1st time dealing with crop impaction -- 4 mos old

[Happy Novogens]

Found one of my baby girls with an oversized crop early this morning. I've massaged it and just put her in a broody breaker crate so she cannot access food (as I was recommended). I've been reading up and seeing suggestions to get her some coconut oil (which we have on hand). I'm also seeing conflicting info -- feed, don't feed, offer pro-biotics (don't even know what those are or what form those come in or where to get them).

I'm unsure how to proceed from here. We have been having insane heat here. Yesterday hit 121. (Have misters running, wading pool, plenty of water, shade.) Today is supposed to be same as yesterday. Should I bring her inside while she's dealing with this? If so, should I also bring in her "sister"? -- Those 2 were raised together and are the newcomers to the flock.

How often should I massage her crop? Is it possible to overdo it?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I'm unsure how to proceed from here. We have been having insane heat here. Yesterday hit 121. (Have misters running, wading pool, plenty of water, shade.) Today is supposed to be same as yesterday. Should I bring her inside while she's dealing with this? If so, should I also bring in her "sister"? -- Those 2 were raised together and are the newcomers to the flock.

I might think about bringing them in, that sounds like hell and maybe deadly if already under the weather.

She won't be eating with her crop like that. She *might* be drinking lot's to try and clear the impaction. Restricting food over night is usually enough to diagnose crop condition in the morning before offering food again.

See if this article helps at all.. (it says massage every 30 minutes)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Probiotics.. is an over rated marketing term that sells lots of product for what your body already does on it's own (also usually only two specific strains).. supposedly the opposite of anti biotics.. meant to support the "good" gut bacteria.. often already included in many formulated feed rations but better advertised on the prettier bags. I'm not saying never beneficial.. but I am saying WAY over hyped. Sometimes given after rounds of anti biotics (to re-establish gut flora).. since they kill indiscriminately., or so the story goes..

https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/can-you-make-your-gut-healthier-probiotics

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem....king-of-health/whats-the-deal-with-probiotics

 

[Little Tala Bug]

I give probiotics (in the form of homemade kefir) to balance the crop flora and keep it from going sour. For impaction I withhold solid food and offer water with papaya enzymes (ordered off amazon). Last time one of my girls had an impaction I isolated her and followed this protocol and she was good as new in 48 hours.

 

[Happy Novogens]

I might think about bringing them in, that sounds like hell and maybe deadly if already under the weather.

She won't be eating with her crop like that. She *might* be drinking lot's to try and clear the impaction. Restricting food over night is usually enough to diagnose crop condition in the morning before offering food again.

See if this article helps at all.. (it says massage every 30 minutes)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Probiotics.. is an over rated marketing term that sells lots of product for what your body already does on it's own (also usually only two specific strains).. supposedly the opposite of anti biotics.. meant to support the "good" gut bacteria.. often already included in many formulated feed rations but better advertised on the prettier bags. I'm not saying never beneficial.. but I am saying WAY over hyped. Sometimes given after rounds of anti biotics (to re-establish gut flora).. since they kill indiscriminately., or so the story goes..

https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/can-you-make-your-gut-healthier-probiotics

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem....king-of-health/whats-the-deal-with-probiotics

Thanks so much for the feedback and the links! I'm continuing massages and she drank up some coconut oil.

Before she got the oil, and after her first massage, she did hop down and start eating. That surprised me. From what I understand, I should not let her eat until her crop is back to normal.

I'll massage every half hour for the next 3 hours. Then I have to be gone for around 7 hours. Hoping for the best.

 

[Happy Novogens]

Would like to get feedback if I am doing the massaging in a correct/incorrect manner. If anyone experienced could take a look and let me know, it'd be greatly appreciated. Wish I could see a video of someone doing it correctly.