6wk Bantam Neurological Issues

[azygous]

If the chick is eating on its own, then it won't likely starve in the short term. But, long term, the blockage could deprive the chick of adequate calories and nutrients.

The oil and stool softener treatment is quite safe.

 

[WannabeHomsteader]

If the chick is eating on its own, then it won't likely starve in the short term. But, long term, the blockage could deprive the chick of adequate calories and nutrients.

The oil and stool softener treatment is quite safe.

Tried our first round of stool softener + coconut oil yesterday evening. It is morning here now. No change in the blockage really, although I did notice that it is bendable/pliable in the crop. How long should I continue stool softener treatment? I am starting to get nervous about sour crop or something similar, just because it has been over a week since symptoms began. No smell or anything to indicate sour crop yet, though.

 

[WannabeHomsteader]

@azygous Great news!! The lettuce rib seems to have passed through the crop. I can't feel it at all, and it was hard to miss prior to the stool softener treatment. I'm so relieved. She (I think it's a pullet now, ha) also acts like she feels better. Minor bad news: her crop was squishy like a water balloon when I checked first thing this morning. I'm thinking sour crop maybe? I have miconazole on hand from a vent gleet scare with one of my older hens. But I consider sour crop an improvement over impacted crop.

Thank you for talking me through the lettuce problem!

 

[azygous]

Yeast can result from a crop that has been slow to empty. Since this chick is so young, you may not need the full yeast treatment. First try probiotics in combination with feeding unflavored Greek yogurt for a few days.

 

[WannabeHomsteader]

Yeast can result from a crop that has been slow to empty. Since this chick is so young, you may not need the full yeast treatment. First try probiotics in combination with feeding unflavored Greek yogurt for a few days.

Just so I'm understanding.... probiotics AND greek yogurt? Two separate things? I have greek yogurt.

 

[azygous]

Yes. Do both to colonize her digestive tract with an assortment of digestive microbes. Give the Greek yogurt now.

 

[WannabeHomsteader]

UPDATE:

This chick is doing great at 9 wks! The stool softener/coconut oil combo worked wonders. The head movement shown in the previous video was apparently from the discomfort of having a large object stuck in the crop. After 3 days of feeding stool softener, the "thing", whatever it was, was broken down and digested. He's been affectionately named Twitchy. Unfortunately, Twitchy is a cockerel, so I cannot keep him. But he sure is handsome fella! I'm glad he got better so he can hopefully live a good life elsewhere.

 

[Tookie]

UPDATE:

This chick is doing great at 9 wks! The stool softener/coconut oil combo worked wonders. The head movement shown in the previous video was apparently from the discomfort of having a large object stuck in the crop. After 3 days of feeding stool softener, the "thing", whatever it was, was broken down and digested. He's been affectionately named Twitchy. Unfortunately, Twitchy is a cockerel, so I cannot keep him. But he sure is handsome fella! I'm glad he got better so he can hopefully live a good life elsewhere.

So glad to hear to this!
I sure hope you can find him a wonderful new home to live out his life!