Lucia Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Nancy one of my Pepperpots has been laying for a month or two now and is usually big bossy and blousy. She usually lays a good size egg every other day. She laid Friday and seemed fine Saturday but Sunday she was very quiet, didn't go mad like she usually does when I went out to give an afternoon treat of corn, just pecked a bit at it. I though perhaps she was a bit overheated (although the run is shaded). This morning when I let them out of the cube instead of exploding out like she normally does, she sort of tootled out like an old lady and after a mooch about went and sat at the back of the run. She's just not herself - hubby tried to tempt her with her favourite treat (corn) and she did come and have a peck but she just looks sorry for herself. We have had problems with Mildred plucking out the other hens knickers but as Nancy is in charge I don't think she's being bullied. Her vent (whilst bald!) looks clean and healthy and her eyes are bright, red comb and no breathing problems etc. She doesn't seem to be straining, if anything she looks a 'a bit tucked up' if you understand what I mean. My neighbour who has chickens said she might be trying to pass a softie and to keep an eye on her. She doesn't have a dirty bottom and there is no sign of abnormal droppings but I'm a worrier. I have had them since March and they haven't been wormed yet (plan to worm tonight on vet nurses advice - called the clinic). The other three seem absolutely fine. Any ideas what I should do? If she gets worse or hasn't picked up by tomorrow I will take her to the vet but wondering what I could do, or if there is anything I should be doing, in the meantime? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 I agree...it sounds like she is trying to pass a softie. A calcium supplement will help strengthen the contractions and firm up the shells. Zolcal D is useful as it is soluble and gets into the hens system quickly. I'd also worm them too, especially if they free range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted June 1, 2009 Author Share Posted June 1, 2009 Thanks so much for the reply - can I get that supplement form somewhere like Countrywide? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted June 1, 2009 Author Share Posted June 1, 2009 Hubby just rang me (he's working from home). He's going to take her to the vet as she hasn't had a drink and its so warm. Would rather the vet though we were anxious owners and worry too much than not take her in and her be really poorly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Not sure that Countrywide stock it. I got mine **here** last time. It arrived in a couple of days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted June 1, 2009 Author Share Posted June 1, 2009 Thank Egluntine. Will check Countrywide on the way home and if not order some in. Poor Nancy hope she feels better soon I hate seeing her so glum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 She'll soon perk up I'm sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted June 1, 2009 Author Share Posted June 1, 2009 The vets want to admit her as the only vet qualified to see her is in and out on calls all day so he will see her when he next pops in. I can see this costing and arm and a leg oh well at least I know she will get looked after and hopefully get well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Best of luck with her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Hoping it's something straightforward and your Nancy is soon back at home with you and well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted June 1, 2009 Author Share Posted June 1, 2009 Thanks all. Seems she has an impacted crop - I did feel her crop but couldn't feel anything (but then Im such a novice at chicken as yet - but learning fast!). Vet gave her some electrolytes/fluids as well as directly into her crop to soften things up and get things moving and said its prob because she wasn't drinking enough in the heat and had stuffed her face with grass (they had plenty of clean water and grit etc). They have sent her home and she seems better but still subdued. Anything else I can do to make her more comfy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted June 2, 2009 Author Share Posted June 2, 2009 Nancy still very unhappy this morning - puffed up and tail down. |Been reading up on impacted crops - going to try olive oil and massage later (her crop felt very full this morning). Had to go to work but going to see if I can leave early. If she is no better will take her back to the vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted June 5, 2009 Author Share Posted June 5, 2009 Still a bit worried about Nancy her crop is now clear of the impaction but she is still very quiet compared to normal - she is peckign about a bit and mugged me for a share of a biscuit yesterday but is otherwise subdued and looks a bit fluffed up and hasn't laid for a week. I can's see anything obvious - thinking of taking her back to the vet - could she have sour crop now? How can I tell? Her crop feels gritty and empty in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgieB Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Sorry to hear about Nancy Lucia. I read the following on a poultry advice site. Hope this helps. If the crop is very soft and feels like a water filled balloon, this is called a sour crop. It is caused by a fungal infection and all the extra liquid is the