Bantam hen has sharp stick stuck in crop

[kikicat]

Hi,

I have a Pekin Bantam hen who is about 18 months old. Today I noticed that she has something that feels like a long sharp stick stuck horizontally in her crop. She doesn’t seem to be behaving any differently than usual, and she’s eating and drinking just fine. Haven’t noticed any unhealthy poop either. Has anybody experienced something similar? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[azygous]

This is a problem you probably need to address. Do you have a vet who will see chickens and do surgery?

This sharp object risks perforating the crop or intestines. The result would be death from internal bleeding. If you are a brave person, I can direct you on how to surgically open the crop to extract the stick. It's not something you need a vet degree for.

 

[kikicat]

This is a problem you probably need to address. Do you have a vet who will see chickens and do surgery?

This sharp object risks perforating the crop or intestines. The result would be death from internal bleeding. If you are a brave person, I can direct you on how to surgically open the crop to extract the stick. It's not something you need a vet degree for.

The timing couldn’t be worse as we are off on holiday in two days time.
If you can give us some guidance that would be great.

 

[azygous]

You are going to open the crop at the exact spot where you feel the end of the stick. First step is to find a helper to hold the patient. Wrap her in a towel like a burrito to confine wings and feet. Pulling some material over the head loosely will further calm her.

Have a basin of warm water laced with some mild soap handy. You need Vetericyn or Betadine, also a very sharp, new one sided razor blade or Xacto knife, sterilized.

Picture what you are about to do. The crop is a double walled organ. You will be wetting down the area as you clean it. It will enable you to see the stick outline better with the feathers wet. You will make an very shallow incision just to one side of the stick end. Then you will slightly move that slightly to the side, and make the incision on the inner skin of the crop right over the end of the stick. The two incisions will be slightly offset. It's important they do not line up exactly.

Gently squeeze the stick end toward the opening and extract it. Be sure there are no other sticks. Douse the incisions liberally with Betadine or spray with Vetericyn. You are finished. No stitches are necessary. The wound will close shortly.

Feed soft foods for a couple days. Yogurt, soft boiled egg, and wet feed. Nothing hard.