Crop Surgery Performed - More pics & How To Steps posted - Pg 10

[pluscwc]

Vicegrip,
Our girl is back to having an overstretched crop. She wouldn't leave the crop bra alone and neither would her sisters. I think she'll get culled soon if she doesn't show signs of improvement.

Hope your second surgery went well. I think the only way to stop the hay eating would be to eliminate the hay.

Good luck.

 

[vicegrip]

Second surgery went well. The whole coop (26 chickens) is full of hay and we have her in a separate area, separated with chicken wire with all the hay out of her area.
Still not out of the woods, but no reason to believe a problem exists.

Is your girls crop just saggy or is it full? If it is just saggy, I think a lot of chickens have that problem. If it's full again and not moving, I would try a second surgery if she is strong enough. We did the second incision in a different spot. Second surgery was much different because the crop was not as full, therefore there wasnt as much to push against with the scalpel, making the cut more difficult. I was insecure about whether I was cutting the correct thing. If you do it make sure you feel the whole crop before the cut so you know what you are cutting into and exactly where you want to cut. I must have cut into a blood clot that formed from the last surgery, and I freaked out thinking I was cutting something I shouldnt be.

Also make sure you rinse it out with saline solution. I think it helps to keep things moving.

Just my opinion for what its worth.
Best luck with you girl.

 

[lisababes]

Everyone on BYC makes this crop surgery sound so straightforward, and I was convinced it would be no problem, as I deal with medical type stuff at work (and had the goods to do it sterile and properly). My favorite BO had been plugged for a couple weeks and no amount of massaging or oil was moving the sizable ball of junk in her crop, and I finally decided to take this last resort.

She died right as we began, before I even got through to her crop. I have no idea how your chickens just lay there and take it. Mine wanted out and kept squirming off and on. And this was my friendliest sweetest chicken. We had a black sock over her head, wrapped her in a towel and had two people holding her. I feel terrible, I really thought this would work out well. I know she would have continued to starve to death had we left her, but I dont know how you guys kept your chickens calm. I wonder if she had a heart attack or something.

I actually completed the surgery on the slim chance she was in shock, not dead, and doing the actual surgery was fine (once she wasn't squirming). By the time I finished stitching she was obviously gone as she started getting a little stiff. There was a TON of crap in her crop, it smelled TERRIBLE, and it was much more moist than many of these hay-looking-photos. Lots of grass, a few wood chips and much organic/moist stuff.

I wish she could've just laid there. Unfortunately I'd be hesitant to do this again if another one gets clogged up.

 

[NewHobbyForMe]

It sounds like you did a great job, and your right she would of starved. I only had this happen one time and that was enough. My girl died too, but I was so worried about it before I did something that when she died I was actually ok with it, cause I knew she was dying slowly. I think the person who held her down may have been holding too tight. If I ever have to do it again, I think I will hold her and have someone else make the cut. I truely think I could and would do it again, before I let them starve.

I'm sorry for your lost, it is never easy.

 

[speckledhen]

Again, we're faced with this. One of my blue Orps, Smoky, has an impacted crop. Hers has always been pendulous, but again, she's in her molt and the molt is when these crop issues always seem to happen. It's huge and yesterday, was at least pliable. Today, after spending the night without food, it's very hard and even seems worse. She may die, but she's starving anyway. Gosh, I hate this! Hope it's not too late and she can make it. I have only two blue Orp hens as it is. She has produced many beautiful chicks for me and others and deserves better than this. I do find the Orps are much more prone to this issue than other breeds. Have lost two other blue Orps to crop stasis or sour crop during molt.

 

[lisababes]

Speckled Hen - My bird was also an Orp. I was wondering if maybe the relationship of molting and crop stasis is inverse of what we think. That the crop stasis causes the molt. I was reading about commercial operations and they force a molt (so it all gets done at once) by witholding food. I almost wonder if the clogged crop and subsequent malnutrition cause the molt to begin... Don't really know though, just know for sure the two are related some how.

NewHobbyForMe - I agree with you, I think my assistant was holding the hen too hard. I almost wonder if he was holding her head down and she aspriated or something. She obviously didn't die from the surgery itself because we'd hardly started. This completely breaks my heart if it is the case, because otherwise, the surgery might have gone off ok. (?) Agreed, Next time *I* will be the one calming and then holding the chicken. And also, my surgery team might be all female...

**So, My advice is to anyone trying this is to Hold the birds body (wings and feet) firmly, but maybe let the head do its own thing (but have the head covered so they think its dark). Maybe hold the "shoulders" if anything. The bird has to be able to breathe and regulate on its own. I would avoid holding the head down.** I see some photos a couple pages up on this thread where the bird is almost watching! (amazing)

I still need advice on having a calm bird when the head is covered, though...
I miss my sweet Scarlet, she was the nicest gentlest girl. No more lap-chicken, my others are afraid of us.

 

[NewHobbyForMe]

If there is anything I've learned in raising chickens, is that the favorites always died for some reason.
One of my favorites, a BO that I had in the house for 3 weeks over Christmas, sick from a lack of vitamin E.
Don't know why this cured her, but she started out losing all control of her head and neck. She would not
eat or drink for 2 days. I found information on the problem on this website, where a lady was giving her
chicken Vitamin E along with Polyvisol vitamins, I put both in some warm oatmeal and it cured her completely.

She also went on to lay eggs, and was my best broody hen. Then one day after laying she took off to enjoy
the day and a Fox or Hawk got her. I was sick about it and still I'm on the lookout for what ever got her.

So, now I have my pets but not as much, guess it kinda taught me a listen.

Good luck with all your chickens in the future!

 

[speckledhen]

Can't get cat gut. Just have to use invisible thread and leave the sutures in the crop, darn it. TSC didn't have the dissolvable pre threaded ones, neither did the feed store in town yesterday and times a-wasting with Smoky. So, tonight is her surgery. I really don't want to do this again. Please think good thoughts and send up a few prayers for my girl.

 

[AZBootsie]

Quote:
Good thought and healing vibes heading your way for her and you too.

 

[NewHobbyForMe]

Good luck and many prayers Speckledhen: You can do this, I've read your many posts and you will do fine.

Please do post results I will be waiting to hear something.