Crop question- impacted, sour crop or something else entirely?

[BackItUp.PlayItSlow]

The skin and muscles that hold and empty the crop become stretched. This makes it harder if not impossible for the crop to empty leading to other issues.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/eleanors-story-living-with-a-pendulous-crop.66318/

Thank you! I’ll withhold food for another day and see if I can make something like this!

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Sometimes a bra is needed short term. Something like an old t-shirt fashioned to hold up her crop could work. Something with a little stretch but not too much.
If it's a prolonged problem I would then worry about making something more permanent and reusable.

 

[BackItUp.PlayItSlow]

Sometimes a bra is needed short term. Something like an old t-shirt fashioned to hold up her crop could work. Something with a little stretch but not too much.
If it's a prolonged problem I would then worry about making something more permanent and reusable.

Thank you! I think I’m going to try to make this. I’ll keep her off feed for a day as well. Should I keep her from grazing as well? They have an automatic door to their run. I can separate her completely but I was hoping to not have to since she’s never apart from her hatch mates- don’t want her to be lonely.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

You know her best. If it’s going to stress her to be away I’d try the bra and leave her be foraging. If that doesn’t help then separation may be needed to get her crop moving.
If it’s just slow and not sour you can give her some oil and massage her crop. I have virgin coconut oil on hand and they will usually just eat a clump. It melts quick so be prepared to wear some. LOL
You want to keep her hydrated to get her crop moving. But I don’t think some bugs and seeds will fill her up. Keep her away from long grass or anything else she might eat that will tangle together.
Again the idea is keep the crop moving. I don’t want to alarm you have you prepared... depending on what’s in her crop and how backed up it is massaging it may make her vomit. Think of her as an infant. They don’t know what to do what strange fluid comes back on them. If she were to vomit tip her head down and butt up. Not vertical persay but enough to have gravity help. They can aspirate vomit rather easily. If she does throw up, you’ll know if her crop is sour. The smell is not pleasant and not one you’ll forget.
Just don’t want you surprised.

 

[BackItUp.PlayItSlow]

You know her best. If it’s going to stress her to be away I’d try the bra and leave her be foraging. If that doesn’t help then separation may be needed to get her crop moving.
If it’s just slow and not sour you can give her some oil and massage her crop. I have virgin coconut oil on hand and they will usually just eat a clump. It melts quick so be prepared to wear some. LOL
You want to keep her hydrated to get her crop moving. But I don’t think some bugs and seeds will fill her up. Keep her away from long grass or anything else she might eat that will tangle together.
Again the idea is keep the crop moving. I don’t want to alarm you have you prepared... depending on what’s in her crop and how backed up it is massaging it may make her vomit. Think of her as an infant. They don’t know what to do what strange fluid comes back on them. If she were to vomit tip her head down and butt up. Not vertical persay but enough to have gravity help. They can aspirate vomit rather easily. If she does throw up, you’ll know if her crop is sour. The smell is not pleasant and not one you’ll forget.
Just don’t want you surprised.

Thank you so much! Only a year into this and I’m constantly surprised by the things I’ll do for these goofballs. I gave them all coconut oil yesterday, and I’ll try massaging her crop a few times throughout the day tomorrow again.

The size is going down as the day goes on, but it’s still squishy. She is pooping normally and still laying, so I don’t want to upset her too much ‍

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Thank you so much! Only a year into this and I’m constantly surprised by the things I’ll do for these goofballs. I gave them all coconut oil yesterday, and I’ll try massaging her crop a few times throughout the day tomorrow again.

The size is going down as the day goes on, but it’s still squishy. She is pooping normally and still laying, so I don’t want to upset her too much ‍

You really know her best! I had a hen with a fairly nasty injury that everyone said I needed to separate her and keep her separate. She was freaking out away from the flock! So I did treatment 2x a day and bandaged her so she could stay with them. The wound may have taken a little longer to heal but maybe not... she was definitely happier and that's what mattered to me.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Just poking in here to say be really really careful if she does vomit and you hold her with her head down. Only ever do this for a couple of seconds (2) or she could easily choke. Let her get her breath back then by holding her right way up.
It's very common so just be aware.

 

[BackItUp.PlayItSlow]

Just poking in here to say be really really careful if she does vomit and you hold her with her head down. Only ever do this for a couple of seconds (2) or she could easily choke. Let her get her breath back then by holding her right way up.
It's very common so just be aware.

Thanks!
I withheld feed for 2 days, and massaged her crop. She did vomit once, it was mostly water. Her crop seems to be mostly empty. I gave everyone yogurt today, and put some apple cider into the water. If it looks puffy again tomorrow I’ll look into options for a bra or medicine for sour crop.