bantam chick-torn crop, Please HELP!!!

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carolina chicky

carolina chicky

Songster
10 Years
Apr 1, 2009
315
4
129
South Carolina
I have a 5 day old bantam chick who was attacked last night and I think her crop is torn open. It's not bleeding, but her chest is covered with food and when she drinks it runs out of her crop and soaks her legs, etc. She is so tiny I have no clue what to do here. Please help me, I am so upset about this. I am not sure about sewing or anything, because she is so small that I can't really do a whole lot. She is acting normal but the food/water is running out.
 
I would try to clean any dirt that might be on it, apply an antibiotic (neosporin without any ingrediate containing "caine) cream, and then wrap gauze around it. You'll want to check it often (daily) to make sure it's not infected (red, oozing, swollen).
 
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Hi carolina chicky,

that's very upsetting. I can't help feeling it's either a vet job, a home-stitching (with help to hold the bird), or a cull... I'm sorry. Whatever you choose has to be done soon, and with all that food running through the chances of infection are high.

If you do stitch it up, I would think cotton thread might be best... Starve the bird first until the crop is empty... Unfortunately the crop has to be able to pull tight when the bird fills it, so I imagine they need to be strong stitches. You also need a really good antiseptic. Wish I could help more, but I've never stitched a crop... There might be 'how-to' information on the net.

good luck
Erica

EDIT: Took me a while to type, then when I posted there was already another answer. Ignore mine, the above poster sounds more knowledgeable about this kind of thing.
 
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Okay I just watched her drink and the water comes out in tiny drops from her crop. I tried my best to examine her and I can't see any type of opening or tear, but the water is definately dripping out from somewhere. I have no clue what to do. There is no redness, blood, etc. so I don't know what to do. She is acting perfectly normal. The hard part is that she is so tiny that you can't really do much.
Would something like this heal on it's own since she is so young or should we cull her? I really hope we don't have to.
 
What I explained in my first post is what I did that worked on a young bird once, however, not as small as your 5-day old bantam. Food and water were both coming out. I cleaned it up, put neosporin on it, and wrapped guaze around it. You want to make sure the guaze is changed regularly so it doesn't get dirty and nasty. And by changing it you can look for infection (red, oozing, swollen). Mine healed on it's own and was a small opening. Any larger tear in the crop would obviously be worse.
 
Thanks..
I just cleaned the area good and did something I hope wasn't the wrong thing. I put a tiny tiny dab of super glue on the skin and pulled the hole shut. I let her sit for a while and then let her try eating/drinking again. Thank God, nothing is leaking out now. I have covered the area with neosporin and tried to wrap with gauze but I can't figure out how to wrap her. I took a tiny piece and wrapped it around her but she won't walk when the gauze is on.
Any idea on how to get her wrapped with gauze or anything?
I know I am being kind of paniky but I have grown attached to the little thing and don't want her to suffer
sad.png

Thanks to everyone who is helping me here.
 
Perhaps not walking might be useful for a little while?

So I have a bit of a whacky idea...
I think you should try adding a food & liquid thickener to her water. I use these at work for people with problems swallowing, and it turns ordinary water into gloopy jelly consistency. Thicker fluids would mean it stays in the crop long enough for her to ingest it, so she doesn't get dehydrated. There's less chance of it running out and less chance of her getting an infection, and the wound staying dry would help it heal too.

Over here in the UK you get it in chemists and some health food shops, and it isn't expensive. Old peoples' homes and hospitals always have loads too, and you'd only need a cup-full to last while she heals up!
 
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Skin glue works well, super glue can be toxic, but in a pinch... well take the risk with a small amount. Now that the holes are glued, she should be good. You can mix her chick starter (if it's a brand name crumble) with water into a thick mushy paste. It will be easy for her to digest and still get liquid. Do this for a few days. you may want to also put a small amount of antibiotic in her water just incase.
 
She is eating and drinking like crazy now. Still nothing leaking out. She pooped earlier also and it was a normal poop. Maybe she is going to be alright (YAY)
Thanks again!!
 
I was reading through the posts thinking to recommend Super Glue when I read that you had already done so. I'm not sure that it will work, but it was a good and logical attempt. My gut tells me that it will solve the problem. Good luck.
 

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