Ammonia smell in coop-first time owner

[pinkkat]

Poorly Hazel has been to our marvellous vet to clear out her sour crop, and seemed to be rallying yesterday. She came out of the nesting box, and was taking an interest in the coop goings on.

 

Today she is sunken eyed and hunched, and there are BRIGHT GREEN woodshavings in the house. I mean vivid, not yellowy or browny poo. It looks like spilt green food dye. There is green on a couple of the other girls' feathers, but a lot around Hazel's vent.

 

Can anybody help? I will be taking her back to the vet tomorrow, but you guys know more about chickens than he does

[Egluntyne]

I'd keep her on fluids for a few hours and see what happens. It could just be the treatment which has cleared her out and what you are seeing is mostly bile.

 

When you introduce food again, I would just give her pellets for a day or two.

 

If she doesn't improve, I'd take her to the vet.

[pinkkat]

Thanks, will try that. Would it be just as good to give her mash instead of pellets? Non of them seem to eat pellets when I've put them out, I've heard that's common in ex-batts.

[Egluntyne]

Yes, Mash would be fine. They eat mash in the battery house and are used to it.

[pinkkat]

Thanks Egluntyne, I kept her separated for a day in a box in the garage. She drank loads of water and pooped in her mash.

 

She's now back in with the rest, eating and scratching around, and competing for her share of their evening treats like a normal chicken

 

Now we just have to get Margot sorted - she's had a course of injections for pneumonia, but is still sneezing and now has a red, flushed looking face. She seems quite happy though, eating and drinking and whatnot, so I guess we shouldn't be too worried.

[Egluntyne]

Thanks Egluntyne, I kept her separated for a day in a box in the garage. She drank loads of water and pooped in her mash..

 

She must be feeling better.