[Dellie]

Hi all, one of my hens is quacking!  She sounds like she has a sore throat, is that possible?  She seems to be eating and drinking, although it's been that wet lately I haven't spent as much time watching them.  She may have lost a few more feathers around the neck area also.

Anyone any ideas what could be wrong and what I should do?

[Dellie]

Update -

Today I've noticed she seems very swollen around the breast area, it's soft and feels like a fluid sac.  She seems lively enough but I'm worried about her and really don't want her to infect the others.

[chasechicken]

Sorry to hear she's not well :-(

Would you say it's her crop which feels 'fluidy?'  If so it could be blocked or 'sour' - I'm hoping another member will give more details on what to do if it is.  That's what it sounds like to me, and may explain the strange noises...

Is she lethargic at all?  How many others do you have?

[Dellie]

Thanks for getting back to me.  It does seem to be the crop that's swollen and apart from the strange noises she appears to be fine, well, as fine as the others, they all are a little sorry for themselves in all this rain

I tried tempting them with some meal worms and she was as keen as the others (I have 5 ex batts and 4 turkeys), and she's not staying in the nest box or anything.  I had a wee prod at her and she didn't seem to mind so I don't think she's in any distress, but it looks and sounds a bit odd!

[chasechicken]

Hmm - I'm no expert at all I'm afraid so don't want know what to suggest... however, in the morning check to see if the crop is still swollen/spongey as her food should digest overnight.

If it is then swollen you know there's something wrong there in the morning and can look at treatments.

Have they been wormed?  Just wondering if she has a throat worm of some sort?  Again, hopefully someone will back me up!...

[henamoured]

Hi Dellie
I'd echo chasechicken and wait and see if her crop's empty in the morning. If not, there's loads about sour crop and imacted crops if you put these terms in as searches in the box top right.
It might be worth just starving her for a day (make sure she still has water though) to see if it'll clear on its own first. I did this in the summer with success.
One note of caution, if she's weak or got a temprature you'd obviously not have a day's grace to play with and would need urgent action
Anyway fingers crossed for you that she's back to normal am