Sick hen- not eating but drinking a lot, lethargic.

[Rubys mum]

Hi there, have just joined in this as had to google 'why is my hen drinking a lot' and saw someone else seems to have exactly the same issue. Ive only had my hen 3 weeks, she is s 20mth old reject from the local 'egg farm' and has been perfectly well up until 3 days ago when I noticed she wasnt that interested in eating but very keen on drinking. Ive looked in my chook book and it says sour crop can feel hard? Not sure but my girls is squishy. ive massaged it and given her some rescue remedy and Im wondering if the probem happened because I put some lawn clippings in their run? I feel awful and just want her better!

 

[rdilbarova]

I'm no expert, but let me just tell you what I know, and maybe someone else can jump in.
There is sour crop and impacted crop. One feels soft and the other hard, and I tend to mix them up, so just google to confirm what I say.
I am pretty sure sour crop is soft and has a smell coming from the beak.
My girl had an impacted crop, which was hard. My other chick also had an impacted crop. I have no idea about how to deal with sour crop.
The hen ate some fresh straw, which is pretty stiff, and got herself hurt.

I do not think lawn clippings will do anything to your birds. I give mine some all the time and they are perfectly fine.

Otherwise, just make sure her crop empties in the morning before she has any food to eat. If not, you have a problem.
She may also be egg bound. This can happen partly due to a lack of calcium, and since she was on an egg farm she probably was not getting much. Has she been laying?
Finally, (or probably the first thing you should do) check her poop. Make sure it looks good.

 

[Maplechicken]

Try some food she likes mixed with natural yoghurt, if she wont eat it use a shringe but be careful you dont force it into her lungs.
It has worked a few of my chicks, could be sour crop but I'm no expert none the less worth a try.