Hoping some of the poultry experts will be on soon.
One of my hens hasn't laid for a couple of days. She is normally a one a day girl.
Anyway, she is today very floppy and sorry for herself. She is drinking but not eating. At first I thought she might be egg bound but I can't feel one in her abdomen. Then I thought crop and yes, her crop does seem a bit squishy and hot. Though seems quite empty also, certainly not ballooning with fluid. I held her upside down and clear liquid came out of her beak, I massaged gently and got a bit more - about a teaspoon in all, probably. After this she perked up very slightly.
I looked up sour crop and it said brown, foul smelling liquid - this is clear and doesn't smell.
Otherwise, her comb is red, a bit floppy, her eyes bright when she opens them, and she doesn't have any parasites. They are wormed but are just coming up to it again - however I would be amazed if it is worms, as they don't free range. (They have a good size run on concrete with a thick layer of hemp bedding kept clean.) Her vent is clean and normal looking. The run has a shade covering. No-one is doing abnormal droppings. My other 3 are so far full of the joys of spring.
Any thoughts? The vets are shut, if she lives til tomorrow I will ring them. The only medicinal things I have to hand are citricidal, echinacea, and cooking apple cider vinegar - and natural yogurt as well.
Thanks very much for any help.