Drstratton - My Backyard Journey Journal

[drstratton]

She was out again! I have one more spot to block, I was hoping that area was out of their reach, but no, where there's a will there's a way...lol If that doesn't work, then wings will be clipped. I know it doesn't hurt them, but I don't want to do that. More than that, I don't want them to get killed by roaming dogs.

 

[Baymule]

30 eggs! I think I’d crack them in a bowl first, then add to whatever you are cooking.

 

[SageHill]

OMG --- she's part goat!

 

[drstratton]

30 eggs! I think I’d crack them in a bowl first, then add to whatever you are cooking.

Yes, definitely wouldn't want to chance a rotten one...

 

[drstratton]

OMG --- she's part goat!

I think you might be right...lol

 

[Mini Horses]

Water test them. Easy and very accurate. With that many hens, probably only 3-5 days worth. Nice find!!

 

[drstratton]

Wow, what a great roost...so soft and squishy, much better than a 2x4!

 

[drstratton]

I have another sick hen.
I was able to catch her this morning, she has slowed way down. Her abdomen does not seem swollen. I think it might be a crop issue. The last time I checked her she had food in her crop. It was soft and pliable. Today, it was the same and I'm pretty sure she hasn't been eating. I don't know if it's sour crop or impacted. It's good that it's not rock hard. In the 35 years I've had chickens, I've been fortunate to have not had any major crop issues until this poor girl.

I watched a video.
I turned her upside down, and started to massage her crop and immediately got some sandy liquid out. It did not smell foul and her crop really isn't hard. I did that quite a few times giving her breaks. Then I administered 10ml of olive oil, the Vet tech on the video made it look much easier. There was oil on her, me, the floor and the wall...lol Anyway, I refilled the syringe and got some more down her. Massaged a little in the upright position. Set her down and dipped her beak into the water a few times to help keep her hydrated. I will withhold food. She hasn't pooped since I brought her inside, hopefully things will start to move. I will go through the massage process again tonight, hopefully she will vomit. Then let her rest overnight to see if she has pooped and check if her crop has improved. If not, I will go through the process again to see if I can get her to vomit.

I have her in my laundry room for the moment.

 

[SageHill]

Keeping my fingers crossed for you hen. Sounds like you are doing everything you can and making some progress.

 

[drstratton]

Keeping my fingers crossed for you hen. Sounds like you are doing everything you can and making some progress.

Thank you!

I'm just not 100% sure I'm on the right track. Waiting for some feedback on BYC about possibly starting her on Baytril.