4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[lindyloodles]

Over the last couple of days I have noticed that Annie, my pepperpot seems to have a swollen chest/breast area. At first I thought it was her crop, but on picking her up it didn't feel any fuller than usual, so last night the chooks were put to bed without the grub so that i could make sure nothing got eaten over night (well, before I got up anyway!). This morning she still looked swollen, but her crop was completely empty. She seems to have lost some feathers on her chest and her breastbone is very prominent. On massaging her neck & chest area I can't feel any fluid, and actually when she stretched her neck in disgust, the 'swelling' wasn't there. Apart from me being a paranoid overprotective chook mum, should I be worried? She is running around, eating, drinking, comb is red and upright. There might be changes in laying patterns as we had our first one-egg day at the weekend, and since then sometimes it is two and sometimes one (but bizarrely yesterday we had three from the pair of them!) but as their eggs are so similar I haven't been able to work out who is laying what. I also assumed that the change in laying pattern was to do with autumn. She is about 9 months old now and I have read on here that this is the age to expect some moulting, so could that be it?

 

Advice gratefully received.

 

Thanks

 

Lindy

[Sheilaz]

That was a good idea doing the overnight crop test, the first thing to rule out. You're not fussing, just taking care, and being watchful is the best way to spot when a hen is ill.

I'd say trust your instincts & keep a look out for any further symptoms.

 

However, as you describe, (if nothing else develops) the moulting does seem to be the most obvious cause in this case. It might make her a bit under par so perhaps she is responding by fluffing up her chest rather than literally being swollen.

 

Some extra tonic & protein can be helpful when they are moulting, it must take it out of them.

Do keep us posted, hope it turns out well for you.

[lindyloodles]

Thnaks Sheila

 

The gingernut also looks swollen this morning, but they are being their usual naughty selves. I think it might be that they have lost some feathers which is making the beast look more prominent. Having said that I haven't seen any feathers around the garden or in the eglu. As suggested will keep an eye on them. So long as they are eating/drinking and looking otherwise well I won't panic too much I gave them porridge last night with some honey, olive oil and millet mixed up and they loved it. Will get hold of some tonic too. Have also started a few days of vermex as a prophylactic.

[Donna_0]

Hi

I've recently had this problem with one of my Bluebelles.

 

I took her to the vets and she had a swab taken..the vet said to starve her for a few days, it went down, but came back when she started eating again. I have had them both on antibiotics for a week, and it is still swollen. Mine too has plucked feathers from her crop, and had not laid in 3 weeks, this started with her pacing to and from the nest and fluffing herself up. Do you think your hen may be broody? This is what I have put mine down to as I've tried everything else!

I hope you find a solution to the crop problem...i'm not sure what to do now

 

-Barabra

-Margot