What issue to address first

[SpaceLamb]

My almost three year old Easter egger all the sudden has a whole bunch of issues and I’m not sure which to address first or how to go about fixing them and could really use some advise.

I say all the sudden but she’s probably been struggling for a while and we’re just realizing now. The first real sign that something was wrong was her molting. This was actually her first molt and she seemed to do fine until towards the end when all her feathers had come in but none of the little sheaths had come off. Finally I decided to grab her to try and take a look and realized she was super skinny, literally skin and bone. I also noticed her crop seemed really full and hard.

We decided to leave her and check her crop in the morning and found that it was still full. Our first thought was impaction so we started coconut oil and crop massages which loosened it up so it wasn’t so hard but it still hasn’t emptied so now we’re worried it’s not actually impaction and is instead doughy crop. I’m also concerned about intestinal worms since that’s the only thing I can think that would cause her to be so skinny. We picked up some safeguard but don’t know if we need to clear her crop first before deworming.

I’d also like to say that we haven’t noticed any significant behavior difference other than lack of preening and dust bathing which I think has led to the wonky feathers. She still scratched and pecks around during free range time and still has an appetite. She’s not lethargic at all.

Sorry I realize this is long I just don’t want to leave any details out. Thanks I’m advance for any advice!

 

[Keziah]

Does she have grit available? They need it to help break up food in their crop. I've noticed that when my chickens get wet they try to preen off the water, so maybe you can get a spray bottle and see if she still CAN preen and it is just a behavior thing or if she is injured.

 

[Eggcessive]

Was the crop full and hard, or full and dough-like? You can chill some coconut oil, and cut it into small slivers for her to peck, about a tsp daily. With a hard or doughy crop in the morning, I would massage it several times a day, and make sure that she is taking plenty of water. No whole grains, just some very watery chicken feed or scrambled egg. I don’t make them vomit, since it can cause choking to death.

 

[SpaceLamb]

Does she have grit available? They need it to help break up food in their crop. I've noticed that when my chickens get wet they try to preen off the water, so maybe you can get a spray bottle and see if she still CAN preen and it is just a behavior thing or if she is injured.

Yes she does have grit in her run and right now we actually have her separated and she has grit in her little dog crate too.

 

[SpaceLamb]

Was the crop full and hard, or full and dough-like? You can chill some coconut oil, and cut it into small slivers for her to peck, about a tsp daily. With a hard or doughy crop in the morning, I would massage it several times a day, and make sure that she is taking plenty of water. No whole grains, just some very watery chicken feed or scrambled egg. I don’t make them vomit, since it can cause choking to death.

So this morning when she first got up before having access to food or water it was full and hard but after some coconut oil and massage it was more dough like but still full, so I’m not sure what exactly is wrong. Right now she’s separated from the flock with only water, mash, and grit available.

 

[Keziah]

How often has she been pooping, and does it look normal?

 

[Eggcessive]

Sometimes they can have a mass of grasses inside that causes an impacted crop, but sometimes they can have pressure inside the abdomen that slows down crop emptying. Reproductive disorders, cancer, ascites, worms, or other problems can cause pressure and slow crops. Gizzard impaction is also possible. I would worm her with the SafeGuard 0.25 ml per pound given orally daily for 5 days. Keep trying to massage and get her crop to work.

 

[SpaceLamb]

How often has she been pooping, and does it look normal?

Since being separated at about 9ish this morning she’s only pooped twice, which doesn’t seem like a lot. It looks fairly normal but stinks horribly.

 

[SpaceLamb]

Sometimes they can have a mass of grasses inside that causes an impacted crop, but sometimes they can have pressure inside the abdomen that slows down crop emptying. Reproductive disorders, cancer, ascites, worms, or other problems can cause pressure and slow crops. Gizzard impaction is also possible. I would worm her with the SafeGuard 0.25 ml per pound given orally daily for 5 days. Keep trying to massage and get her crop to work.

Alright we gave her the first dose of dewormer and will keep up with the crop massages. Would you keep her separated from the rest of the flock? And do we need to be super worried about her weight or just assume it has to do with possible worms and should resolve if the worms do?

Sorry for so many questions we’re a little lost but I really appreciate y’all’s advice.

 

[Keziah]

Alright we gave her the first dose of dewormer and will keep up with the crop massages. Would you keep her separated from the rest of the flock? And do we need to be super worried about her weight or just assume it has to do with possible worms and should resolve if the worms do?

Sorry for so many questions we’re a little lost but I really appreciate y’all’s advice.

Just seeing this, how is she doing? Did you end up separating her?