Crop issues need HELP!

[HeatherTheMommy]

Should I wet the feed? I don't have any real grit and not sure I will be able to get any today

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

Went out and gave her some feed. When I looked in she had actually pooped again. She went crazy when she saw the feed. Hopefully it works its way through.

 

[chickcrack]

Does she free range at all? They pick up small pebbles when they are digging and scratching. Mine are out everyday but I still leave a small dish in their coop that they pick at as needed. You could just see if you can find some small pebbles or gravel on your property. Just in case that dime you are feeling is the last bit that needs worked through. Just keep an eye on poop today to make sure everything is still moving along well. She should feel so much better with that belly ache gone. Is she still doing the odd neck movements? If after observing today she seems good I would let her roost as normal tonight. After my first crop issues I got into the habit of touching each birds crop when I lock them up at night. If something feels off at night I make sure to remove food and check that bird in the morning. It doesn't happen often but I figure it's like that old saying "an ounce of prevention is like a pound of cure". Crop issues as you have seen are horrible and frustrating to deal with! Fingers crossed you both have a good day!

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

She isn't full blown free ranging yet until they are a few weeks older to integrate into my established flock. Their pen gives them access to the ground tho. Next time i go to tsc i will get some grit. I'm going to go try and observe to see if she does the weird movements. Tough because my husband is leaving for business and I can't just leave my kids inside to stare at her lmao

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

Yes she is still jerking her neck and looks like maybe she vomited some food. Hard to tell but there is some mushy
mushy food on the outside of her beak.

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

Unless maybe I gave her to much food and she gorged herself since she's literally starving

 

[chickcrack]

Give her crop a feel and leave her for a few hours to see what poop comes out and check crop again. Is it possible she may have mites, lice or worms? All of those can cause the strange head movements you describe as well. Crop issues can just be crop issues but they can also be a symptom of something underlying. If she has eaten and she is pooping fine and seems alert I wouldnt worry too much today. Just check on her when you can. Maybe the kids would like a house chicken in a cage for the day

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

No lice or mites. Dunno about worms. Not sure how to know. Could she have a pendulous crop?

 

[chickcrack]

I think pendulous crop would be odd in a young bird but I could be wrong. If her crop feels saggy or hangs below where it naturally should then I guess it's possible but from the pics you posted it doesn't look like it. As for worms you can try to get a fecal test done at a vets. You just drop fresh poop off to them. I managed to get one done at a dog/cat vet for $30 early this year. They look for worms or eggs and coccidiosis. Or you can do a general preventive worming of your whole flock (which is a good idea to do a couple times a year). There's some very good threads on here about different products. I live in Canada so can't advise you on that since our products are different that yours. Just something to consider.

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

Thanks. I haven't noticed her doing the jerking thing to much. When she did it was just like she was pushing food down her throat but not nearly as often as she was doing it yesterday. I watched her for a bit but she was mostly focused on eating and drinking. I felt her crop and it felt ok. Not rock hard but not super squishy and not to big after eating. I will check back in a bit to see if she poops anymore.