Still alive but not eating

[FamilyofThree]

Our almost 2 year old Rhode Island Red spent Friday night in a layer. We discovered her Saturday morning and separated her from the flock. She was panting and her vent was contracting as if she were trying to lay an egg. We treated her as if she were egg bound, but I am new and don't really know what I am doing. She has spent a lot of time in our warm dark garage with daily calcium tablets (that we had to force feed her) and magnesium baths that she seemed to really enjoy and rally a bit after each one. It is now Friday and she is still alive. She is not panting much anymore though her vent is still contracting. She won't eat now, even treats, though we can sometimes manage to get to her to sip a little water. Her poop has been runny. Some comes out while she is resting and some squirts out when I gently feel inside and lubricate her vent with Vaseline. Her crop seems full, though she has refused regular feed since at least Saturday and eaten very little else. (I was able to get a touch of yogurt and scrambled egg down her at first, plus tiny bits of watermelon, strawberry, and moistened bread over the first few days.) Any suggestions?

 

[townchicks]

She may have an impacted or sour crop, if so the calcium may not be getting into her system. Does she have a sour smell to her mouth? If not, more likely impacted than sour. I tried to find the article on crop issues, but technology and I are not on speaking terms. So I will call better help than I am, anyway. @Eggcessive , @Wyorp Rock

 

[FamilyofThree]

She may have an impacted or sour crop, if so the calcium may not be getting into her system. Does she have a sour smell to her mouth? If not, more likely impacted than sour. I tried to find the article on crop issues, but technology and I are not on speaking terms. So I will call better help than I am, anyway. @Eggcessive , @Wyorp Rock

Thank you. I have tried looking things up too. I don't notice anything beyond typical chicken odor. I found a lot of interesting things and really appreciate how people help each other so much on this forum, but have been unsuccessful at finding anything for my particular situation so far.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you check her crop first thing in the morning and tell us if her crop is empty and flat, or full, firm, doughy, or squishy? Has she laid any eggs recently? Does she have any swelling or enlargement of her lower belly below her vent? Here is a good article about crop problems:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[FamilyofThree]

She hasn't laid an egg at least since Friday, possibly longer. Her crop is feeling a lot flatter now after another day of no eating... no longer full. Her vent is still pulsing/contracting, though she is keeping her beak closed and no longer panting. She does seem to me to be swollen below her vent.

 

[Bawkbok]

If you think she might be egg bound, you can give her a Calcium Citrate with D3 vitamin. One a day for several days -this will help with contractions if she is trying to lay. You can buy them anywhere you buy vitamins. Just open the beak and pop it in or gently pull down on the wattles and when the beak opens pop it in. It is a large pill but they can swallow whole it no problem.
Do you offer oyster shells on the side to help with the calcium requirements they need for laying? This should be offered separate from their feed as they take what they need when they need it. Since her crop feels flat tonight, hopefully she just needs a little help laying an egg.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She was panting and her vent was contracting as if she were trying to lay an egg. We treated her as if she were egg bound, but I am new and don't really know what I am doing. She has spent a lot of time in our warm dark garage with daily calcium tablets (that we had to force feed her) and magnesium baths that she seemed to really enjoy and rally a bit after each one. It is now Friday and she is still alive. She is not panting much anymore though her vent is still contracting. She won't eat now, even treats, though we can sometimes manage to get to her to sip a little water.

when I gently feel inside and lubricate her vent with Vaseline. Her crop seems full, though she has refused regular feed since at least Saturday and eaten very little else. (I was able to get a touch of yogurt and scrambled egg down her at first, plus tiny bits of watermelon, strawberry, and moistened bread over the first few days.)

She hasn't laid an egg at least since Friday, possibly longer. Her crop is feeling a lot flatter now after another day of no eating... no longer full. Her vent is still pulsing/contracting, though she is keeping her beak closed and no longer panting. She does seem to me to be swollen below her vent.

I'd continue to give her the Extra Calcium as you have been doing.

Her crop is feeling flatter, but it's not emptying...I'd address that Symptom. Offer bits of coconut oil for her to eat and I'd begin treating as Sour Crop as well.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Stop feeling inside the vent, it's not necessary. If she enjoys the daily soak, continue with that. She may be having a hard time expelling lash material or she may have laid internally and just feels pressure. Hard to know. Hopefully she may pass some material so you can get a better idea of what's going on with her.

 

[FamilyofThree]

I'd continue to give her the Extra Calcium as you have been doing.

Her crop is feeling flatter, but it's not emptying...I'd address that Symptom. Offer bits of coconut oil for her to eat and I'd begin treating as Sour Crop as well.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Stop feeling inside the vent, it's not necessary. If she enjoys the daily soak, continue with that. She may be having a hard time expelling lash material or she may have laid internally and just feels pressure. Hard to know. Hopefully she may pass some material so you can get a better idea of what's going on with her.

Thank you so much for the guidance! I will try getting some coconut oil tomorrow and follow the rest of your suggestions as well.

 

[FamilyofThree]

If you think she might be egg bound, you can give her a Calcium Citrate with D3 vitamin. One a day for several days -this will help with contractions if she is trying to lay. You can buy them anywhere you buy vitamins. Just open the beak and pop it in or gently pull down on the wattles and when the beak opens pop it in. It is a large pill but they can swallow whole it no problem.
Do you offer oyster shells on the side to help with the calcium requirements they need for laying? This should be offered separate from their feed as they take what they need when they need it. Since her crop feels flat tonight, hopefully she just needs a little help laying an egg.

Thank you. We do offer oyster shells on the side, though I have been lazy about refilling them since the last time they knocked them over. They free range a few hours most days and get into egg shells out in the compost a lot too. I should put out new oyster shells again though. Thank you for the reminder.