I am currently nursing a hen who doesn’t belong to us (kept distinctly separate from our flock to avoid contamination). My parents agreed to look after some chickens for a family in the village whilst they are away. When they first arrived (someone else had been caring for them the first few days) the chickens had no water at all, bone dry, and were desperate. This particular hen was lying flat in a nesting box and they brought her home to keep her safely in our hospital coop.
They gave her food and water but she stopped eating for a few days. When I arrived I pepped her up with some critical care formula and have been nursing her since then. However it has become apparent to me that she seems to have sour crop - in the mornings her crop still has stuff in it and is squishy and sore. There is no smell and she isn’t vomiting at all, but when she drinks you can hear some gurgling.
Currently I am giving her water with a little oregano oil (designed for chickens) and scrambled egg with olive oil. I am using miconazole gel to try and heal the crop (daktarin oral). Does this sound OK? Her droppings were pasty yellow liquid, very watery, on arrival. They are much improved - still loose and watery but a mix of green/brown and white so much closer to normal.
My main concern is that she appears to have a slight hint of a nosebleed. I believe mycoplasma is in her flock (avoiding cross contamination with ours), not sure if that is relevant.
She is short of breath, weak and skinny. Been here 6 days and not laying. No sign of external parasites. She can still walk a short distance but has very little power. I do have some bird probiotics and vits I was giving her - is that still ok with sour crop?
Owners are home today and know we are caring for her at home… not sure they will know what to do with her and I’m anxious about sending her home, but of course she’s not my chook!
Any recommendations on treatment and thoughts on nosebleed appreciated.
Added current poop pic and chook.
They gave her food and water but she stopped eating for a few days. When I arrived I pepped her up with some critical care formula and have been nursing her since then. However it has become apparent to me that she seems to have sour crop - in the mornings her crop still has stuff in it and is squishy and sore. There is no smell and she isn’t vomiting at all, but when she drinks you can hear some gurgling.
Currently I am giving her water with a little oregano oil (designed for chickens) and scrambled egg with olive oil. I am using miconazole gel to try and heal the crop (daktarin oral). Does this sound OK? Her droppings were pasty yellow liquid, very watery, on arrival. They are much improved - still loose and watery but a mix of green/brown and white so much closer to normal.
My main concern is that she appears to have a slight hint of a nosebleed. I believe mycoplasma is in her flock (avoiding cross contamination with ours), not sure if that is relevant.
She is short of breath, weak and skinny. Been here 6 days and not laying. No sign of external parasites. She can still walk a short distance but has very little power. I do have some bird probiotics and vits I was giving her - is that still ok with sour crop?
Owners are home today and know we are caring for her at home… not sure they will know what to do with her and I’m anxious about sending her home, but of course she’s not my chook!
Any recommendations on treatment and thoughts on nosebleed appreciated.
Added current poop pic and chook.
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