Sick Chicken? I just don't know

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As of today I have her back in the run/coop during the day and bringing her back in the house at night. She does not roost in the coop and is instead sleeping in the nesting box if I leave her out there. She pecks a little at the ground but not eating much and the only thing I can get her to eat is blueberries which seems weird. She looks at everything else (feed, hard boiled eggs, yogurt, etc.) with mild interest but does not eat :( Weird stretching and sideways movement of her neck today. What do you make of this behavior?
 
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jmcd said:
As of today I have her back in the run/coop during the day and bringing her back in the house at night. She does not roost in the coop and is instead sleeping in the nesting box if I leave her out there. She pecks a little at the ground but not eating much and the only thing I can get her to eat is blueberries which seems weird. She looks at everything else (feed, hard boiled eggs, yogurt, etc.) with mild interest but does not eat :( Weird stretching and sideways movement of her neck today. What do you make of this behavior?
Click to expand...
Looks like she's trying to adjust her crop.
Feel it when she goes to bed, then first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks. It should be empty in the morning. If it's not empty, then read the following article:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/impacted-slow-and-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments

Has she laid any eggs recently? It would be a good idea to feel her abdomen for any bloat/swelling or fluid.
 
Wyorp Rock said:
Looks like she's trying to adjust her crop.
Feel it when she goes to bed, then first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks. It should be empty in the morning. If it's not empty, then read the following article:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/impacted-slow-and-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments

Has she laid any eggs recently? It would be a good idea to feel her abdomen for any bloat/swelling or fluid.
Click to expand...
She has not laid any eggs since maybe early December. I just brought her in from being outside all day and her crop feels empty and her breastbone is very prominent. I am at a loss. I fell like she is starving and she will not eat on her own at all. She just stands there and looks miserable and it makes me so sad.
 
Are you certain her crop is empty? The video looks like she is trying to adjust her crop, such as when something is in there. Usually the crop is full of food then But occasionally we have seen a few videos where hens do the “crop adjusting thing” in a rythmic way that is actually a neurological symptom. It is a sign of something going on in the brain.
 
jmcd said:
She has not laid any eggs since maybe early December. I just brought her in from being outside all day and her crop feels empty and her breastbone is very prominent. I am at a loss. I fell like she is starving and she will not eat on her own at all. She just stands there and looks miserable and it makes me so sad.
Click to expand...
I would re-check it again in the morning, but would probably go ahead and try to treat her like she has an impaction somewhere. As suggested, Stool softener (stimulant free) one time won't hurt to see if that can get things moving. This has been going on for a while now.

I have found that a crop problem is usually a symptom of an underlying condition. For me, it's been reproductive problems. Some common reproductive problems are Egg Yolk Peritonitis, cancer, tumors, Internal Laying and Salpingitis. Inflammation/swelling, egg matter, infection, etc. in the body causes swelling internally - this can slow or even block the digestive system.

Some other common causes of crop issues are worms, coccidiosis and infection. These too can slow or block the digestive process. Sometimes the gizzard could be impacted with material as well.

I would also re-feel the abdomen for bloat, fluid or swelling.
You could try tube feeding her but it sounds like she is starting to shut down. She does need to be hydrated well before foods are introduced.

If she continues like this, you will need to decide if you have exhausted all treatment options and if she is suffering or in misery. Sometimes no matter what we do, they continue to decline - this is when a hard decision has to be made - whether to keep trying or to let them go.

If you happen to lose her, it would be good to get a necropsy through your state lab so you can find out the cause.
http://agri.nv.gov/Animals/Animal_Disease/Animal_Disease_Home/
You could also perform your own informal necrospy - take photos and post them here or on the necropsy thread - we will try to help you with what you see. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ning-contains-graphic-necropsy-photos.823961/
 
So sorry about your sick hen possibly dying. I usually put my chickens down with cutting the jugular in the neck where they bleed out in about a minute. If you would like to find out what was wrong with her, refrigerate the body (don’t freeze,) and contact your state vet with this link:
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm
 

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