sick hens

[Wyorp Rock]

The act like they are trying to swallow but I can hold one of the upside and lots of fluid just pours out. I know that sounds nasty is. One is a polish hen and one is banti hen they are both getting on in age. I free range pretty often. The get chops, laying pellets and hen scratch. Plus occasionally scraps. No gurgling.

Hi @spayne1955 Welcome To BYC

I'm sorry to hear about your hens.
If you have photos you would like to share that would be good.

From your description it sounds like your hens have sour crop.
Can you explain what you are feeding one more time - you mention "chops" what is that?

Here's some information on crop conditions and treatment that you may find helpful
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[Eggcessive]

Sand is not enough for grit. I have rocky soil, but I still put out a dish of granite grit for free taking, just to help prevent crop problems. Even at that, chickens can get sour and impacted crop from reproductive and other disorders that may cause the crop not to work. I have never had a chicken recover from sour crop where they had rotten material coming from the beak. Many use tomato juice, plain yogurt in small amounts, stool softener, and monistat 7 supoositories to hell treat crop problems. Nystatin, here available online in a product called Medistatin for pigeons, is a good antifungal drug to help with sour crop:
https://www.jedds.com/shop/medistatin/