molting hen watery poop (not emergency)

[TwoCrows]

She is not bullied. The only thing I can think of is that she likes to eat feathers just for no reason, and there is an abundance of them due to the molt.

What I'm just concerned about is potential permanent slow crop or permanent blockages or something. I know its not a tumor probably, because this crop thing appeared suddenly.

Eating too many feathers can clog up the system. I hate when my birds eat feathers, and I'm constantly picking up after them during a molt. Anyway, for impactions you can use Baby Oil (mineral oil) about 1 ml 2X daily for a day or two, it will help break down stiff things that might be clogging up the gizzard. Stool softers like plain Dolculax (Docusate Sodium only ingredients) works too if the mineral oil doesn't help. Prick a pill open and squeeze (with pliers) onto something she will eat or into some apple sauce or baby food in a syringe and squeeze into the mouth, 2 times a day. These things won't hurt her if this isn't the issue. Definitely feed her soft wet things only like scrambled eggs, watermelon, wet greens. Impactions generally move with a lot of added water.

 

[TwoCrows]

Oh and the mineral oil is given orally.

Since you are catching this quickly, this shouldn't impact the crop permanently once it gets moving again.

 

[guest226]

Eating too many feathers can clog up the system. I hate when my birds eat feathers, and I'm constantly picking up after them during a molt. Anyway, for impactions you can use Baby Oil (mineral oil) about 1 ml 2X daily for a day or two, it will help break down stiff things that might be clogging up the gizzard. Stool softers like plain Dolculax (Docusate Sodium only ingredients) works too if the mineral oil doesn't help. Prick a pill open and squeeze (with pliers) onto something she will eat or into some apple sauce or baby food in a syringe and squeeze into the mouth, 2 times a day. These things won't hurt her if this isn't the issue. Definitely feed her soft wet things only like scrambled eggs, watermelon, let greens. Impactions generally move with a lot of added water.

I would love to have her on a soft diet, but I am unfortunately at school all day and I cant monitor her. Last time i isolated her she flew onto my laundry machine with a desire to roost! So shes with her sisters right now and shes probably eating small amounts of dry food..

She drinks water, though. With digestive enzymes, probiotics, and electrolytes. It is very hot these days, and dry too.

 

[TwoCrows]

I would love to have her on a soft diet, but I am unfortunately at school all day and I cant monitor her. Last time i isolated her she flew onto my laundry machine with a desire to roost! So shes with her sisters right now and shes probably eating small amounts of dry food..

She drinks water, though. With digestive enzymes, probiotics, and electrolytes. It is very hot these days, and dry too.

Is she caged during the day? You might dampen the feed in the morning for added moisture. You shouldn't save it at the end of the days till the next day though. You might try withholding food for the day, water only and feed her later that day, this may work things along.

You might also give the mineral oil or stool softener a try and see if this doesn't help.

 

[TwoCrows]

Also, electrolytes are basically salts and can be dehydrating, hard on the kidneys long term. Id stop with those, the probiotics are fine.

 

[guest226]

Is she caged during the day? You might dampen the feed in the morning for added moisture. You shouldn't save it at the end of the days till the next day though. You might try withholding food for the day, water only and feed her later that day, this may work things along.

You might also give the mineral oil or stool softener a try and see if this doesn't help.

She is not caged but she is not free-range. They have a very large run with plenty of room to walk around and roost and run.

I have been massaging her crop after giving her a bit of coconut oil or olive oil, but I'll look into stool softeners

 

[HollowOfWisps]

What % protein is the feed that you are feeding? Pulling feathers is one thing, but eating them is often a sign of protein deficiency.

 

[guest226]

What % protein is the feed that you are feeding? Pulling feathers is one thing, but eating them is often a sign of protein deficiency.

I use Bar Ale Layer feed, so there is a air amount of protein. Also, I give them grubs as a every-other day treat and sometimes scrambled eggs every few weeks.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I use Bar Ale Layer feed, so there is an air amount of protein. Also, I give them grubs as an every-other day treat and sometimes scrambled eggs every few weeks.

I pulled up their layer feed and all seem to be 16%. The problem is that for many chickens including laying hens 16% isn’t always enough even with the extras you are giving her eating feathers to the point of impacting is her showing you she needs more protein. Feathers are made of keratin which is protein and why deficient chickens eat them.

 

[guest226]

Ok, I'll make sure to get more protein into her. I've always been afraid I give them too much grubs because they are high in energy and can lead to things like heart disease and stuff, but I think I can afford to give my laying hens a bit more.

I pulled up their layer feed and all seem to be 16%. The problem is that for many chickens including laying hens 16% isn’t always enough even with the extras you are giving her eating feathers to the point of impacting is her showing you she needs more protein. Feathers are made of keratin which is protein and why deficient chickens eat the