Chronic Sour Crop??

[meredithbart]

I have a 3 month old chick that has sour crop again. She just went outside full time a couple weeks ago. When I noticed her full, squishy crop, I kept her inside, gradually introduced food again, and she healed nicely. I put her back out and within a couple days, she was ridiculously full again and vomiting a couple days later. She's back inside, but I don't want to have to keep doing this. She seems to eat a lot and really fast. When she started bowel movements again the first time, she was pooping straight up grass. I offer grit, but I don't know if she takes it or not. What can I do so this doesn't keep happening? None of my other chickens have problems.

 

[Chicken Egg 17]

Well I would buy her a crop bra and if they have grass I wouldn't let them eat it because spring grass don't break as easily and can cause sour crop when it gets caught they try and drink a lot of water to free it but that just makes it worse

 

[Eggcessive]

I have a 3 month old chick that has sour crop again. She just went outside full time a couple weeks ago. When I noticed her full, squishy crop, I kept her inside, gradually introduced food again, and she healed nicely. I put her back out and within a couple days, she was ridiculously full again and vomiting a couple days later. She's back inside, but I don't want to have to keep doing this. She seems to eat a lot and really fast. When she started bowel movements again the first time, she was pooping straight up grass. I offer grit,  but I don't know if she takes it or not. What can I do so this doesn't keep happening? None of my other chickens have problems. 

Do you put some grit out for the chickens to help digest the grasses they eat? Do you think she just overeats, or is she spitting up rotten smelling brown liquid? What is she eating besides grass?

 

[meredithbart]

Yes, they I put out grit for them. She is definitely spitting up rotten smelling stuff. She eats grower/finisher feed and whatever she gets in the yard, mostly grass. It started very soon after she went outside so maybe she doesn't take the grit? She was fine on just the crumble feed.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sour crop is very hard to treat. A vet could be the best help. You need to empty her crop of the rotten contents, and tube feed her water with electrolytes and vitamins mixed with some plain cultured yogurt for probiotics. Antifungal medicines can be used such as Nystatin, Canesoral, Fluconazole, and acidified copper sulfate in the water 1/4 tsp per gallon of water. Cautionary note--vomiting a chicken is very dangerous, and can choke them to death. Since this is her third episode, it may be that she hasn't fully recovered from the first. Here are some links to help you:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/impacted-slow-and-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/04/answers-from-chicken-vet-on-impacted.html
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/digestive-problems/index.aspx

 

[meredithbart]

Thanks! these are helpful. I withheld food for 24 hours and gave water with probiotics in it. I fed her eggs this morning and later today her crop was full and squishy again, so I didn't feed her tonight. She's throwing up a clearer liquid now that doesn't smell as bad. Should this be happening?? I don't make her vomit, she just does it when I pick her up. She's not lethargic and is eager to eat ANYTHING, so I feel bad for separating her and not giving her food. I'm trying to avoid going to the vet, as I recently had to take my duck and the bills were not desirable...but I will if it is her only chance.

 

[meredithbart]

Sour crop is very hard to treat. A vet could be the best help. You need to empty her crop of the rotten contents, and tube feed her water with electrolytes and vitamins mixed with some plain cultured yogurt for probiotics. Antifungal medicines can be used such as Nystatin, Canesoral, Fluconazole, and acidified copper sulfate in the water 1/4 tsp per gallon of water. Cautionary note--vomiting a chicken is very dangerous, and can choke them to death. Since this is her third episode, it may be that she hasn't fully recovered from the first. Here are some links to help you:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/impacted-slow-and-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/04/answers-from-chicken-vet-on-impacted.html
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/digestive-problems/index.aspx

Thanks! these are helpful. I withheld food for 24 hours and gave water with probiotics in it. I fed her eggs this morning and later today her crop was full and squishy again, so I didn't feed her tonight. She's throwing up a clearer liquid now that doesn't smell as bad. Should this be happening?? I don't make her vomit, she just does it when I pick her up. She's not lethargic and is eager to eat ANYTHING, so I feel bad for separating her and not giving her food. I'm trying to avoid going to the vet, as I recently had to take my duck and the bills were not desirable...but I will if it is her only chance.