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

[shtw00724]

Gertie had her op Friday to remove the gunk from her impacted crop. She seemed okay Friday night but I noticed yesterday that her crop became very swollen again quite quickly and hadn't shrunk back to its nomal size.

 

Today, I opened the door to the Eglu and she was last out instead of first. She was quite hesitant and didn't even go straight to the food bowl like she usually does. The thing she does with her neck is getting worse and she sometimes just stands there stretching and retracting her neck. I don't regret her having the op but perhaps as the vet said, there could be other problems causing her to be so thin.

 

It is pitiful watching her, all along she's been so bright til now. I will speak to the vet tomorrow to see what (if anything) can be done.

 

Anyone know what it means when they do that thing with their neck? I am guessing it is something to do with not being able to swallow properly?

 

Also, one of the other chooks has purple bits on her comb. Are the jagged bits known as teeth? (Sorry if that's a dumb question and excuse my lack of chicken terminology) If so, 1 is completely purple, the 2nd one half purple and the third purple at the tip (from the back going towards the face). I read that purple combs can mean heart trouble? If so, can chooks have treatment for that?

 

None of the chooks is particularly well covered and are a bit boney. I am feeding them plenty and they've been free-ranging too.

 

I've only had them 7 weeks and I feel like the bad chicken momma. Am I doing something wrong? I don't want my chooks to die but especially not on account of my ignorance.

 

Thanks for listening.

 

Susie

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'm really sorry to hear about Gertie . I hope she pulls through . I don't have any experience of purple combs but I think you're right that it's a sign of heart trouble . I don't know if there's much you can do but hopefully someone with experience will be along soon.