Poorly Hen - Impacted Crop?

For the past few days Genevieve hasn't really been herself. Today she's looking really unwell, quite hunched, currently just laying down at the side of the run. Normally she'll be up and about, particularly when someone goes outside, she's usually pacing, running her beak on the door, waiting for her freedom. But, not today.

I've picked her up (much more easily than usual) and I'm fairly certain her crop is impacted. She's also had very runny poos over the past day or so. I'm just wondering what I can do for her. My mum is the bird expert, and she won't be available to do anything or help get to the vet until much later this afternoon.

Thanks in advance.

It definitely does sound like an impacted crop.

A way to treat it is to place a small amount of olive oil into the chicken's beak (only about 2 mm) and massage its crop so that some of the compaction breaks up. If you do this once in the morning and once in the afteroon, it should help.

Mixing soft food (suitable for chickens) with a small amount of natural yoghurt can help to break down the bacteria, as well. It might take a couple of days to take effect. If it takes more than three days, a trip to the vets might be in order.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out!

wow Eleanor the chicken doctor Hope she's ok

I thought I was the chameleon doctor?

you are Doctor Doolittle obviously

Bit late, but I (just) managed to get some oil down her. She's still very lethargic, but we can't expect her to feel instantly better, can we?

Tomorrow we'll treat her again, we're also making her a mash in the morning. No doubt, I'll be spending most of the day watching her like a hawk xD

Thanks so much Eleanor. Genevieve hates you right now, but she'll get over it.

Keep us updated!

Dave wrote:you are Doctor Doolittle obviously

I can live with that. Explains why I can communicate with you!

Eris wrote:Bit late, but I (just) managed to get some oil down her. She's still very lethargic, but we can't expect her to feel instantly better, can we?

Tomorrow we'll treat her again, we're also making her a mash in the morning. No doubt, I'll be spending most of the day watching her like a hawk xD

Thanks so much Eleanor. Genevieve hates you right now, but she'll get over it.

You're welcome! I hope she gets better soon! And I'm sure she'd peck me if she could.

hope your hen gets better soon

I'm afraid Genevieve died on Tuesday afternoon.
Crop went sour, and mum 'vomitted' her, but I believe we caught it too late and the shock of it killed her. So, bye bye birdy. She'll be savaging angels in chicken heaven.

Sorry about Genevieve! Never easy to lose a pet.

Fly high henny!

Oh no. I'm sorry. It's always terrible to lose a pet!