Sick LH...what to do?

[MAT10]

Cotton isn't acting like herself. I'm not seeing anything physically wrong but she went off by herself & just sat. Not busy as usual. Gave her a dose of Nutri-Drench & massaged her crop area then she wanted back into the coop. Watched her leave & go back to the same spot away from the flock (10 birds). Checked on her about 30 minutes later & saw this... (pic)
My BO was snuggled next to her.

Last night I did find her in a nesting box (which she NEVER does) but I moved her out & she did roost. Last egg was laid about 2 days ago.

Do I isolate her?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

When was her last egg?

Is she pooping, what's that like?
Crop emptying?

I'd start with giving extra Calcium for a few days. You can find Calcium Citrate with D3 in the vitamin aisle of stores like Walmart, CVS, etc. Give 1 tablet daily, just pull down on her wattles, pop the tablet into the beak and let her swallow.

Check her for lice/mites. If the crop is not emptying, address that symptom going by this article.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[MAT10]

We just got back from a trip & I 'think' her last egg was the 25th? Maybe... Neighbor has been caring for them. I'll watch for one today.
No lice/mites. Yes to pooping & checked her this morning. Doing better & showing eating interest. Her crop felt different yesterday & I suspected impacted but not sure as I am so new to chicken care. It wasn't super full, but just different. Feels better this morning too. Must have worked itself out???

However, I do have questions about the calcium tabs. The hens all have access to crushed oyster but is that not always enough? I take the calcium for my osteoporosis & they are BIG pills. The question is... Are they not too big for a hen to just swallow? Makes me nervous

Will keep an eye on her to see if she keeps improving. Haven't check poop yet but she IS pooping. Coop clean out day today.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We just got back from a trip & I 'think' her last egg was the 25th? Maybe... Neighbor has been caring for them. I'll watch for one today.
No lice/mites. Yes to pooping & checked her this morning. Doing better & showing eating interest. Her crop felt different yesterday & I suspected impacted but not sure as I am so new to chicken care. It wasn't super full, but just different. Feels better this morning too. Must have worked itself out???

However, I do have questions about the calcium tabs. The hens all have access to crushed oyster but is that not always enough? I take the calcium for my osteoporosis & they are BIG pills. The question is... Are they not too big for a hen to just swallow? Makes me nervous

Will keep an eye on her to see if she keeps improving. Haven't check poop yet but she IS pooping. Coop clean out day today.

When a hen is in crisis and you think she may be having trouble with an egg, it's best to give a quick uptake form of Calcium like the Calcium Citrate as suggested. This is not long term, it's given for a few days to see if it helps, no more than one week.
Oyster shell should be provided free choice, it's a good source of Calcium, but must be processed through the gizzard and absorbed.

Yes, a hen can swallow a pill/tablet that large, but if you wish, break the tablet in half, give her a piece, let her swallow and repeat.

Re-check the crop first thing in the morning, it should be empty, if it's not, then following the article provided will help you determine treatment if necessary.



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