Crop issue - pendulous, sour, partially obstructed? Where to start?

[khind]

I would treat the sour crop, which may be from the pendulous crop. And use a crop bra to support the crop to help it empty. If you can get it emptying more normally, then hopefully the sour crop will resolve. Pendulous crop usually is a permanent condition, so if the bra works, you will likely have to use it for the rest of her life. When using a crop bra you will need to start with it somewhat looser than it's final position, you don't want to push so hard on the crop that you force things back up. If the crop is very large, then you tighten it up just enough to hold it up some, but not force things. As it slowly goes down (hopefully) you will need to readjust for that. It may take many adjustments to get it fitting right once the crop has normalized some. I had more luck with the straps going accross the belly and breast horizontally rather than up and down in line with the body (hope that makes sense). When they ran up and down I had issues with legs getting hung up in the bottom of the bra. Some of them think the pressure from the bra is something in front of them that they need to step over, so they high step and get hung up. So it may take some experimenting to make it work for your bird correctly, do what works. it's also necessary to check it regularly, make sure no mites or lice move in underneath, and that it isn't causing any irritation anywhere. I also wrapped the straps in co wrap once it was fitted and adjusted correctly, which helped keep others from pecking at them, you can see that sticking up on her back in the picture below. And it may take some time for her to get used to it. She may walk backward or even fall over. Picture of one of my hens that spent the last few years of her life in a crop bra. She always ate like a pig and stuffed her crop, which may be why it became pendulous.
View attachment 3507654

Is there any way you could post a sketch or a pic of the placement ("horizontal") of the crop bra? Your description on chicken behavior and entanglement fits my bird to a T! I've tried mine criss-crossed on top of the back, and also the same way but with the lower straps going along the inside of the legs first. She has a horrible time with both!

 

[khind]

I would treat the sour crop, which may be from the pendulous crop. And use a crop bra to support the crop to help it empty. If you can get it emptying more normally, then hopefully the sour crop will resolve. Pendulous crop usually is a permanent condition, so if the bra works, you will likely have to use it for the rest of her life. When using a crop bra you will need to start with it somewhat looser than it's final position, you don't want to push so hard on the crop that you force things back up. If the crop is very large, then you tighten it up just enough to hold it up some, but not force things. As it slowly goes down (hopefully) you will need to readjust for that. It may take many adjustments to get it fitting right once the crop has normalized some. I had more luck with the straps going accross the belly and breast horizontally rather than up and down in line with the body (hope that makes sense). When they ran up and down I had issues with legs getting hung up in the bottom of the bra. Some of them think the pressure from the bra is something in front of them that they need to step over, so they high step and get hung up. So it may take some experimenting to make it work for your bird correctly, do what works. it's also necessary to check it regularly, make sure no mites or lice move in underneath, and that it isn't causing any irritation anywhere. I also wrapped the straps in co wrap once it was fitted and adjusted correctly, which helped keep others from pecking at them, you can see that sticking up on her back in the picture below. And it may take some time for her to get used to it. She may walk backward or even fall over. Picture of one of my hens that spent the last few years of her life in a crop bra. She always ate like a pig and stuffed her crop, which may be why it became pendulous.
View attachment 3507654

Or maybe you mean that you just bring up the top straps back and tied together (i.e., tied close to behind the neck), and then the lower straps the same way (tied more towards the mid-low back)?

 

[coach723]

Picture marked below, hopefully that makes it clearer. I found running the straps the other way caused gapping which the legs could get caught in. Running them this way, the back strap could be tightened enough against the keel to prevent any gapping. And the front strap can be slowly tightened to adjust for a full crop, and adjusted as it slowly returns to a more normal size. The front straps go just in front of the wing shoulders, and the rear is behind them. The extra straps I then wrapped together in the middle of the back so they weren't flopping around and attracting attention from the others. I used black co wrap, since it was a black bird, so it would not show up much. Hope that helps.

 

[khind]

Yes, it does! Thank you so much

 

[map41472]

I would treat the sour crop, which may be from the pendulous crop. And use a crop bra to support the crop to help it empty. If you can get it emptying more normally, then hopefully the sour crop will resolve. Pendulous crop usually is a permanent condition, so if the bra works, you will likely have to use it for the rest of her life. When using a crop bra you will need to start with it somewhat looser than it's final position, you don't want to push so hard on the crop that you force things back up. If the crop is very large, then you tighten it up just enough to hold it up some, but not force things. As it slowly goes down (hopefully) you will need to readjust for that. It may take many adjustments to get it fitting right once the crop has normalized some. I had more luck with the straps going accross the belly and breast horizontally rather than up and down in line with the body (hope that makes sense). When they ran up and down I had issues with legs getting hung up in the bottom of the bra. Some of them think the pressure from the bra is something in front of them that they need to step over, so they high step and get hung up. So it may take some experimenting to make it work for your bird correctly, do what works. it's also necessary to check it regularly, make sure no mites or lice move in underneath, and that it isn't causing any irritation anywhere. I also wrapped the straps in co wrap once it was fitted and adjusted correctly, which helped keep others from pecking at them, you can see that sticking up on her back in the picture below. And it may take some time for her to get used to it. She may walk backward or even fall over. Picture of one of my hens that spent the last few years of her life in a crop bra. She always ate like a pig and stuffed her crop, which may be why it became pendulous.
View attachment 3507654

Did you make your crop bra? I was wondering the how big the chest part should be.

