Sick Chicken w Pics, I've no idea what's wrong

[OG Anomaly]

I forgot to ask, how is her crop today?

It is much smaller and hard.

 

[OG Anomaly]

If she was still pooping that yellow/green stuff I would have suggested starting her on the amoxicillin, but her poop looks pretty good, save it for another time.

If she has a soft-shelled egg she is trying to pass that certainly could explain many of her symptoms. When I have one like that I give them calcium orally (250 mg for her size), wait a couple of hours, fill my bathroom with steam, place them on the counter in a crate or open box, and turn the lights off.

Wow, interesting. What does the steam do for them?
I don't have any calcium on hand, I could probably pick some up.

 

[casportpony]

Wow, interesting. What does the steam do for them?
I don't have any calcium on hand, I could probably pick some up.

The steam is warm, so it relaxes their muscles. It's what my vet suggested when treating egg binding. Many people soak their birds in the sink, but I think it's too stressful for a sick bird.

 

[casportpony]

Do you have any tums? Tums are basically calcium carbonate, so you could use that instead, though it would be better if you could get some human calcium citrate or calcium gluconate for cattle.

 

[OG Anomaly]

The stream warm, so it relaxes their muscles. It's what my vet suggested when treating egg binding. Many people soak their birds in the sink, but I think it's too stressful for a sick bird.

huh! I've used shower steam to help with respiratory problems, but never heard of it as a muscle relaxer, really interesting.

 

[casportpony]

huh! I've used shower steam to help with respiratory problems, but never heard of it as a muscle relaxer, really interesting.

Same principle as soaking them.

 

[OG Anomaly]

Same principle as soaking them.

Same principle as soaking them.

I guess it would work like a sauna. I haven't spent much time around those, lol, so I never think about using steam for symptoms other than respiratory, good to know, thanks .

I have an off topic questions now...if you think I should start a new thread, just let me know. It is this:
What's your preferred method of removing dried poop from feathers?
That stuff is like cement! I was going to try Murphy's Oil Soap next.
I think I need to resign myself to the fact that I'm either going to have to try the sit and soak, or carefully snip some feathers.
That's how I dealt with it the last time I had to, but it was only in a couple spots. This poor girl has it smeared all over her breast and belly.
She is not a pet and used to being held, haha. I've gotten a little off, but then thought 'Hey, maybe one of the experts has a secret recipe or technique!'

I'm hoping the water & rubbing will help loosen things up too.
How worried do I need to be that she hasn't yet laid an egg? Is missing a day normal, under the circumstances?

 

[casportpony]

She is not a pet and used to being held, haha. I've gotten a little off, but then thought 'Hey, maybe one of the experts has a secret recipe or technique!'

How dirty is she?

 

[rebrascora]

Wow! A 5lb leghorn with a 2-3 body score!!! You must be doing something right!
I certainly got the diagnosis wrong then! Clearly not a crop problem. It's always really difficult to assess what is going on with a bird from a description and photo.

Many people find that their chicken picks up after a warm soak, but as with most things, there are slight risks as well as potential benefits. I do not have a bathroom that would generate the warmth and steam required so that would not be an option for me. I do not think it is a good idea to bathe a very sick, frail bird, but your bird doesn't seem to be in that category at the moment. If you can generate a steam room then certainly, go with that.

I too would probably be leaning towards a shell less egg causing the problem now. They are very difficult for the bird to expel and make them very weary from the constant straining, especially if she has had a run of them.
As birds get towards the end of their egg laying cycle, it is not uncommon for them to become weak shelled or shell less. As has been suggested a direct dose of calcium should help.

 

[Abriana]

I would add some Epsom salts to the bath water.
Glad to hear everything is heading in the right direction!