MinervaTheHen
Chirping
- Sep 30, 2022
- 55
- 205
- 86
Hello, I am new to this so please feel free to correct me if I don’t post this right.
About three weeks ago I got back from vacation and noticed one of my hens was acting strangely. She is normally very healthy and active, but she was spending most of the day hunched over near the coop door. I took a quick look at her and didn’t notice much, other than that she had lost a lot of weight. It’s important to note that my flock is free range during the day, and they forage quite a bit. I was worried it might have been a impacted crop. I took a second look at her, and sure enough her crop was pretty big and hard. I isolated her and removed all food, and after a few days her crop seemed normal and she was pooping regularly.
It’s now been three weeks and she hadn’t bounced back at all. Her comb is almost…deflated? It’s also a little purple colored. She seems to still be losing weight. The weight loss is pretty significant, she’s practically skin and bones. She is eating and drinking, although much less than normal. She isn’t laying, but that’s not unusual for this time of year. She still responds to me and the other hens. She doesn’t seem to have enough energy to do much. I thought the crop was the issue, but I’m fairly new to keeping chickens on my own and I’m concerned at how long it’s taking her to get better. None of my other hens are showing any type of symptoms. Could the crop have been just a symptom? Is something else going on? If I can figure out how to add pictures I will tomorrow. I would really appreciate any help or advice you guys have! Thanks!
About three weeks ago I got back from vacation and noticed one of my hens was acting strangely. She is normally very healthy and active, but she was spending most of the day hunched over near the coop door. I took a quick look at her and didn’t notice much, other than that she had lost a lot of weight. It’s important to note that my flock is free range during the day, and they forage quite a bit. I was worried it might have been a impacted crop. I took a second look at her, and sure enough her crop was pretty big and hard. I isolated her and removed all food, and after a few days her crop seemed normal and she was pooping regularly.
It’s now been three weeks and she hadn’t bounced back at all. Her comb is almost…deflated? It’s also a little purple colored. She seems to still be losing weight. The weight loss is pretty significant, she’s practically skin and bones. She is eating and drinking, although much less than normal. She isn’t laying, but that’s not unusual for this time of year. She still responds to me and the other hens. She doesn’t seem to have enough energy to do much. I thought the crop was the issue, but I’m fairly new to keeping chickens on my own and I’m concerned at how long it’s taking her to get better. None of my other hens are showing any type of symptoms. Could the crop have been just a symptom? Is something else going on? If I can figure out how to add pictures I will tomorrow. I would really appreciate any help or advice you guys have! Thanks!
