I just had a tramautic experience with sour crop. I didn't know that is what it was, and I did use the epsom salt solution last night with great success. Before I gave her the epsom salt wash I did massage her squishy crop and vomit her with success. She did have some normal droppings during the night, but her crop was still not empty this morning, so I took her to the vet because I adore her and she was either going to be treated, to help her or euthanize her to end her suffering.
During the vet visit, she let loose with the most horrific diarrhea and she felt so much better. So the epsom salt flush took about 12 hours to get it all moving along. The vet really did not want to treat her because he does not do chickens, but he did do a lavage on her crop, and took out what was really old grass. She is 100% better, and I am praying tomorrow morning she will wake up with an empty crop.
It is really stressful to newbie chicken owners when they are feeling sick because there could be so many symptoms that are similar.
I will monitor her carefully and hope for a complete recovery.
I learned so much what to do and what not to do. The hardest part in trying to treat your chickens without professional help is that there are too many conflicting treatments. Some of the treatments were downright crazy.
The epsom salt flush really helped my chicken and I hope it will help yours.
As for vomiting your chicken There were several chicken experts FOR, and several against. It was truly a scary experience, but I watched several videos, and there were some videos that I didn't like at all. I was fortunate that I was successful and happy I didn't kill her.
I hope you can help your chicken, as I shed many tears in frustration and sadness in seeing my Silver so ill. Good luck!
Congrats on successfully treating your girl! I hear you that it's scary snd confusing when one is ill. It will get a little easier as you go and everytime you have to deal with an illness you get a lot more knowledgeable to diagnose and treat next time. This website has been an awesome resource for me. I read almost every post in the emergencies thread so I can follow and learn from everyone. I'm not sure there is any more knowledgeable pet owner (or livestock manager depending how you view them) as those that keep chickens.