body's reaction to the fungus. In this case the crop contents will smell awful, so another way to confirm this is the problem is to smell the chicken's breath, which can be done at anytime of the day. Sometimes a hen my regurgitate some of the contents of the crop. You can get rid of some of the fluid by making the chicken sick. If you do this you need to be very careful so the chicken doesn't choke as the fluid comes back. You should hold her upside down away from you, head downwards, and gently pushing with your hand from the bottom of the crop upwards towards the chicken's head. Do several small attempts, rather than one big one. Then feed you hen live, bio yogurt. Most chickens, given the chance, will eat this directly. If she will not eat it give a teaspoon or two (5-10 ml) by syringe daily. And feed soft nutritious food. If this treatment does not help after a few days, or if the chicken's health is deteriorating in any other way, a vet can prescribe an anti-fungal drugs. If sour crop is left undetected or untreated long term there can be irreversible damage to the lining of the crop. Putting Apple Cider Vinegar in the drinking water and garlic in their feed are very good for the digestion and can help to prevent problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted June 5, 2009 Author Share Posted June 5, 2009 Thats great - thanks so much, really helpful. I have ACV so will add some to their water and get some live yoghurt on the way home - her crop doesn't feel large or especially fluidy (when compared to the others) I haven't checked her breath so will try to this evening I figure if I treat her as if she has got sour crop it can't hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 It doesn't sound to me like sour crop - their crop is very noticeably squishy and liquid feeling, not at all like a "bean bag" feel of a normal crop. If she doesn't have sour breath - it smells like yogurt that's gone off and is very distinctive - don't make her sick as it would be unnecessary and probably quite distressing for a poorly hen! How about trying a pro-biotic? There is one called Protexin which is water soluble - the best way to get it into your hen. Lots of the people who exhibit hens use it when the hens are being shown as a matter of course - because the journey and stress involved for the chookies. Failing that, many forum users like using Avipro, which does a similar thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted June 5, 2009 Author Share Posted June 5, 2009 Thanks Budgies - I wasn't planning on making her sick as there doesn't seem to be anything in her crop to be sick with. But was planning on doing the natural/live yoghurt thing? Countrywide suggested giving her poultry drink too as a general tonic and pick me up to stimulate her appetite? I have fed the horses protexin but is it the same stuff for chooks? (I'm guessing not as the horse stuff was a powder you added to feed?). It always worries me when birds are sick - I have budgies too - as they can go down hill so rapidly and sometimes by the time they show symptoms are already pretty poorly. Just want Nancy to get back to her usual bossy in your face self. Plus she lays my favourite eggs - don't know why but her's are a really pale pretty cream colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 There's a protexin especially for small animals like rabbits - I think this must be the one that the poultry brigade use. It will do (more effectively) what live yogurt will do, providing beneficial bacteria to colonise her digestive tract. Is she eating or pooping at all? If she's got a block elsewhere in her intestines, you may find the blocked crop is a secondary feature of a more fundamental problem. I don't think the poultry drink will hurt if you can get some into her. Make sure you keep a close eye on her weight - if she's not eating they lose weight and condition very quickly but all those feathers fool us into not realising! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted June 5, 2009 Author Share Posted June 5, 2009 Thanks Budgies - yes she is eating a bit now and I've seen her drink she is still quieter than normal but better than she was - I saw her poop but it seemed quite watery but then she hasn't been eating a lot we've just been trying to get liquids down her. I guess its like checking budgies weight - feel/check the breastbone as well as general body condition? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Glad to hear she's eating and drinking a bit now, that's a good sign. Her poos won't be normal for a while I don't expect, esp if she's on meds. I literally used to weigh my chooks, but that's me!! Yes, feeling their breastbone and checking their general condition each day to make sure she's putting on weight if poss, rather than losing loads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted June 6, 2009 Author Share Posted June 6, 2009 Much better today!! She had a go at the boredom breaker/peck block which I put in in an attempt to encourage her to eat (as it has mollases in and she has a sweet tooth plus while its full of goodies they can't seem to gorge on it). Seems to have done the trick and she is now eating and drinking much better and seems much more her usual self! Am very relieved! Thanks so much for all your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgieB Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Glad to hear that Nancy is feeling better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
