Days old chick crop busted open

[Chickerella2012]

Eh, you've got to be very, very careful doing that with a bird....
...and this chick doesn't seem to have any problem getting the food past it's beak!

But for future reference:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

I have syringes and tube feeding equipment. That's not the issue. This chick eats just fine. I just don't want it to over eat. But even with water consistency baby parrot feed, it continues to stuff its gullet...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Is the chick pooping at all?

I think I would place the chick on puppy pads to get a good look at what is exiting. Make water available, but withhold food for several hours to see if the crop is emptying. If the chick is gorging itself then I would limit how much food is offered at a time.

Are you syringing baby parrot food into the chick in addition to it eating chick starter?

 

[aart]

What do I do if there's no food being processed, no excrements? Should I reopen the crop and empty, then only watery feed, no feed?

If nothing going thru, I'd euthanize.
Up to you if you want to try to 're-do' the repair, probably nothing to lose, sorry to say.

Wondering if it's stuffing itself points to something 'wrong' internally?

 

[Chickerella2012]

I don't know what's going on. I will however separate it from all others and watch if the baby is pooping. I do not feed. I let it eat. I replaced dry crumble with wet baby parrot feed for everyone. If I don't see fecal matter after a few hrs, I think I'll cull. I can't let it starve to death

 

[Chickerella2012]

If nothing going thru, I'd euthanize.
Up to you if you want to try to 're-do' the repair, probably nothing to lose, sorry to say.

Wondering if it's stuffing itself points to something 'wrong' internally?

It was pooping, eating, drinking fine until the accident. Nothing wrong with it. I think the crop is hanging so low that food won't go through the cropxit. In that case, I will not hesitate to cull.

 

[Sea Wolf]

Do not feed it grit. It is too young. Take any grit away. Do not feed it parrot food. Feed it chick starter crumble that you have wet and soaked so it is soupy. Do not allow it to stuff itself. Small feedings (a tablespoon) every couple of hours. It is possible that you glued the crop to the skin. It may heal, it might not. Small amounts of food are the only thing it should be getting until things work normally. You can soak the food with electrolyte solution if you want.

 

[coach723]

As @Eggcessive pointed out, there are two layers that would need to be repaired separately. The crop itself and the skin over it. I would think that the layers would be really thin on a chick that size. If you glued the skin closed but not the crop, then food will be still leaking from the crop and collecting under the skin, might be why it appears to be hanging low and not emptying. I know the idea probably is not appealing, but if you are not sure you may need to re-open the skin and clean and flush it out and close the crop first to solve the problem. Since the chick is still trying, and you want to save it that may be the best option. Just my thoughts.

 

[Chickerella2012]

All very good recommendations. I will see how it does. If I don't see any poop after at least two hours or three, I will attempt to open it, depending on how easy it will be. I have told hubby to bring me a scalpel and a suture kit. I may attempt closing the crop and then the skin. I will have to learn to do that, can't hurt to save it, may as well try
In any case, I will do what's best. I don't want it to suffer. They'll get soupy chick starter. Although they loved the watery baby parrot feed. Thanks all!

 

[aart]

Sounds like you have good head on your shoulders.
Best of Luck!

 

[Chickerella2012]

Is there ANY way that the internal crop sack can heal shut on its own? Probably not being full of feed right now, but when it's empty? Probably a not so smart question, but I have to ask
TIA