Should I be worried?

[Pent]

I went out to feed my chickens tonight, and one silver laced wyandotte pullet hung back away from the food, while everyone else chowed down. Her posture was rounded, with her head tucked in, and she made strange motions, almost like when you have the flu and your stomach lurches like you're going to throw up, but your mouth doesn't open. Her crop looks quite full, but when I touch it it feels soft with a lot of give, like its full of fluid instead of hard, like the others after eating their fermented feed.

Its raining today; the coop and shavings are dry, but they were scratching around the run quite a bit. Is it possible she just found a lot of worms and stuff and feels very full, or should I be worried? What should I do? I can take her in for the night, if that might help...

*edit* Ok from what I've read it's probably sour crop... right? I'll take her in and see what I can do for her.

 

[seminolewind]

I guess you should check her in the morning after not eating all night and see if her crop goes down. I don't know how old they are but did you think of coccidiosis?

 

[Pent]

oh, jeeze you don't think its that, do you? I thought feeding the FF reduced the chances of that drastically?

 

[Pent]

Here's a picture of her, really hoping she's ok 'cause she's a beautiful pullet. My hand is in there for an idea of size.

 

[Eggcessive]

It does no harm to treat for coccidiosis if you suspect it. Get some Corid (amprollium) tomorrow morning if you can--it doesn't hurt to keep it on hand even if you don't use it this time. Dosage is 1/2 teaspoonful of powder or 2 teaspoonsful of liquid to 1 gallon of water. Treat all chickens in coop for at least 5 days. Check her crop in the morning before she eats to make sure it is empty. If not, it may be impacted. Treatment for that is to give 5 ml. of olive or vegetable oil with a syringe or dropper by mouth and massage the crop in a downward motion several times a day.. If you think it is impacted do not give anything but water during day 1 except olive oil. 2nd day you can give some yogurt and applesauce if she is having bowel movements. Keep massaging the crop.

 

[Pent]

whereabouts would i look for that? drug store, or would i need to see a vet?

 

[Pent]

Ok, its morning and her crop still seems full of fluid. So olive oil? No bloody poop at least, just some small poop, and the most recent one looks watery.

 

[seminolewind]

Is there an odor near her mouth?

 

[Pent]

Not that I can detect. My nose is notoriously poor, however. She seems to be doing somewhat better; she's interested in food again, and massaging her crop makes it feel smaller. Its still soft and squishy, though. I've provided yogurt and she ate that enthusiastically, and seems to be feeling more normal. Her crop still hasn't shrunk to the usual size, however. It feels noticeably different than that of my other birds.
I don't suppose eating a wasp could do this? There's a nest forming in the coop I've been meaning to get rid of...

 

[Eggcessive]

Just saw your post from this am. Corid is available at farm stores in the cattle/pig/goat section.