Crop issues need HELP!

[chickcrack]

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.

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

Just checked and no poop yet

 

[chickcrack]

Aww she's adorable. Poop little girl, poop!

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

Im not sure if its just impacted or sour too

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

I've wanted a speckled sussex for awhile. I hope she recovers.

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

Should I do anything else or just let the epsom salt work through for a bit?

 

[chickcrack]

Sometimes a blockage is what causes the crop to sour. My first experience with blocked and sour crop was when my girls decided to break into the garage and eat an entire bag of sunflower seeds. 2 of them still had shells in their crop 2 days later. I could see and feel them. That very quickly turned to sour, bloated crops and 2 very lethargic chickens. I tried oil, massage, yogurt, no food...anything I could find. Finally read about epsom salt. I don't know how it actually works to clean out their crop I just know that it has worked for me several times. Be patient. If you don't see her pooping several hours after giving her the first dose then give her some more. Keep massaging like you did every now and then too.

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

Thank you I will keep trying

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

Ok came to check on her and it seems she pooped and vomited some. She's pretty alert and drinking water. I think she may have eaten some of the dirt in the corner of the crate. I picked her up and massaged her crop downwards and she began to vomit so I gave her a break and then massaged a bit more. I placed her back in the crate and she pooped some watery poop

 

[HeatherTheMommy]