Worried about one hen.

[retnug]

Hi all, been reading this site and getting good info so.... thanks.

Now to my issue. We have 4 hens that are about five months old. Two Reds one Buff and an Easter Egger. The Buff started laying first then we found out one of the Reds was hiding eggs on us. Shortly after the second Red started laying. It didn't take long and we were able to get the three of them to lay in the nesting boxes. After a couple weeks the Easter laid her first. Then took a day or two break and laid a second. The other three have now been pretty consistent in laying about every day. Meanwhile the Easter has stopped for about a week. What seems strange is that she comes out of the coop with the others and we let them range the yard. While the others are foraging around she spends a lot of time just standing there sometimes with her head tucked away.

Being new to this we are not sure if there us a problem. Any advise?

Thanks
G

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @retnug Welcome to BYC

Do you have some photos of the EE or a video of her actions (upload your video to youtube, vimeo, etc., then provide us a link).

Photos of her poop may be helpful too.
What type of food/treats do you feed?

Standing with the head tucked away during the day, sounds like she is not feeling well.
Give her a good looking over for any mites/lice, check her crop to see if it's emptying overnight and feel her abdomen for any swelling, bloat or feeling of fluid.

Watch her to see if she is drinking water and eating. If she's not, then separate her or cage her in the coop/run so you can get a good look at her poop and monitor her more closely.

 

[retnug]

I checked her crop yesterday after reading this and some other sources. It was packed pretty full. Felt like a full bean bag. This morning I checked her and the crop is definitely not as full but it was not empty. Should it be completely empty?

I didn't seem to feel any swelling or bloating anywhere else... but I am new to this.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I checked her crop yesterday after reading this and some other sources. It was packed pretty full. Felt like a full bean bag. This morning I checked her and the crop is definitely not as full but it was not empty. Should it be completely empty?

I didn't seem to feel any swelling or bloating anywhere else... but I am new to this.

Yes, the crop should be empty or flat every morning before eating/drinking.

Crop issues can make them feel unwell, so you will want to get that taken care of, here's some good resources with information:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/impacted-slow-and-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments

 

[retnug]

Wyorp,

Thanks for the additional reading. Just checked her again this morning and her crop is not empty. There was some poop under her spot on the roost but its pretty obvious not enough is going through.

I am assuming that she is impacted as opposed to sour by the fact that the crop does not feel squishy (liquidy) but more like a small beanbag.

I am going this morning to pick up a dog crate from my brother to observe more closely and control what she eats. I will also try some of the treatment described in the links you attached.

Hope I am headed down the right path.

Thanks

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It does sound like an impacted crop. Follow the directions closely, hopefully you can get it broken up and she will feel better soon.

Please keep us posted.

 

[retnug]

I have be giving her the coconut oil and massaging the crop. Should I expect it to drain when I do this or will it only drain overnight?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Is she pooping?

 

[retnug]

Very little.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If she is not pooping much then she most likely has a blockage somewhere.
Has she started laying eggs yet?