My year old RIR, Billie Jean has had crop issues for a little over a month now.
I've had her in her own crate outside during the day (no access to any dirt etc- only the much and water I've provided. At night I bring her in and she sleeps in a box with some water.
At first I was doing apple cider vinegar in her water & mushy food, then noticed her crop getting even more rotten. I had been giving her plain probiotic yogurt and it just seemed to be rotting in her crop until I helped her vomit it out by holding her forward. I've tried crop massage after oil in her food, baking soda in her food and water. Last Friday I found a feed store that sold antibiotics and I've been adding them to her water. I feel as if I have truly tried everything.
Yesterday I noticed a tremendous amount (compared to what it has been) of what I thought was poop in her crate. Today, I started really watching her and sure enough, it's not poop. Her food is going in her crop and then shes vomiting it out.
Finally, I have convinced my husband to assist me in doing the crop surgery. I have a feeling she might be too far gone but I feel like I have to try.
Poor girl- she is ravenous, of course! It seems like nothing is getting through to her stomach.
Here is the confusing part to me- when her crop is empty, it really feels empty. Could there be a blockage I just can't feel externally?
I am going to head out soon and pick up some betadine and some gloves. I planned to close her crop by rolling it inwards on a thin line of superglue and then the same with her outer skin.
From others' experience, is it better to make the incision side to side or up and down? And how thick can I expect the skin to be? How thick is the crop tissue?
From reading this, do you think my hen's system is starting to shut down and the crop surgery is pointless?
I've had her in her own crate outside during the day (no access to any dirt etc- only the much and water I've provided. At night I bring her in and she sleeps in a box with some water.
At first I was doing apple cider vinegar in her water & mushy food, then noticed her crop getting even more rotten. I had been giving her plain probiotic yogurt and it just seemed to be rotting in her crop until I helped her vomit it out by holding her forward. I've tried crop massage after oil in her food, baking soda in her food and water. Last Friday I found a feed store that sold antibiotics and I've been adding them to her water. I feel as if I have truly tried everything.
Yesterday I noticed a tremendous amount (compared to what it has been) of what I thought was poop in her crate. Today, I started really watching her and sure enough, it's not poop. Her food is going in her crop and then shes vomiting it out.
Finally, I have convinced my husband to assist me in doing the crop surgery. I have a feeling she might be too far gone but I feel like I have to try.
Poor girl- she is ravenous, of course! It seems like nothing is getting through to her stomach.
Here is the confusing part to me- when her crop is empty, it really feels empty. Could there be a blockage I just can't feel externally?
I am going to head out soon and pick up some betadine and some gloves. I planned to close her crop by rolling it inwards on a thin line of superglue and then the same with her outer skin.
From others' experience, is it better to make the incision side to side or up and down? And how thick can I expect the skin to be? How thick is the crop tissue?
From reading this, do you think my hen's system is starting to shut down and the crop surgery is pointless?