Help please - possible sick hen

[Sue]

When I went to check my hens this morning there was one still in the nestbox not wanting to come out. I knew she wasn't laying as she hasn't started yet. When I went to pick her up she shook her head and creamy coloured liquid came out with bits of food in it. As I picked her up there was more and I tipped her forward and a lot more came out. I felt her crop and it felt soft. She looked as though she was struggling a bit to breathe for a moment or so, but is now breathing ok. I have massaged her crop and tipped her forward again to see if there was any more, but there doesn't seem to be. What is this? What should I do now? Do I need to take her to a vet today?

 

[podstable]

Hi Sue----if she had a blocked crop and you have cleared it she will perk up very quickly.If she remains ill and you can't see why then maybe its the vet.Things to look for-signs of respiratory infection,lice,red mite in house probably most common.Let us know how she is please.What breed is she? Ros

 

[Sue]

Thanks for your reply Ros. She's a Buff Sussex approx 25 wks old. She seems ok now, eating and drinking. She's recently been treated for lice/mites and has been well until this morning. There was undigested corn in the liquid, could this be something to do what caused it? Is this likely to happen again tonight do you think or as it has been cleared should she be ok now do you think?

 

[podstable]

Well done! If shes ok now its probably gone , just watch her over the next day or two. I have one bantam that does it now and then --usually she brings up a knot of grass--and she is a PIG! Hopefully it wont happen again but if she does do it again you know how to deal with it! Ros 08

 

[Sue]

Thank you Ros, I'll keep an eye on her.