Crop full of chicken scratch, not emptying?

[Chikenshiken]

@Chikenshiken

The article didn't attach.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ntion-and-treatments-of-crop-disorders.67194/


Is there something in the yard/coop/run they could be getting into?

Aside from the usual crop impactions I had a hen that decided to eat straw. It took almost a month to get that to work through her. I used digestive enzymes to help break it up.

I also had a hen with an impacted gizzard. She had eaten an old .22 shell casing.

Sorry for the late response. I’m still having issues which is concerning but it’s nice to know your hen also struggled with this for more than a week as I get nervous when things last long

He is passing stool though it is a partially watery. Food and things pass through but there is something inside his crop I feel that is a bit hard but a little squishy and I have a feeling he ate something he wasn’t supposed to. I have tried oil and massaging but it just won’t go down, whatever it is. I’ve also provided grit which he hasn’t eaten some today it took awhile to get here by delivery

You mentioned digestive enzymes and stool softeners? I am planning on going to the store today to find digestive enzymes. Is there a particular brand you used? Also what stool softener have you used if you haven’t already mentioned it and maybe I missed it?

 

[Eggcessive]

Generic doccusate sodium or Colase is very good. You can give 1-2 orally. Coconut oil slightly chilled can also be good, cut into small pieces to peck. If the thing in the crop is doughy or firm, you can massage the crop a few times a day after giving the stool softener or oil. Is there any yellow material inside his beak that could be canker?

 

[Chikenshiken]

Generic doccusate sodium or Colase is very good. You can give 1-2 orally. Coconut oil slightly chilled can also be good, cut into small pieces to peck. If the thing in the crop is doughy or firm, you can massage the crop a few times a day after giving the stool softener or oil. Is there any yellow material inside his beak that could be canker?

Not that I have seen but I’ll make sure to check again. I’m not sure what he ate but it’s definitely some kind of foreign material though I’m unsure what it is ! It is firm and I only noticed it yesterday. I’ll try coconut oil as I haven’t been having any luck with olive oil.

If I gave him either generic doccusate sodium or colase, what would be the dosage? I would hate to over prescribe. Do you know the dosage for digestive enzymes as well? Sorry I’m struggling to find dosage information online!

 

[ChicNmom]

The stool softener is 1 pill. I've never had to do more than 2 days in a row.

For the digestive enzyme I gave 1 capsule a day for nearly 2 weeks because my hen had a giant wad of straw in her crop. I could tell it was working because within 2 or 3 days the wad softened up and bits of straw came out when she pooped. I was also aggressively massaging and then gently pulling it apart.

As gently as possible, see if you can get the firm section of crop between your thumb and fingers. Then try to see if you can break it up or pull it apart. You can do a more aggressive massage over the mass several times a day by putting your finger pads on it and rapidly going back and forth with small strokes. The key if to just do it for maybe 30 seconds at a time several times a day if possible so it doesn't irritate the bird.

 

[Chikenshiken]

The stool softener is 1 pill. I've never had to do more than 2 days in a row.

For the digestive enzyme I gave 1 capsule a day for nearly 2 weeks because my hen had a giant wad of straw in her crop. I could tell it was working because within 2 or 3 days the wad softened up and bits of straw came out when she pooped. I was also aggressively massaging and then gently pulling it apart.

As gently as possible, see if you can get the firm section of crop between your thumb and fingers. Then try to see if you can break it up or pull it apart. You can do a more aggressive massage over the mass several times a day by putting your finger pads on it and rapidly going back and forth with small strokes. The key if to just do it for maybe 30 seconds at a time several times a day if possible so it doesn't irritate the bird.

Thank you so much. The digestive enzymes were my saving grace and this morning my babies crop was FINALLY emptied after so long. Though he’s still sluggish and I can tell he’s lost a bit of weight from not having a large appetite all this time now we’re on a path to full recovery. He’s still eating very little but I am hopeful now he’ll start feeling better without a bunch of junk in his crop

Again thank you after your babies impacted crop had passed, what did you do after for recovery? I’m trying to be careful what I feed him as of right now because my biggest fear is he’ll just get impacted again so no scratch or anything but soaked pellets and fruits and veg is being offered right now but I’m more worried about his appetite and weight loss

 

[ChicNmom]

YAY!!!

I would go with soft foods until things are passing through OK.

I'm sure having a bunch of old food that's been sitting in a crop for a while might make a chicken feel bad while it's digesting.

 

[RoyalChick]

YAY!!!

I would go with soft foods until things are passing through OK.

I'm sure having a bunch of old food that's been sitting in a crop for a while might make a chicken feel bad while it's digesting.

Glad to hear things are improving.
This thread is the first time I have seen reference to digestive enzymes. Sounds like you were able to buy some. Could you share what you got and where (human pharmacy or vet prescribed for example?).
Many thanks and good luck with your little guy!

 

[ChicNmom]

Glad to hear things are improving.
This thread is the first time I have seen reference to digestive enzymes. Sounds like you were able to buy some. Could you share what you got and where (human pharmacy or vet prescribed for example?).
Many thanks and good luck with your little guy!

I used a mixed digestive enzyme that I had for my own use. You could probably find them in the vitamin aisle or on Amazon. Mine was from Vitacost.

But I would think that any that contained cellulase would be helpful.

• Cellulase: Aids in the digestion of cellulose, an indigestible fiber found in fruits and vegetables.*

 

[RoyalChick]

I used a mixed digestive enzyme that I had for my own use. You could probably find them in the vitamin aisle or on Amazon. Mine was from Vitacost.

But I would think that any that contained cellulase would be helpful.

• Cellulase: Aids in the digestion of cellulose, an indigestible fiber found in fruits and vegetables.*

Thanks. I have a bottle of cellulase in my chicken medicine box. I never heard of anyone else using it. Appreciate the response.

 

[Chikenshiken]

Glad to hear things are improving.
This thread is the first time I have seen reference to digestive enzymes. Sounds like you were able to buy some. Could you share what you got and where (human pharmacy or vet prescribed for example?).
Many thanks and good luck with your little guy!

I got mine from a Walmart I just emptied the powder and coated some grapes with it because my chicken is picky with food and I knew he’d definitely eat the grapes

Here’s the link to the exact one I got!
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Spring-V...wl13=6798&selectedSellerId=0&wmlspartner=wlpa