Doughy crop - alternatives to syringe feeding?

[serenden]

Blackberry is a 27 month old laying hen, and my young son's favorite! She has a doughy-feeling crop.
I tried syringe feeding based on the ingredients in this post:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ntion-and-treatments-of-crop-disorders.67194/

But it was a total mess and I probably squirted half of it on myself. I'm thinking for the next 2 times today I'd mash up some other feed into the doughy crop formula and see if she'll eat it that way and get it into her crop to break down the doughy stuff. Has anyone tried this? Can you think of any issues trying it this way?

Otherwise, how in the heck do you get a chicken to open their mouth without squirming away from you, to get a syringe in their beak?!
I would rather not try to learn tube feeding right now. She has an appetite, and is quite active!

Other information:
She's laying eggs almost every day, and eating (a lot actually). Her poo has been very watery at times, always dark/dark green. But I've also happened to notice that on hot days. This morning it's a bit squishy but otherwise normal looking.

I recently had to switch feed because we ran out and my local supply store ran out as well. We went from Scratch and Peck (whole grain) to Dumor Organic Crumbles, and while there was some leftover Scratch and Peck feed in the feeder when I added the Dumor, it wasn't an optimal or slow switch.

I have another hen with a squishy (not doughy) crop, but 2 others are fine. So the feed switch could be a culprit.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Did you need help with this thread too or did get enough info from the other thread that you have?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/doughy-crop-alternatives-to-syringe-feeding.1495967/

 

[Banana01]

I would add tube feeding is not ever necessary. Maybe easier to a seasoned pro to tube feed, but totally unneccesary.

Some chickens fight hard, other seem like they are working with you. If you are sitting down with the chicken perched on your leg, with your arm around him loosely, secure the head and open the beak with thumb and index finger on one hand, i use my left and feed with my right. You can secure his head against your body if need be. You want to open his beak and stick your index finger inside his mouth so he can't close it, but he can still breathe. Hold your finger there until he is relaxed. Once he realizes your finger is in the tip of his beak and you are holding his head firm, he will just sort of sigh and resign the fight. I think the key is to secure his head and get your finger in his beak, then wait till he is calm to deliver the syringe in the beak. My chickens love getting their medicine now, but sometimes i have to use my right hand to help open the beak, but the finger in the beak prevents them from closing it until they calm down and relax. Hold them firm.

 

[serenden]

Did you need help with this thread too or did get enough info from the other thread that you have?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/doughy-crop-alternatives-to-syringe-feeding.1495967/

Oh, I didn't realize it posted twice! But the link in your comment goes back to this same post. Strange!

 

[serenden]

I would add tube feeding is not ever necessary. Maybe easier to a seasoned pro to tube feed, but totally unneccesary.

Some chickens fight hard, other seem like they are working with you. If you are sitting down with the chicken perched on your leg, with your arm around him loosely, secure the head and open the beak with thumb and index finger on one hand, i use my left and feed with my right. You can secure his head against your body if need be. You want to open his beak and stick your index finger inside his mouth so he can't close it, but he can still breathe. Hold your finger there until he is relaxed. Once he realizes your finger is in the tip of his beak and you are holding his head firm, he will just sort of sigh and resign the fight. I think the key is to secure his head and get your finger in his beak, then wait till he is calm to deliver the syringe in the beak. My chickens love getting their medicine now, but sometimes i have to use my right hand to help open the beak, but the finger in the beak prevents them from closing it until they calm down and relax. Hold them firm.

Okay thank you! I attempted twice more today and was a bit more successful each time. Especially with having my shoulder just above her head to limit upward movement. It's a skill for sure!

 

[Banana01]

Okay thank you! I attempted twice more today and was a bit more successful each time. Especially with having my shoulder just above her head to limit upward movement. It's a skill for sure!

For sure with time experience will make it second nature. Hold the head firm and they will calm as well when they realize they can't win. It's still a gentle process for them, openong the beak can be the hardest part sometimes.

 

[Pollito Pelon]

Sit on the floor and place the chicken next to your leg and wrap the other around this way you have two arms free.
This is how I do it and how it works for me.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Oh, I didn't realize it posted twice! But the link in your comment goes back to this same post. Strange!

That's because I didn't link the correct thread LOL
Here's your other thread where you are getting a lot of good info
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-a-likely-pendulous-crop-maybe.1495942/page-2

 

[serenden]

Sit on the floor and place the chicken next to your leg and wrap the other around this way you have two arms free.
This is how I do it and how it works for me.

I wouldn't have thought to do it like that, thanks!

 

[serenden]

That's because I didn't link the correct thread LOL
Here's your other thread where you are getting a lot of good info
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-a-likely-pendulous-crop-maybe.1495942/page-2

Ah - that's a second post about another one of my chickens - I decided to post one for each since they seem to have different issues.