Could she have impacted crop?

[Wynette]

ACK! I didn't know about crop problems causing vent problems, as well! THANKS for letting me know!!

I'll report back in the morning, and hopefully, with good news. If the lump seems to have gone down by the time I get home....okay to offer her some crumbles in yogurt? I've got starter crumbles, but they are medicated. Only other poultry feed I have is layer, but it's pellets. I also have steam-rolled oats that I could cook in some water in the microwave...?

 

[Wynette]

Well, my girl is exactly the same this morning as she was yesterday. I'm getting frustrated. I crop massaged last night and again this morning, quite vigorously, and gave 5-6 cc's olive oil before massage each time. She has no hard food, just water with ACV and yogurt - I did add diced fresh tomatos to her yogurt last night and again this morning.

When I got to the barn early this a.m., once again, her crop was full and very firm. By "full," I don't mean "large" - just regular full as if she ate a full meal.

She's still feisty, and still almost gets out each time I go to remove her from the cage. I did NOT see any fresh poops AT ALL in her cage yesterday - vent seems to look fine.

When I gave her the fresh yogurt with tomato bits in it this a.m. (after rinsing out the food from yesterday), she went right after it, like a chicken on dispatch row! So, she's got a good appetite, is drinking, but her crop is not emptying as it should be. And if she's eating, WHY are there no poops in her cage, and why has she lost so much weight? ACK! So frustrating!

I have some Hydroxyzine syrup from my poultry vet that I got from her 11 months ago, so it may be quite old; I THINK she told me at the time that it was to help get the crop moving along, but I COULD be wrong...it could also be to help dry up sinuses. At that time I had two chickens I'd taken in to her, one with a ball of hay in her crop and the other with a nasal issue. So, I'm not 100% sure what this stuff is for. I Googled, and the hits I got indicated it's an antihistamine - here's what I found on it:

"HYDROXYZINE (Vistaril

) is an antihistamine. This drug relieves itching and allergic skin reactions; may relieve emotional conditions that result in anxiety and tension; reduces nausea and vomiting; helps make you sleep before surgery or at bedtime, and may help with pain relief after surgery."

So, it's not sounding like it's the right thing to give my girl - thoughts?

I don't know what else to try on this hen. Any ideas?

 

[LynneP]

I still think the problem is at the base of the crop where she is unable to get the nutrition into her system. Poor baby is trying to get the food down, which is good. I would continue to lift the crop and massage. Is there anyone who can hen-sit and treat this one for you while you are at work?

The meds don't sound right to me, either.

It's going to take time to get a solid mass dissolved too, possibly as much as 5 days.

 

[Wynette]

Well, my DH is home during the day, but I seriously doubt I'll be abel to talk him into massaging her crop. But, since today's Friday, I'll be home all weekend and will be able to work on her more. Maybe I can be REALLY nice to DH this weekend and get him to keep going with the massages next week, assuming she'll still need it.

Can you give me other food suggestions? I know you mentioned unsweetened applesauce - I'll pick that up tonight...what about baby food? Other stuff that would be good?

Thanks so much for your adivce & encouragement!

 

[LynneP]

I think you have what is needed, Wynette, but I'd mix with her feed to keep a balance to her nutrition. And remember if you smell sour crop, no yogurt.

Cucumber is acidic and easily digestible too.

I fretted with Zipfi, I do know how it hurts to see them in trouble. She is my nicest hen now and perfectly healthy.

 

[Wynette]

Cucumber- perfect.

Okay, so I should be mixing it in with her regular feed. Will do. Are starter crumbles (MEDICATED) okay, or should she not have medicated? If not, I'll just pulverize her layer in the food processor, since I feed pellets. Thanks so much, LynneP!

(ETA: LynneP - I did read your pages on this, and the rest of the issues you chronicled there - very informative & interesting!)

 

[LynneP]

I'd be inclined to use her regular feed, Wynette, because that way you keep the nutritional balance as close to normal as possible under the circumstances. I'm wondering stil if she has a few stones in there at the base, and whether we need time to dissolve the stuff. Gosh, they can be silly about what they eat!

 

[Wynette]

I suppose she could have some stones in there. I've been massaging quite aggressively and have not felt anything that feels unusual. There's one in there that feels just a bit bigger than the rest, and it's maybe the size of...hmmm...maybe 1/6 the size of a pencil eraser?

Alright; I'll use her regular layer pellets and maybe soak them in cucumber or tomato juice to break them down a bit. Cross fingers that she'll be better soon. Thanks again, LynneP!

 

[LynneP]

How is she managing Wynette?

We're on hurricane watch so I may be off-line, but I'm sure there are many others who can assist- take care!

 

[Wynette]

OH! Hurricane watch! SCARY! Hope all works out okay, LynneP!

Well, she seems to be eating, but not much. Still sort of picking out what she likes best, which is tomato. This morning was the first morning that her crop was ALMOST empty. If I had to guess how much was in it from feeling it, I'd say maybe 1 tsp. That's the smallest it's been in the morning, but I know it should be completley empty, so she'll stay in quarantine and I'll continue with the 5-6ml olive oil twice daily, 3 drops of Poly Vi Sol twice daily, and several times' daily crop massaging.

THANKS so much for checking back in - I really appreciate it!

Oh, I am mixing in some of her layer pellets with the tomato and/or cucumber, and she seems to not be eating them at all, even after they get soft from the juices. Not sure what to make of that. But I THINK she's actually even putting on some weight now. I've only seen a few poops in her cage. But, she's as feisty as ever, so that's a good sign!