Sickly Chicken

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I’d cut all the scratch if I was you.

 

[fldiver97]

Agree with A_Fowl_Guy.... cut out scratch for all your chickens so she can’t get into it. As a general recommendation scratch should be no more than 10% of their diet, it’s like candy and sweets in our diet. Check her crop as recommended, be careful if she eats long blades of grass. One of my gals had a soft crop impact, was eating and pooping but her crop did not empty overnight. Long story short, after some trial of home treatment she ended up at the vet and had surgery. She had a ton of grass in her crop that was removed. She recovered nicely but scared me and my check book to death So check her crop in the morning before she eats, check at bedtime. If she has sour crop you may be able to smell it. I would feed her some scrambled egg, make a mash out of her chicken feed, make sure she drinks. Keep an eye on her poop, her vent and belly

 

[Tyson_chickens]

I’d cut all the scratch if I was you.

Okay tomorrow I will not feed them any

Agree with A_Fowl_Guy.... cut out scratch for all your chickens so she can’t get into it. As a general recommendation scratch should be no more than 10% of their diet, it’s like candy and sweets in our diet. Check her crop as recommended, be careful if she eats long blades of grass. One of my gals had a soft crop impact, was eating and pooping but her crop did not empty overnight. Long story short, after some trial of home treatment she ended up at the vet and had surgery. She had a ton of grass in her crop that was removed. She recovered nicely but scared me and my check book to death So check her crop in the morning before she eats, check at bedtime. If she has sour crop you may be able to smell it. I would feed her some scrambled egg, make a mash out of her chicken feed, make sure she drinks. Keep an eye on her poop, her vent and belly

Yes I will cut out the scratch starting tomorrow (already threw out in the grass this morning and it should be gone by now) I did read that it should be very little to their overall diet (which is why I only give 3 cups to 7 birds plus the wild birds) should I give them even less? I also read about giving them in the evenings after they already ate but the wild birds arent usually there so that's why I've been doing it in the mornings. [Of course I'm saying for later after everyone is healthy again... until then no scratch for anyone]
Yes I'm going to look for a vet that specializes in chicken because even if I think it may be a crop problem I'm just not sure what I'm doing is right. The crop is such a bizarre thing lol.

 

[Tyson_chickens]

Update: I'm taking Henny in to see someone who is much more knowledgeable about chickens. I'm so worried for her because all she does is lay there and when I go to pick her up she seems so weak. Her red comb has became so pale. I read that it is usually cause by mites but she regularly took dust bathes and I thought that was supposed to stop them. Plus wouldn't the other chickens get it too then? Also I noticed when checking her crop that it kept pulsing. As if I could feel her heart, I felt like it wasnt normal cause when I felt the other chickens I couldnt feel their pulse. I feel so lost cause I have no idea and the best "vet" we can do is a knowledgeable chicken person at a tractor supply store.

Right now I brought Henny inside and laid her on a heating pad (chilly outside) Her head keeps dropping and her eyes keep closing

 

[Eggcessive]

x2, stop all of the scratch gains completely. They need to be on a layer feed or all flock/flock raiser feed with oyster shell and grit available in a separate container. I would start with a Flock Raiser type feed that is 20% protein. Once they are eating it well, you could then throw out a small handful of scratch just to get rid of it. They don’t require scratch—it is just like up eating junk food—too little protein, and few vitamins or minerals.

As far as Henny goes, she sounds like something is fairly seriously wrong, either a reproductive disorder or something else. She appears very weak, so I would try hard to get her to take some electroytes, water, and a little egg mixed with feed. If you can see a vet, hurry, because she looks weak.

 

[Tyson_chickens]

Update: Henny passed away this morning it pains my heart but at least she isn't in pain anymore. I'm going find someone that can do a necropsy and see if they can find what was wrong with her.

 

[fldiver97]

So sorry!

 

[HungryPenguin]

Update: Henny passed away this morning it pains my heart but at least she isn't in pain anymore. I'm going find someone that can do a necropsy and see if they can find what was wrong with her.

I'm sorry about Henny! What have you found out in the necropsy?