Mystery Chicken Behavior

[CarynE]

Hello, My little brown hen seems to have either a sour crop, She used to be my best egg layer, but hasnt layed in 4 to 5 days now. She either has appetite loss, or is having trouble eating. Turns her nose up to treats. She has been eating some grit today and i put apple cider vinegar in the water. Occasionally, she drools a little, but not often. She goes from standing around puffed up , to seeming fine. ? Her crop is kind of ballooned up land soft. And this morning she was doing this wierd thing with her neck. Like she was trying to move something around . Any suggestions? She's my leader hen!

 

[CarynE]

Also, i only have 3 hens so i spend a lot of time with them. She should be 2 years old. She is definitely not herself, but trying.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Is there an odor to her beak/ mouth? Sounds like she is trying to adjust her crop. How does her crop feel? Is it hard, squishy, doughy? Is it empty first thing in the morning before she has access to food or water? Here is some reading about crop issues.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ow-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Incidentally, please do NOT hold her upside down and try to make her vomit, she could aspirate and die.

 

[CarynE]

Thank you for the info. She seemed better this morning and has eaten some, she is eating grit for the first time ever, i have offered it , but never before has she taken it. Yesterday, i thought it was sour crop, but thought it was emptied and she seemed fine. Now I'm not sure again and occasionally, she has this liquid come out of her mouth. Does this happen because of the crop issues?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Grit should be always available in a separate vessel; the chickens will help themselves as they need it. If you have hens that are laying, oyster shell should also be always available in another vessel, in an area where it won't get wet.

occasionally, she has this liquid come out of her mouth. Does this happen because of the crop issues?

I would assume so, but @Eggcessive and @azygous are much more knowledgeable on these matters than I am. I'm tagging them for you.