URGENT - Crop problems with a picky eater

[needler]

This is the first experience I've had with a "sick" chicken and I need some advice. I have a GLW that for the last 2 days is staying away from the other birds, she never sits but only stands, has a poopy backside and holds her tail down. We segregated her this afternoon. She immediatly ate and drank when she got put in the dog crate. She won't go on the roost and stands all night on the floor. I don't know if she has been laying eggs because I have 5 hens and they all use the same box with no way to determine which bird is laying which egg. The hubby thinks it may be coccidiosis <spelling?> but from what I've read it usually doesn't impact 10 month olds and it is the winter. They have 10 acres to free range on but hang out in the front yard grass not the pasture. The other ones seem to be doing fine.

Any help or advice on what to do would be appreciated!

 

[artsyrobin]

first, isolate her, a dog carrier, or something like that, get her away from the others so you can observe her- how is her crop? her poo? is she eating? those are the kind of things that will help diagnose whats going on....

 

[needler]

Well let me update. Since I posted this I've been doing more research and found out her crop is hard as a rock. I isolated her yesterday and gave her some rolled oats, oatmeal, yogurt and an egg yolk. She ate a little yesterday and hasn't eaten any today. She poops but not much. Her poop is mainly green with some white. It doesn't stink really. She will eat crumbles if we give it to her. Her crop is still pretty hard and it may be wishful thinking that it is getting smaller.

Thanks

 

[artsyrobin]

check this thread-
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...w-impacted-crop-how-to-get-olive-oil-down-her

sounds like a crop issue- might edit your title and add in caps urgent- what are her poops like? color, cosistancy etc

 

[needler]

I have followed that thread and tried the recipe. She ate one batch yesterday morning but nothing since. We sprinkled a little crumbles on it to intice her and she picked the crumbles off and left the soft stuff. We have been giving her olive oil twice a day but don't know the recommended amount or how often we should.

As I said earlier her poop is mostly green but when we were giving her the olive oil this afternoon she let go and it was white liquid. Easy enough to wipe off my shoe!

What about mixing some crumbles with the olive oil and applesauce? I really can't afford to take her to town to the vet and would hate to loose her she is the only one that is actually friendly!

 

[waghmg]

Hi,
I'm the one who started the thread you've been following. Still working w/my hen. She is extremely picky. I couldn't get her to eat any of that recipe I made. I just gave it up. I'm just trying to get her to eat anything. You have a similar situation to mine. My hen is the friendliest/favorite of the 3 that I have. And I don't even have the option to go to a vet if I could afford it. There are no avian vets around here AT ALL.

Woke up this morning and her crop is hard again. It was soft and squishy yesterday afternoon. But seems like she quit eating almost anything. Guess I'm going to try get her to drink olive oil again today and try more massage and see how she does. I'm just afraid she's starving because she pretty thin.

Wish you the best. I definitely understand what you're dealing with. Still an ongoing issue for me. Please post and I will do the same if I find something that works.

 

[artsyrobin]

ok, needler, if she will eat the crumbles with the applesauce, that might be the way to go, the other thing i have done in the past is make a broth with the crumbles if they will only drink, then that can get nutrients that way... wag, can you massage her crop to help break things up? Something i haven't tried but have heard of is 'crop bound' pills, will have to find a link, but supposedly it helps break things up- also did you try the skinless tomato? That is something i would try, nnbreeder has years of experience with chickens

 

[waghmg]

Artsyrobin,

Couldn't get her to take tomato...so frustrating

I will say I thought her crop was firm this a.m. but when I got her out, had her drink some water and then much to my surprise BY ACCIDENT discovered she LOVES the crumbles pounded into a powder. She probable ate for 5 minutes or more...Had given her a little olive oil before that and massaged her crop after she ate and was a lot softer....Still standing around a lot in her crate and when I get her out but at least she got excited about the crumble powder....go figure.

Have thought about the crop bound pills and found a place to order....Not sure if I could get them in time or not...

Its probably because I so inexperienced but not sure this chick fits into any of the scenarios....Guess I'll just keep trying....

Even if she doesn't make it through this, I don't want her to suffer. Right now doesn't appear so....trying to keep her comfortable and love to see her get excited over something. May be I'm operating a 'chicken hospice'. That's ok.

I think my husband thinks I'm crazy because she's 'just a chicken.' But not to me...She's a living creature w/lots of personality. At least he's trying to humor me.....

 

[artsyrobin]

ya know- i got into chickens 3 years ago, and have dealt with this kind of thing- one girl went through that, pulled through and is one of my sweetest girls! they become friends- and lots of folks don't understand - just like there are cat people and dog people- they trust us, you are doing good, i give them every chance- they are fighters and since she is showing interest in the crumbles, thats half the battle- where are you? the thing with those pills is they need to stay hydrated, i have never used them, but have some-

 

[waghmg]

Thanks for the encouragement...it helps. Never knew I was a "chicken person" Was my husband who wanted them, not me.....Reverse roles...I've fallen in love, espectially w/this girl. She follows us around like a puppy...loves attention....I'm so sad for her...and for us if we lose her...And a bonus was she laid GREAT EGGS, though stopped a couple of months ago. But really I could care less if she ever lays again if she would just pull through.....She is still drinking water but only out of a large container like a dog bowl...funny....now her poops are mostly water and green.

If you don't mind me asking, how long did it take to pull your girl through it?

I live in NC by the way....but thanks.