rolypoly is gasping, is it a crop thing?

[kitla]

Hi,
dear Rolypoly (buff orpington) sort of gasps every so often, opening her beak
really wide. She is still very active & greedy & doesnt appear poorly atall.
I wondered if a problem with her crop could be causing this, she's free ranging
so does eat alot of grass (but its not that long).
Although she's very tame & easy to handle, I dont have a clue how to check her
crop, we're new at this. I am just watching closely for any other signs that she's unhappy.
Any advice?

[LynneP]

How long has she been gasping?

If you can get a look in her throat to check for gape worm...

And it might be a longish strand of grass, or something on it.

There is no sign of discharge from eyes or nares? Is the crop abnormally full or average size...I assume it's evening there so it should be full...

[kitla]

How long has she been gasping?

If you can get a look in her throat to check for gape worm...

And it might be a longish strand of grass, or something on it.

There is no sign of discharge from eyes or nares? Is the crop abnormally full or average size...I assume it's evening there so it should be full...

----------------------
She's tucked up in bed now, but no she has no discharge & we havent felt anything unusual with her (& she gets loads of cuddles) but as I said we're no
experts! She's only 6 mths old & had all her meds when we got her 2 weeks ago. She's doesnt seem distressed when she does this, just looks like she's
yawning or trying to clear her throat, then carries on running about & eating.
I think its likely to be grass or something. Do you think it will work its way out - (I have been giving them grit) or is it likely she'll need a vet?
I have heard that olive oil can help, I'm not sure how to do it.

[kitla]

I've been watching Rolypoly closely this morning, she's still alert, full of energy & eating well. If her crop was blocked I spose she wouldnt be eating.
However I heard a couple of snuffles while she was pecking & she does have
what looks like a slight crust on one nostril. Perhaps she has a cold!
I'm going to check out the local vets in readyness, as the gaping could be a
respiratory thing couldnt it?? I presume she's ok unless she shows signs of
feeling ill.
I hope its ok to leave it, can chickens recover from colds like us? or do they
hide their illness till its too late? (like guineapigs)

[Steve the Gas]

I would try Tylan or Baytril for the possible respiratory infection

[kitla]

Just read livvylangs thread about her hen with a cold, & I've decided to take
Rolypoly to the vet tomorrow to be safe. The kids adore her & couldnt bear to lose her. I think the vet will give her antibiotics.
I'm also off to Jollys to get some better woodshavings, we had a sackfull provided with the coop, I was a bit concerned when I saw it was the
leftover shavings from the coopbuilding, with the odd lump of wood thrown in,
but as they are chicken keepers I thought it must be ok. Today I also found
a fag end in it! This stuff cant be good for our hens!

[LynneP]

You're right, nicotine is toxic to hens, so mention it to the vet. Sounds like you've caught something early-on, which is a good thing- please let us know what the vet thinks.

(Young hens are notorious for stuffing themselves, they're in growth phase and their calorie needs are astronomical)

[kitla]

Rolypoly went to the vet yesterday, he agread she probably had a "cold" & gave
me baytril & tylan for the water, expecting her to be much better in a few days.
However the cold weather has sent her downhill & this morning she was crouching behind the pen gurgling & snuffling. I brought her into the kitchen where she's perked up & is eating & drinking her med water ok, but her breathing
is still quite bubbly sounding. I phoned the vet, who advised to give her a single
1/5 ml dose of baytril in 5ml water by syringe, but try as we might we cant get
it into her mouth. I just hope what we're doing is enough.
The other chooks have ventured out into the snow & are pecking it off each other, I wonder if they'll miss Rolypoly while she away from them.

[4c lady]

Ive had 3 hens with something similar and once you get the baytrill into them the next day they are 90% better. I found getting your finger into her beak to hold it open works and then put the syring in at the side and squirt or you could try adding some a bit of food like grapes, sweetcorn and mealworms and mix it that way.

Of my 3 hens that I kept inside - one couldnt care less, the other just wanted to go back outside with her mates and would throw herself at the patio door and the 3rd one loved every minute of being inside and then milked it for a week afterwards - just putting on that poorly me look but once inside was running around with the cats. The outside hens never missed any of the them and there was no aggression once I re-introduced.

[kitla]

Aha! done it! eventually, after several wriggly feathery arguments, I squirted
what was left of the diluted baytril onto a small piece of brown bread, which
Rolypoly threw around the room (I think because she was cross with me!)
then ate all up! I hope it helps, I hate hearing her bubbly breathing.
I'm presuming to keep her indoors for a couple of days, or until she's breathing
normally.

[p.penn]

Sounds a good move to me.

[kitla]

Hi, Roly is still breathing badly this morning, very bubbly & raspy, with a bit of a
runny beak on one side. But she is eating, drinking & seems well in herself.
I shall let her out for a while if she wants today, but I think its another night indoors for her. I hope she makes it, she's the favourite with the kids & it will
break their hearts to lose her (and mine)

[kitla]

Rolypoly has been out with the others this pm, she seems happier with them
& has been ok so far. Her breathing is still a bit raspy but not as bad as it was,
I think the baytril is working. Now I cant decide if I should bring her in tonight,
or let her snuggle with the others with extra straw. It must be less stressfull to
be with her friends, but I'm worried about it.
What do you think is best??

[LynneP]

It's a judgement call really. You don't want others to get this though'...

[kitla]

Rolypoly decided for me in the end, when the temperature dropped she came
running after me, followed me into the kitchen & took up her place under the table next the the dog & the guinea pigs! (methinks she's getting a bit too comfortable!)