Crop not emptying, chicken lethargic

[Onyxflock]

Hey everyone!

I have a problem with my hen, her crop has not been emptying for few days, I reacted earlier and thought I solved the problem but apparently I did not... Her crop was all mushy and full yday, I emptied it for her, flushed it out, taking out of that slimy brown thing out but still there is something inside since she's even worse this morning, full and mushy again. I've lost another chicken last month to this, I honestly believe it has smt to do with earthworms, cause whenever I free range them, they instantly go on a quest for them... I'm desperate at this state, seeing her getting worse and having a feeling she will end up the same like my previous hen. Few minutes ago I emptied her crop again and let her have a break while I hopefully get some further tips/help on here what to do next. Any advices?

An article said to eliminate food for a day, only giving a water and vinegar solution, 1 tbls to 4 cups water. The acid helps balance the ph in their crop and helps digestion. Then give only mash and no free ranging until you see it improve. Regular small amounts of vinegar in their water is good for them.

 

[coach723]

Are the crops like this first thing in the morning, before they have access to food or water? Are they laying currently? If droppings look normal then they aren't blocked, but something can still be slowing things down. That could be parasites, reproductive problems, or other disease based issues. I would not let them free range until you have figured it out, in case they have found something tasty and have gorged on it. Birds will sometimes eat a lot of grit because they are trying to get whatever it is moving. I would also highly recommend the fecal test, that will rule parasites in or out. If that is the issue then worming them would take care of the problem. Parasites will most often NOT be visible in droppings, even if they are there. I would continue with the oil and massages, it can take more than 24 hours sometimes to get things moving, if they are going to.

 

[Mark94]

Are the crops like this first thing in the morning, before they have access to food or water? Are they laying currently? If droppings look normal then they aren't blocked, but something can still be slowing things down. That could be parasites, reproductive problems, or other disease based issues. I would not let them free range until you have figured it out, in case they have found something tasty and have gorged on it. Birds will sometimes eat a lot of grit because they are trying to get whatever it is moving. I would also highly recommend the fecal test, that will rule parasites in or out. If that is the issue then worming them would take care of the problem. Parasites will most often NOT be visible in droppings, even if they are there. I would continue with the oil and massages, it can take more than 24 hours sometimes to get things moving, if they are going to.

Yeah, I checked the whole flock this morning before feeding them and 2 of them had a size of a golf ball, really hard and dry lump, it was like filled with grit to the touch. Their coop is on earthy area and they have grit available, so I'm not sure whether they ate it or it was the food from the day before. They act normal, running around, scratching and looking for food. Just didn't want to risk it since I'm still on time. I'll check their crop in the morning again since I didn't feed them today. But my 3rd hen definitely has a sour crop, I gave her only water today, she was looking for food but I didn't give any. I massaged her crop all day long and it was only watery, tried taking it out before bedtime just like the night before when I flushed it out of her, but it didn't want to flush so I'll wait for tomorrow and see if it's gone. God, chickens are so

 

[Cryss]

I suspect 2 of my hens have impacted and 1 for sure sour crop. To impacted ones I gave stiff coconut oil few times and gave a massage to their crop multiple times, it seems it's helping, the hard lump is loosen and there's a lot less than it was. To my hen with sour crop, I massaged her crop multiple times and gave her nothing but water and 1tablespoon of acv, calcium and probiotic diluted in it (available to hens with impacted crop as well). She seems a lot better, she's already moving around all hungry looking for food. Can anyone tell me whether I should feed them today or wait til tomorrow morning before I check their crops again? And what should I feed my 2 hens with impacted crop and one with sour afterwards? Any special diet? I would appreciate any answer
To note, and not sure is it helpful at all, hen with sour crop poop is greenish/mushy with white in it. All 3 of them are super hungry now, especially impacted ones.

Quoted from the @azygous article that I mentioned for you to search:

“
Treatment for sour crop
I advise against trying to make your chicken vomit because it may cause them to aspirate the sour liquid. Besides, it's very unpleasant for your hen, and she may hate you if you do it. (Curiously, most sour crop victims are hens.)

Nystatin is the best treatment for yeast infections, but it requires a prescription. Or you can try to locate medistatin which is for birds and doesn't require a prescription.

The easiest (and cheapest) to obtain yeast treatment, though, is miconazole, found on the women's hygiene shelf in the pharmacy. You can use either the suppositories or the vaginal cream. Measure a quarter inch of suppository or about half an inch of cream and give orally twice a day for seven days. Do not stop treatment before the full seven days are completed or the yeast may return.

You may see different strengths of miconazole, 2% or 4%, and wonder which to get. Either strength is fine. I prefer the 2% cream myself for economic reasons. The treatment with either strength is the same, twice and day for a full seven days.

Following treatment for sour crop, offer plenty of plain fresh water and boiled egg to get the crop operating again. I like to also give a probiotic or Greek yogurt to restore good microbes in crop and intestines.