Saving my chicken :).

[Bokbokshortylove]

Hello, we recently got a few chickens, new chicken owners, few months ago. About 3 weeks ago we were preparing to leave for a trip to Maine from Ky, night before our flights my favorite most sweetest hen , “noodles” started acting lethargic suddenly, lying down, wouldn’t stand when we tried to get her too, wings seemed protracted like she was losing control, brought her in thinking overheated gave her fresh water and didn’t have time to get much further she passed away in my arms, 2 days later while we’re gone same exact thing happens to another. I have a lot of very educated chicken friends who said if it’s bird flu your third will be gone soon, 3 weeks later she’s still kicking and is now my baby follows me around comes to the back porch , probably lonely, but point of me telling you guys that piece is she’s still here so I doubt it was ever bird flu. But in the meantime I’ve done some reading on chicken care and reasons for illness and still cannot figure out what happened to the first two. 3 days ago “ramen” our surviving. Chicken started acting sick and I panicked, I did not want to lose another, I found her crop was impacted, it was HUGE so I cleared it manually for 2 days and she’s been fine since she’s perked up but I still worry I haven’t found the cause. Do I need to worm her? Her coop is great set up well, fresh water, we’ve checked our feed and it’s all good. We’ve dusted for mites etc. I gave her electrolyte water & acv when she was sick a few days ago. The only thing I don’t love is her comb on top of her head is a bit drooped down which when the other two died that happened but it was completely drooped down and pale when they died , but again she’s perked up and is back to following me around and being her normal ramen self. Any ideas please let me know. I’m here to learn and get better!

** she does free range through the day

 

[nuthatched]

Age? Diet? Grit access? Where'd you get them?

 

[Debbie292d]

You didn't mention respiratory issues or digestive (diarrhea), which can be signs of bird flu. What does her poop look like? Have you ever seen blood or worms in their poop?

The acv may have been good, but I'd go with the powders for their water like Hydro-Hen, etc., or Greek yogurt. That can help with crop issues and the digestive tract/diarrhea.

If she free-ranges, is she getting her feed in the morning? I know that's the only time ours get any, as once they're outside, they don't come back until too dark to eat.

A droopy comb can be dehydration.

I don't know about worming as I've never wormed mine but most use Safeguard. The dosage is posted if you search for it or just ask and one of us will get it for you if you choose to use that.

If you do, be sure to give probiotics and vitamins afterward for a week or two. Vitamin water now might help too. Poultry Cell or Nutra-Drench are the most popular chicken vitamins.

If you see her having a crop issue again, here are the best two articles for crop issues:

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

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ntion-and-treatments-of-crop-disorders.67194/

I hope she continues to get better. You may want to try find another hen or two for her but maybe not that same place. She'd be happier with friends. I'd look in my state's poultry groups on Facebook or search Craigslist but be careful of scams.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

What kind of dog is that in the picture with her? Fuzzy from camera action.

 

[Bokbokshortylove]

What kind of dog is that in the picture with her? Fuzzy from camera action.

He's a rescue puppy about 4 months old, but we think cockapoo (cocker spaniel poodle) he's precious

 

[BigBlueHen53]

He's a rescue puppy about 4 months old, but we think cockapoo (cocker spaniel poodle) he's precious