Sick hen, looks like she's about to explode??

[Dazlin]

3 days ago, one hen was staying in the coop with one eye closed. I took her out and she ate food I mixed with Tylan medication. Medicated her water too. She seemed slightly better. Then she has stopped eating for 2 days now, and her chest is bulging out on one side and she's keeping the eye on that side shut again. She looks sooo poofed out, she looks like she can explode (BIG chest). No facial swelling.
I also heard heard her wheezing. Please tell me what this can be...and what else to do. I didn't want to start hand medicating, since she's not eating on her own. She's about 3 yrs old.

[Elsbet]

Could be a severely impacted crop. Others would be able to tell you better how to handle it- I haven't dealt with it recently (like in over a decade) and I don't want to give bad or outdated advice. But essentially it means the crop is blocked and possibly soured, and the swelling would cause wheezing because it puts pressure on the windpipe. Sometimes they can become impacted because they eat litter, like if they are on sawdust/woodchips.

[Dazlin]

I was thinking this too. I'll go out and try massaging her crop, and turn her over...maybe she'll throw up? I'll report back...Thanks!

[olivehill]

If the swollen crop is soft then it's probably sour crop. If you drain her upside down you need to make sure 1) you do not hold her upside down too long and 2) that you turn her back up in one quick, swift motion. If she inhales some of the fluid you will have a bird with pneumonia on your hands.

After draining her the first thing I would offer is the biggest bowl of grit you can get, the second is a bowl full of garlic mash. Hold the food for a bit until she eats the garlic and grit.

[Elsbet]

good luck!

[Dazlin]

Ok I just felt her crop. It's soft and does not feel full at all. I put her out to walk around, so maybe she'll eat some dirt. She looks more normal out walking around. Maybe she was all puffed up in the cage, sitting? I don't know...the eye and the wheezing throw me off. Anyway, she's looking normal outside....hmmmm.
I will add a bunch of garlic to her food. I left a bowl out and some medicated water, but I'm not sure she's eating. So if I find her sitting still with one eye closed...what do think?

[Dazlin]

Not doing any better this morning. Very puffed up, and not eating or drinking. I can hear her breathing, and she keeps one eye shut for a while. I gave a another dose of Tylan by syringe, orally, but she's not doing much.
Maybe...have to put her down?

[wildhorse]

Have you put her under a heat lamp? Aka a birdie hospital.

[WstTxLady]

best to put her down

[Dazlin]

It's Saturday 6 pm here. No heat lamp needed...temps in 90's. She's in a cage in the barn. I just gave her another dose of Tylan. I'll see by tomorrow what's doin...Thanks!

[BoldViolet]

How's she doing?