Could it be the start of an impacted crop?

[bairo]

Wrap the bird in a clean towel and gently tilt the bird forward (not backward) so that her body is vertical to the floor and the head is close to the ground while massaging the crop contents gently toward her mouth. You may need to open the beak to allow the vomit to flow out. The chicken should remain upside down for short durations only – 15 to 20 seconds maximum. Let her back up slowly so she swallows any left over in her mouth and does not aspirate it.

Repeat one to two times only. Allow the chicken time to rest and do not handle the bird roughly. When you think the hen has emptied her crop (partially or fully), be sure to keep the hen separate from the flock and give her time to rest. This may be repeated in two days time, though it is extremely important to not overdo this procedure.

 

[nakstk]

Thanks bairo. She has been in a smaller dog crate for 3 days (2 nights) with no food. She still has stuff in her crop. I massage it and have given her mineral oil, which I have seen in her poop. She is NOT pooping that often though, only 5 times all day yesterday and it stunk so bad. I will try to make her puke today. She is still acting normal, ornery as ever. I can tell the poor thing is staving she pecks and everything that comes near the crate.

I feel bad for her.

 

[THELMA]

when vomitting my little girl I let her drink water with bicarb of soda in first. After a few mins of this settling if you pick her up and try to get the contents of her crop out it will flow very easily. I would not try to vomit her if the contents are still hard only if they are soft and squishy.

 

[kgardiner]

It seems like we are having identical problems. My pullet has been like this for almost two weeks now... She's been on Baytril for the last eight days. Her crop is still not emptying overnight. It does however feel different. It feels like it has a tighter feeling.. kind of muscular. Im hoping that its her crop getting better. I have noticed she has been trying to adjust her crop more often now, usually just after eating. I'm just hoping for the best, I hope she's getting better although I'm not sure because she doesn't seem to be gaining weight. I've been feeding her a little unsweet applesause, yogurt, a lil bit of her pellet food mashed up with a drop or two of poultry nutri-drench. Good luck with your hen!

 

[nakstk]

kgardiner sorry to her about your pullet. It really sucks when they get sick. My pullet (Mable) is still doing well. She still acts normal but her crop isstill not emptying over night and its been a week. She too has been getting plain applesauce and yogurt as well as, bread soaked in mineral oil & ACV, a dissolved acidolphilus pill and a few thin slices of fresh garlic. Also plenty of water. She is pooping some but not a lot. I know her poop in oily because of the mineral oil but it looks different. I am now thinking maybe she could have worms. I looked at the Poop Picture page and I think that could be a problem. I have never de wormed my pullets, they are 23.5 weeks old. How often should you de worm and what should I use. Mable is still not laying yet. So how long after you de worm is it safe to start eating eggs. She is showing signs of getting ready to lay, Comb n waddle growing bigger, and turning red and squatting.

 

[RhodeIslandRedFan]

Here's a link to an excellent thread that gives very specific directions for massaging and emptying a crop (post #2). I tried this when my hen had crop problems and I could actually feel her crop emptying as I massaged the contents through the hole in the back of the crop. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=605513&p=1
I wormed my hens with Eprinex. Dosage is 1/4 cc for small birds and 1/2 cc for larger birds, placed on the skin on the back of the neck. I read that there is no egg withdrawal time, but I discarded the eggs for the first 2 days after I treated them. Others on here use Valbazen, and I believe that does have a withdrawal time but I don't know what it is. You might want to do a search on both to help you decide which wormer you are most comfortable with.
Edited to add: Here's another ink with information on Valbazen. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=8053442

 

[nakstk]

After reading the posts on the link you posted RhodeIslandRedFan I wanted to see the anatomy of the chicken to get a better idea of where to massage/push the stuff in the crop. I found this link and though it might be helpful to others as well so I am posting it.
http://www2.ca.uky.edu/afspoultry-files/pubs/Anatomy_Digestive.pdf

I am going to try the massage again but the way it was described in the other thread. I have never really been sure at to how to massage the crop. I just sorta needed it around trying to get stuff moving.

Thanks for the help everyone. I love forums!

 

[RhodeIslandRedFan]

Quote:
Yes, looking at the anatomy does help, doesn't it? At least you know what you are aiming for...

 

[RhodeIslandRedFan]

How are things today?

 

[nakstk]

Her crop was nearly empty last night before bed it was WAY smaller more then half its size before. Maybe even 3/4 smalerl. This morning I could feel just a few pieces (maybe 5 or 6) of grit I had given her yesterday. I have read that grit could help mix things up in the crop. I know she has been eating some of the news paper ad that I have covering the bottom of the dog crate she is in. This morning she ate oatmeal and again this after noon. She is drinking water like crazy. I just don't get it she has never acted sick this whole time. My last girl with sour crop really acted sick. This one acts normal. Could some chickens just have slow crops? For now she is going to stay on a soft food diet for a few more days. I am a little worried now about reintroducing her back with her sisters. Should I just put her in at night when they are all sleeping or let her roam around outside the run for a while then let her in and see what happens?