Crop problems?

[cocianna]

Hi, I'm pretty new to the board & chickens, but I have been reading everything I can find on here so I know more about my girls. I have 8, of different breeds, and they were 9 weeks old yesterday. So yesterday I noticed that the Dominique was not as active as usual. She was eating and drinking but wanted to spend more time by herself and under the light. I watched her all day and she just stayed the same. This morning she had a swelling in the crop area that is soft and fluid filled. (or at least that is what is feels like). If you massage it it girgles. I took her to the vet (who is not real up on chickens) and he thought that it was her crop. He couldn't find anything that felt solid or rigid and said to wait and see if it resolves itself since it is so soft. He also said to let her continue to eat and stay with the rest of the girls for the next few days to see what happens. Does this sound right? And since it is not hard should I still give here mineral oil? And how serious is this? I am really worried about her. Thanks for all your input.

 

[silkiechicken]

Could it be sour crop? How does her droppings look? So you say her crop was soft and mushy when she got up in the morning? If you withold feed for 12 hours the crop should go away. If not, then it could be a blockage in her gizzard or even the crop really. Do they have access to grit? Mineral oil may help pass it if it is a impaced crop or gizzard

 

[cocianna]

Thanks so much Silkiechicken.. Her poop looks normal & she doesn't have any sour smell. They are on the Purnia Medicated Start and Grow, free choice. (which it says to give until they are 18 weeks old) They also have free choice Chick Grit, crushed granite, I believe. I haven't isolated her yet and taken all food away. Should, I? And if I do what about water? Thanks so much again.

 

[dlhunicorn]

How old are they? If they are only eating the starter then they would not need grit and granite...

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

Food that a chicken swallows first goes into the crop which is a bag at the front of the bird that holds grit and stones. There, food is ground up before going to the stomach. Sometimes stuff gets stuck, or food gets trapped in there and causes an infection. This can be very painful for the bird who will most likely stop eating.

If a chicken's crop becomes hard and food does not digest, if may be because not enough grit was given or the chicken is otherwise sick. Impacted crops occur when food just rots there. Bad bacteria grow, the chicken stops eating, and often dies. If a chicken in not eating, feel the crop on the front chest. If it is full and hard instead of light, bouncy, and full of rocks, then put your fingers on both sides of the chicken's mouth to open it and add a few drops of flaxseed oil sold at health food stores. Then, gently massage the crop. Do this for a week or until things get better.

We feed our chickens mainly a rice diet mixed with ground flaxseed, crumbles, and vegetables they also free-range. I have never experienced a chicken with a impacted crop yet I believe diet plays a big role in this.

 

[Pine Grove]

Barnyard Dawg, I respectfully disagree. The crop is used for storing food only, Food empties from the crop into the proventriculus(glandular stomach). then on to the gizzard where grinding and some digestion of the food occurs.
The two main causes of impacted crop/gizzard are hand feeding grass clippings, By either them being to long or chickens gorging themselfs. And by birds being starved for grit, When they do get it they gorge out on it..I feed sprouted oat grass at least 4 times a week, making sure it is no longer than 1/2 inch long, never had any problems..I would do like Silkiechicken suggested and withhold her feed and see what happens..Sometimes they can become stressed and not empty their food as usual. Weather can play a role also

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

Quote:
That is your right what a boring place this would be if we all agreed and knew everything lol.

PoutryHelp.com states, the crop may occasionally become impacted when feed is withheld prior to worming, causing chickens to eat too much afterwards. Crops may also get packed when birds are free ranged where little is available to eat but tough, fibrous vegetation. Even if the bird continues to eat nutrition cannot get through. The swollen crop may cut off the windpipe, suffocating the bird. Crop impaction is not likely to occur in properly fed birds.

My pet chicken states, A part of the esophagus where food is digested and softened before it enters the stomach.
Maybe we can agree this is where the problems starts? in the crop?

 

[cocianna]

Thanks so much everyone. She is resting comfortably for tonight and I will check her first thing in the morning to see if the crop goes down any at night. She doesn't appear to be in any distress right now. When I tried to massage it this evening I actually pushed some of the content right out her mouth. I didn't know if it was good to do that or not....Anyone with any other ideas, please post. Thanks again.