Arizona Chickens

Thanks, countrygirl. The crop is squishy and her burps stink so I think it's sour crop. I stopped trying to get her to spit up after the first day. It wasn't productive and then I read more about it and how dangerous it can be. I'm just massaging now. I'm doing the recommended treatments listed (isolated, acv, probiotics). So far, nothing has been helping. She's already lost weight. I went to Walgreen's last night about bought some anti-fungal cream (monistat, and was that ever embarrassing!) and gave her some of that last night and this morning. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she'll pull through. It's a bummer that I'm having a health issue so early in my chicken keeping.
Mylanta or Maalox is helpful with sour crop. It is my first choice for treatment. Additionally, when dealing with sour crop, withhold all food until the condition clears up.
 
I've been wondering about the cause of sour crop...it could just be 'one of those things' but maybe it was a combination of the bermuda stringers that I had pulled (which really should be digested by now, they're not THAT ropey and tough) and the fact that I ran out of apple cider vinegar on Friday through Sunday. I usually put a capfull of acv on their food every morning.
It is not from a temporary lack of ACV. Many people do not use ACV and have no problems.

The long strands of bermuda could have blocked her crop from emptying, allowing the contents to ferment and go bad. Or there could have been some bacterial or fungal agent that she ingested that then multiplied while the crop was blocked, or it could have been something that affected her entire digestive system, backing it all up, so that the symptoms you are seeing are only the backed up crop. This is what an avian vet told me about the causes of sour crop.
 
I was told acv in the heat was not a good thing? I would prefer using acv year round if I could. We've been having real regular 110 degree temps here. The heat is bad enough without stressing them with acv and heat if its not recommended. Thoughts?
I pay no attention to weather when using ACV. If anything, I would be more inclined to up the dose during hot weather or other times of stress.
 
Last edited:
Trying to make quite a bit of money in a short time. meh. im gonna go sleep. forever
th.gif
 
Often, you'll get a faster and sometimes more appropriate help in the Emergency Forum.

Now, my guess would the heat. Bring her inside if you can, and put her in a cool, but not cold, bath. Regular tap water temperature is probably fine. Also, make sure to give her water with electrolytes in it, like Pediasure. As she professes some, try a softer food like scrambled eggs or raw yogurt. Both are excellent.

Keep us posted.
Phyllis is still down but improving. I've given her water with a pipette and she has eaten a bit of yogurt and chopped lettuce. We let them out of the run in the afternoons and I've held her in 4 inches of water till her underside is wet. She sits and pecks at the grass or sleeps when out. Coop is cool with a nice breeze and she finds the coolest spot and stays there. We hope she steadily improves but are prepared for the worst. Thanks for the help.
 
The marans still has squishy crop. I did have a "duh" moment--if sour crop is a yeast/fungal problem, I've had flucazonale (an anti-fungal) this whole time. One of my dogs has valley fever, and has to take it twice a day. Anyway, I tried some ground up flucazonale last night and this morning. Mylanta or Maalox? Well, what the heck, I can try that too. It'll be a lot less embarrassing than buying yeast cream for a darn chicken.

Chicken Feat, hope Phyllis pulls through! I have 2 silkie/Polish crosses that look just like her! They look much more like Polish, but they have 5 toes, though some of them are fused, and dark skin of silkies.
 
The marans still has squishy crop. I did have a "duh" moment--if sour crop is a yeast/fungal problem, I've had flucazonale (an anti-fungal) this whole time. One of my dogs has valley fever, and has to take it twice a day. Anyway, I tried some ground up flucazonale last night and this morning. Mylanta or Maalox? Well, what the heck, I can try that too. It'll be a lot less embarrassing than buying yeast cream for a darn chicken.

Chicken Feat, hope Phyllis pulls through! I have 2 silkie/Polish crosses that look just like her! They look much more like Polish, but they have 5 toes, though some of them are fused, and dark skin of silkies.
Phyllis has been one of our favorites. Very picky and prissy, she's #2 in the pecking order after Omelette a very small Silkie that rules the roost. Phyllis is very lethargic in the heat, but our other Polish, Lucy, seems to tolerate the heat much better. Weird huh? I'm doing everything I can to keep her hydrated and cool. We've had chickens for almost a year and have not lost one yet. Hopefully I can bring her back.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom