Sick chicken, any ideas?

[iloverunnerducks]

This morning we went into the coop to pick up eggs and found our one -year-old leghorn chicken lying in the dirt at the door of the coop. No obvious external injuries, and was acting fine yesterday morning. She has a milky liquid coming out of her mouth. She's limp, but still breathing. We separated her from the flock and tried to give her water, but she didn't drink it. She laid yesterday but not today. If you have any ideas what this might be or how we can fix it please comment below.

 

[iloverunnerducks]

Our leghorn is now dead. Another chicken died three days ago of what we thought was natural causes due to old age however, with the second death so soon thereafter we are now worried that it is in fact a contagious disease. Any ideas?

 

[FeatheredFriends&Horses2]

I'm so sorry!
The leghorn sounds like it might have been sour crop. If you're able, you may open up the beak and see if a rancid smell is coming from it. As far as I know, sour crop itself is not contagious, so it could just be a very sad coincidence that you lost two birds, however it may be caused by something that they're eating. Check their food for mold, and check on all of the other birds. Watch for liquid coming out of their mouths and if possible, smell their breath. Sour crop smells somewhat like rancid yogurt.

 

[Henriettamom919]

I'm so sorry!
The leghorn sounds like it might have been sour crop. If you're able, you may open up the beak and see if a rancid smell is coming from it. As far as I know, sour crop itself is not contagious, so it could just be a very sad coincidence that you lost two birds, however it may be caused by something that they're eating. Check their food for mold, and check on all of the other birds. Watch for liquid coming out of their mouths and if possible, smell their breath. Sour crop smells somewhat like rancid yogurt.

That was going to be my guess, too. Sour crop can be caused by other factors like worms; is it possible they have/had worms? And definitely check their food water and bedding for smelly or molded seed.

I'm so sorry

Eta- I'd add some ACV to the water for the rest of your flock as its often added to treatment regimens for sour crop/worm prevention.

 

[iloverunnerducks]

Thanks so much for your ideas! We will definitely try your suggestions!

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry for your loss. Chickens usually don’t vomit unless they have a crop problem, except when they are dying and the muscles relax. If you still have the body, wrap it in 2 garbage bags, and refrigerate it but don’t freeze it. Then you can contact your state vet to get a necropsy. Ask about getting a Fedex shipping label for overnight shipping which they can add to the bill. That is the best way to get an answer.