Young hen lethargic, lower body facing down and shuddering, pls help!

[Misskay1313]

I have a young hen I found this morning separated from the flock, standing in a laying position (lower abdomen facing down while head is very straight up). She has not relieved herself, eaten, and has not drank any water as of this morning. She occasionally has her beak parted and is breathing normally. She has also never laid an egg, could she be egg bound? Her face goes pale and red now and then. Finally, I have noticed weird shuddering, or maybe contraptions from her neck down (like a person shrugging and shivering), she stops when I hold her. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? Any reply will be very appreciated, thank you.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is she missing some tail feathers from pecking? It looks like she is adjusting her crop in the video. If that happens a lot, she could have something inside her crop that she is having trouble passing. If she might be egg bound I would offer some calcium citrate with vitamin D 300-600 mg orally. Then keep her in a warm area, such as on a towel in a dog crate or basket. Offer some water as well in case she is having a crop problem. How does her crop feel now, and can you check it again in the morning?

 

[Misskay1313]

omg thank u, i'm not sure

 

[Misskay1313]

Um so I didn't see the reply, her crop feels like a weird hard lump, and no she isn't missing any feathers

 

[Eggcessive]

Are you in the southern hemisphere? I would try getting her to drink fluids. Recheck the crop first thing in the morning before she eats or drinks anything. If her crop was full and firm this morning, go ahead an offer some chilled coconut oil or some olive oil in a little egg or feed. You can massage her crop several times a day. Does she have grit available to help her gizzard grind food and grasses?

 

[Misskay1313]

I am in the northern hemisphere, in the Pacific, so its just now 1 in the afternoon, she does have grit available, and her crop was empty this morning

 

[Misskay1313]

right now there seems to be smth super hard floating in her crop, possibly even moving, should I try to give her some oil to clear that?

 

[Eggcessive]

Could she have swallowed a mouse or other critter? That could be why she is adjusting her crop. If her crop was empty this morning, it sounds like a recent problem. Does she have access to poultry grit or small pebbles outside to help with digestion?

 

[Misskay1313]

Could she have swallowed a mouse or other critter? That could be why she is adjusting her crop. If her crop was empty this morning, it sounds like a recent problem. Does she have access to poultry grit or small pebbles outside to help with digestion?

hm, she could have eaten a frog whole but yes she does have access to grit, she just relieved herself on my leg lol but the thing that's in her crop didn't come out. if I touch or massage the crop, the hard ball instantly goes away and then she starts to clear her crop again.

 

[Eggcessive]

Well I would make sure that she has water, access to grit. Chilled coconut oil can be be cut into small pieces and offered to help clear whatever she has stuck in her crop.