A crop bra may be helpful with a pendulous crop. Here is a good article about crop disorders:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[JacksonChickies]

I have read the above article. Wanting to make sure I've covered all my bases as we are learning as well.

They have water available in the run that is changed daily. Yes, after she regurgitates it smells like hot sourkrout as mentioned in the article.

 

[JacksonChickies]

So, I removed the food from the coop overnight and checked her first thing this morning......she definitely wasn't empty. I'd guess less than half volume compared to the night before and not as gritty in the bottom 3rd. No smelly breath this morning either....

 

[JacksonChickies]

Ok so follow up.....she was doing better for a while and even layed for a week but now we're in the trenches again.....

I did some reading and am assuming a definite crop issue at this point as her crop wasn't emptying overnight and had lots of grit in it. She's been 2 days in isolation with water and coconut oil and some improvements....

She has less grit but is still quite large and squishy in the crop. We are starting to work on a bra/bib based on a post I found mentioned lots here but am unsure how to tell it's fitted right other than she empties her crop....any tips??

I'll post some relevant pictures below.

 

[JacksonChickies]

This is my "flock" celebrating their first birthday in May, Fluffy is the white barnyard mix. I'm pretty sure she has a pendulous crop based on how low it seems to sit. Side question, should I be concerned most of her chest feathers are currently broken and she doesn't seem to have gone through a molt this spring, while Cinnamon, another unknown breed, has?

 

[JacksonChickies]

I made up a makeshift bib/bra this morning using an old tensor bandage, can someone guide me as to if it is fit well or she is positioned properly??

 

[JacksonChickies]

She is currently quarantined in my bathroom while I let her adjust to the bib/bra and this was the first poop, should I be concerned?

I know it's a lot of questions but I am new to chickens, stressed with outside life situations and very concerned for my girls.

 

[JacksonChickies]

@Wyorp Rock , you are always super helpful....and insight?