I would treat the sour crop, which may be from the pendulous crop. And use a crop bra to support the crop to help it empty. If you can get it emptying more normally, then hopefully the sour crop will resolve. Pendulous crop usually is a permanent condition, so if the bra works, you will likely have to use it for the rest of her life. When using a crop bra you will need to start with it somewhat looser than it's final position, you don't want to push so hard on the crop that you force things back up. If the crop is very large, then you tighten it up just enough to hold it up some, but not force things. As it slowly goes down (hopefully) you will need to readjust for that. It may take many adjustments to get it fitting right once the crop has normalized some. I had more luck with the straps going accross the belly and breast horizontally rather than up and down in line with the body (hope that makes sense). When they ran up and down I had issues with legs getting hung up in the bottom of the bra. Some of them think the pressure from the bra is something in front of them that they need to step over, so they high step and get hung up. So it may take some experimenting to make it work for your bird correctly, do what works. it's also necessary to check it regularly, make sure no mites or lice move in underneath, and that it isn't causing any irritation anywhere. I also wrapped the straps in co wrap once it was fitted and adjusted correctly, which helped keep others from pecking at them, you can see that sticking up on her back in the picture below. And it may take some time for her to get used to it. She may walk backward or even fall over. Picture of one of my hens that spent the last few years of her life in a crop bra. She always ate like a pig and stuffed her crop, which may be why it became pendulous.
View attachment 3507654

Did you make the crop bra? I just made one for my girl & I may have gotten it a little too big. What size should the front be? Oh my does she ever walk backwards when I first put it on her. She is slowly getting use to it. I feel like I may have made it too big??

 

[coach723]

After experimenting, I ended up with a 5" by 5" square, that's what worked best for me. Big enough to support the crop, without rubbing on wings or anything else. Your's does look a little large.

 

[azygous]

I made a thread with instructions and a pattern for a crop bra. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/making-a-crop-bra-for-a-hen-with-pendulous-crop.1464848/

 

[map41472]

After experimenting, I ended up with a 5" by 5" square, that's what worked best for me. Big enough to support the crop, without rubbing on wings or anything else. Your's does look a little large.

Thanks

 

[Cici84]

I'm a little unsure where to start with my chicken's crop issues, so appreciate any tips!

We've had chickens for 3 years, first time to have an issue. Chicken (named Banana) is 1 year old, Easter Egger mix of some sort. She has had a large crop that empties slowly for months. I thought it was just how she is so didn't worry about it too much. She eats great (layer pellets, scraps like apples, free-range in grassy yard, occasional scratch grains), lays eggs, poops (at night, not sure during the day), very active, etc. She has started bobbing her head funny later in the day like after a whole day of eating and hardly any movement of the food/water she's uncomfortable and trying to shift things. Now I can tell she is losing weight. When I pick her up and feel her breastbone area she is too bony. I'm worried if I don't take action she'll slowly get too malnourished. Goal is to help her on our own, no vet support available.

I've read a ton about sour and impacted crops. A little confused where to start...!

I separated her last night in a dog carrier with cardboard. Her crop was huge (softball+) when she went to bed. Today it's smaller (tennis ball), but not empty. She pooped a lot in the night. One was huge and completely normal, then others were smaller and dry, almost like pooping out what looks like topsoil consistency. Her crop feels squishy and when I massage it I hear gurgling and gassy sounds.

If this is sour crop caused by a bit of obstruction that slows things down, does she need surgery? I think it sounds like sour crop, but even if I treat that won't it just come back again and again unless we actually remove whatever is causing the blockage? I suspect she could have eaten long grass before I mowed or some foam that I found her pecking at on the bottom of a trailer (that is now blocked off so they can't get under it anymore). I was planning to do the surgery at home this week if I can get the materials needed, but now I'm not sure. Should I try other things first or if surgery is ultimately needed shouldn't I just do it now? We have a few short trips scattered through May and June which basically means for her to have a fully supervised 2 week recovery period I need to do it now or have to wait until July, and I'm afraid by July she'll be starved!

To proceed with treating sour crop, I'm also a little unsure where to start. I've read about molasses water, ACV water, Epsom salt water, nystatin. Which should I start with?

She hasn't had food or water yet this morning, I was trying to decide which to do before giving her anything today! Thank you for any help!

I just wanted to ask if you have had any luck resolving this issue? I'm having what seems like the same issue with one of my girls and am praying to find answers on what to do. I'm lost on how to proceed.