Sick hen - prolapsed vent, but something else, too?

Hopalong

In the Brooder
8 Years
May 6, 2011
19
0
22
One of my white rocks, Teresa, prolapsed a few weeks ago. We treated her as we've read about on the board, (No layer ration, minimal sunlight, private quarters) and she seemed well on her way to recovery. Yesterday, I noticed she seemed lethargic and not "right" so I caught her up and checked her out. I noticed her crop seemed enlarged and firm, and the hen was very thin (very pronounced breast bone). We gave her a warm bath, and while I was drying her in a towel in my lap, I gave her some olive oil/and water and massaged her crop, which she seemed to enjoy.

I am just not sure what to do now. She seems to have lost her appetite, though she is drinking well and preening herself, and is somewhat interested in the random bugs in the stall. She is sometimes dozing, but keen and alert when she isn't dozing. Not terribly interested in either chick starter or layer ration, but she will peck at wet oatmeal.

I am at a loss and would like to help Teresa if I can. While not exactly a pet nor am I overly fond of her, I do want to give the best care possible for her to have a good life. I am open to any ideas.

Thanks

1) What type of bird , age and weight.
White rock hen, about 2 yrs old

2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Prolapsed vent X 3 weeks, improving but not healed. Very thin, constantly dripping a clear liquid from the vent. Enlarged, firm crop (seems to have resolved)

3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
3 weeks, acute 2 days

4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No

5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
Not besides the vent swelling (nickel sized)

6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.


7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Free range in the yard, layer ration. Yesterday I did notice that her crop seemed enlarged and firmer than it should (I am a new chicken mom). I gave her olive oil/warm water and very wet oatmeal and massaged the crop several times throughout the day.

8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal to runny. Constantly dripping clear thin liquid from the vent

9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Warm epsom salt baths, prep H. Crop massage and massage of the abdominal area (checking for signs of eggs or their remains)

10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
No vet, will treat by myself.

11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.


12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
She is free range through the day, and roosts in the coop at night. Wood pellets with loose shavings on top, treated with DE
 
Sounds like you are doing what you should be doing for her. Is her crop really hard? I had a hen that I just had to perform crop surgery on because I couldn't get her crop to empty no matter what I tried. She would have starved to death if I didn't do the surgery. Hopefully, it won't come to that in your case. Try giving her apple cider vinegar in her water and no food for 24 hours, then give her just plain yogurt, for the second day, on the third try some boiled/scrambled egg. See if that helps her crop go down. Hopefully, it will.
 

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