Does this look familiar to anyone

[Wyorp Rock]

Her crop was not fully empty this morning and after reading the links posted here I'm almost sure she has pendulous crop. She has been like this for almost 2 years now and she does gorge. I can purchase the acidfied copper sulfate tomorrow so I will start there and then she might need the bra. I was thinking maybe the bra with a change of diet for a short period of time less feed and just adding some organ meats. I could be completely wrong here but just from my own experience as a human organ meats are nutrient dense without the effect of distending the gut like grains but of course hens are not the same. Just thinking she would need less food with the nutrient density being so much higher.

Any thoughts.................maybe an experiment for a few weeks with a very small amount of fermented grains............thanks,

Of course over the years I have had hens expire which is not easy but I always like to try. I actually had a hen recently that I was sure passed. I brought her in the house and then one day she just flapped her wings, rolled over on her side feet up in the air gasped and closed her eyes. She wasn't completely gone but almost there. I decided to pick her up and put her in my lap until she passed but she sat there and somehow managed to stay alive. I immediately gave her antibiotics and the next 3 days were touch and go and you could hear her coughing and gasping for breath but she made it so always good to try.

This is my thoughts, @TwoCrows may have a different opinion.

Try the acidified copper sulfate along with the instructions in her article on treating a slow crop (https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/impacted-slow-and-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments)
Feed her normal poultry feed wet. A drastic change in diet could make things worse.

Once you see how she responds to treatment and help from a crop bra, then slowly change her diet if this is what you want to do when she gets better. Organ meat is a fine way to add extra protein to the diet, this may eventually help her feel more satisfied, but as a sole source of nutrition it would not be practical. Poultry feeds are nutritionally balanced, so adding meat(s) would be in addition to her normal feed. Some other things to give when she is better would be hard boiled eggs, tuna, mackerel, sardines and fresh leafy greens (kale, mustard, etc.). Fruit like apple or grapes are a favorite for mine as well. Making sure she has a source of grit would be essential as well. Some chicken keepers let their birds find the grit in the soil which is fine, but I prefer to make purchased poultry grit (crushed granite) available free choice as well.

Again, you may be right that she may eat less when extra protein is introduced. I feed an 20% protein Flock Raiser formula, they don't seem to eat as much feed as what I see reported that chickens on layer feed (16%) eat. But I haven't really sat down and "crunched the numbers" on food consumption. I do give other things (fruits/veggies, etc.) most days as well.

There is no harm in trying to correct this. She does seem to be in good spirits

I hope you see improvement soon, please keep us posted and thank you for the wonderful videos, they help alot!

 

[TwoCrows]

Quote: As for changing her diet, it never hurts to add extras if a bird is lacking in protein, greens or needs more calcium. However a pendulous crop stems from an old case of sour crop that never healed. The crop became more and more stretched and has lost its ability to push all the food out of itself. Left over food in the crop grows yeasts and bacteria and the crop gets slower and slower. Meanwhile it stretches further.

If a sagging crop is caught early enough, they can repair themselves, however if this has been on going for more than a year, there is probably no hope of the crop returning to it's youthful self. And eating less food so as to not over stretch it further will not fix the stretched out tissues unfortunately.

 

[chitownhens]

Wyorp Rock and Two Crows thank you for taking the time to give me these detailed responses I do appreciate it. Of course what your are saying makes complete sense and changing her diet or reducing the food amount is not going to make a difference if the crop is not working properly. I needed someone to explain that to me.

Just want her to be happy mostly towards the end of the day when that full crop seems to be impeding her ability to get around. She has the energy and will jump into any bowl but watching her bounce around is stressful.

I will take the advice with the acidified copper sulfate and then try the bra and see how she manages. I have tried peepers on a few of the other birds last year but could bear to see them so stressed out and had to remove them. Eventually a couple of flock blocks helped with that issue.

Hopefully this one can manage with the bra. She is at the bottom of the pecking order and very easy going so that might help not sure yet.

I will update and let you know how things go………thank you.

 

[TwoCrows]

The lowest in the order birds often have some sort of health issues if they arent watched over to some degree. They can get bullied away from food and water, roosting, etc... and it is very important in all larger flocks to put out several food and water stations, more nesting areas, etc... Anytime they arent getting proper sustenance, or are forced to spend time alone sleeping etc...they are open to pathogens of many kinds if the immune system weakens.

Good luck with her! I have a friend with a bird that has a pendulous crop and the bird has done well for years in a crop bra. With proper care, they can do just fine.

Make sure to follow the instructions on useing the bra so she doesnt get tangled in it. I have never had an issue using them. If you have questions putting it on her, let me know and I will help you get her fitted.

Keep us posted!

 

[chitownhens]

I think we all know our hens fairly well being with them on a daily basis and this one I have had for at least 5 years.I don't find her to be distressed at all and actually she has very good energy.

I made a video about a week ago on hens and organ meats I'm sure not everyone is going to agree with my opinion but thats not the point. She is first hen that jumps in and she is in the middle of the bowl and she comes back. She is not distressed or suffering if she was I certainly would not want to prolong it. She is a fairly quiet hen just her personality in fact most of my Red Stars are the same. She gets along with her group very well. I think maybe you are misreading it. Whenever I have brought her inside she is exceptionally quiet.

.

 

[TwoCrows]

I think she will be ok if you get her into a bra and address the yeasty crop. As long as she has the spunk to eat, groom and still has that spark in her eyes, there is always hope of healing.

And as for the Copper Sulfate: 1/4 teaspoon Copper Sulfate per gallon of water. You can treat the entire flock if you don't separate her, it will clean them out as well. Change and make a new batch daily. Use it for 6 or 7 days. And always use probiotics for a few days after because the Copper Sulfate will strip all of the good bacteria and digestive yeasts from her digestive tract.

 

[chitownhens]

Quote:
Yes she has plenty of spunk. Grooms herself and others, the biggest eater of the bunch and will easily jump to snatch food out of my hand. I will separate her and I have plenty of probiotics on hand to replenish her gut bacteria..............thanks

 

[chitownhens]

She came into today to start her treatment which I will pick up this morning. She also had to climb a set of stairs to get here but she is all excited

I take all advice as well intended and coming from the heart.

 

[TwoCrows]

What a cutie pie!

Keep us posted on her progress and definitely get her into a bra. It will greatly with keeping yeast out of her crop in the future and keeping food moving through her at a constant rate.

After treatments and the use of probiotics, I would also add a good supplement to her diet. Yeasty crops can drain the system of nutrients.

Good luck with her!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She came into today to start her treatment which I will pick up this morning. She also had to climb a set of stairs to get here but she is all excited

I take all advice as well intended and coming from the heart.

Haha! How cute - she worked for that handout!

Please do keep us posted on her progress, I hope she gets better soon