Doughy crop issue

[MandS]

As I've massaged today, I've noticed the lump is more or less gone, or at least appears to be. Every now and then, her crop muscles tighten, which seems a good sign. She is preening more and definitely comes out for food, although she will not touch the coconut oil anymore.

However, I've noticed her keel bone is very prominent and there is no breast meat either side of it, so she's very thin.

I've given her a teaspoon of tuna and intend to repeat this for the next 5 days. Is there anything else I can do that will build up her body mass?

It makes me think that this has been going on a while. She's not a big bird in the least but it is very clear that she is thin and underweight.

Also, she hasn't laid an egg now for over a week. I'm not too concerned about that because she's not been well buti doubt her being very underweight has helped. As I said, it's only a week since she laid her last egg and she is an irregular layer anyway.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would continue as you are doing.
She may benefit from poultry vitamins a couple of times a week. Tuna or Egg are good protein treats to give.

The poop being thin, she may have a blockage or inflammation. It's not uncommon for crop symptoms to appear when there's another underlying condition.

I'm glad it's emptying more and you're making progress. It can be frustrating, but you're doing good.

 

[MandS]

Thank you.

This morning the lump was small but still there and it is almost tear shaped as it has been moulded by the muscles in her crop.

She's got up, eaten with some gusto and done some small poops. However she's now just standing around again.

I guess it's just going to take time. I've not seen her straining to lay or anything. Her cloaca isn't pulsating and her stance, when not just standing around, is normal. I may try a warm bath in case but I'm still not sure it's internal laying or being egg bound.

She's a bit more subdued today.

Will give some scrambled egg and tuna later. In the meantime, just very watery mash to get liquid into her in the absence of the oil. Will massage more frequently today. I only did it twice yesterday as it seemed to be going well. Each massage is about 10 to 15 mins.

Good job I'm working from home!

 

[MandS]

Good news.

The lump has gone and her crop was completely flat this morning. She got up, and went straight for the pellets as she would normally do, and ate for ages.

So, hopefully if people find this post in the future and are having similar issues, there could be useful things to help them.

I've learned:

Massage is really important with doughy crop. Gentle round motions, not pushing the mass upwards, but moving in circles just above the bottom of the crop. At first I held one finger underneath the bottom of the crop to push it up slightly so I was massaging the mass all over and not just the top of it.

Coconut oil did make a difference. I would give that before the massage. As I didn't want to syringe water into her and she would still eat, I just made very watery mash. Once she'd had this, after about 5 to 10 mins, I'd start the massage.

Each massage was about 10 to 15 minutes in duration. She was comfortable throughout and didn't fight to get away.

Her poop was almost nonexistent at first but then gradually came back as little pencil thin poops but got bigger and more normal the further into treatment she went.

It took almost a week, certainly 5 days, so don't be discouraged if you don't see immediate improvements - just keep going.

I didn't give any treats. I did give some tuna (about a teaspoon per day) as she had got quite thin. The tuna is in water, not brine, so salt levels are low.

Check the crop first thing and see if there is progress. If there's anything in the crop in the morning, continue with the above treatment.

I started with 4 massages per day but reduced as the lump got smaller. At the end, it was one decent massage because I could tell the lump was breaking up and there was no point in doing another massage that day.

Hope this helps someone else.

Thanks to Wyorp Rock!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It is good news!
I'm glad to hear her crop is empty this morning.
Thank you for the informative update as well. I'm sure it will be helpful to those reading your thread in the future.

 

[Eggs2chicks]

The lump is still there but again much smaller, so it would appear that the massages are working but, as you've said, it can take time.

She was lively this morning - even scratching for food. There was also a lot more poop where she's been sleeping, so things are getting through, even if it isn't the usual large lumps. It isn't runny which I think is also good, just thin like a pencil.

So I will continue with the coconut oil, wet mash and massages. Basically, what this is proving to me is that there isn't necessarily a quick fix and it is going to take time and patience. However, so far, so good.

I am curious. How is your girl doing???

 

[MandS]

Thanks for asking!

She's absolutely as normal. Crop empties every night. Poop is normal sized. She's not started laying again but she's a sporadic layer anyway.

Hopefully she will go on for many more years. I'll keep an eye on her but so far, she's just back to normal.

Thanks again for asking after her.

 

[GossChicks]

Good news.

The lump has gone and her crop was completely flat this morning. She got up, and went straight for the pellets as she would normally do, and ate for ages.

So, hopefully if people find this post in the future and are having similar issues, there could be useful things to help them.

I've learned:

Massage is really important with doughy crop. Gentle round motions, not pushing the mass upwards, but moving in circles just above the bottom of the crop. At first I held one finger underneath the bottom of the crop to push it up slightly so I was massaging the mass all over and not just the top of it.

Coconut oil did make a difference. I would give that before the massage. As I didn't want to syringe water into her and she would still eat, I just made very watery mash. Once she'd had this, after about 5 to 10 mins, I'd start the massage.

Each massage was about 10 to 15 minutes in duration. She was comfortable throughout and didn't fight to get away.

Her poop was almost nonexistent at first but then gradually came back as little pencil thin poops but got bigger and more normal the further into treatment she went.

It took almost a week, certainly 5 days, so don't be discouraged if you don't see immediate improvements - just keep going.

I didn't give any treats. I did give some tuna (about a teaspoon per day) as she had got quite thin. The tuna is in water, not brine, so salt levels are low.

Check the crop first thing and see if there is progress. If there's anything in the crop in the morning, continue with the above treatment.

I started with 4 massages per day but reduced as the lump got smaller. At the end, it was one decent massage because I could tell the lump was breaking up and there was no point in doing another massage that day.

Hope this helps someone else.

Thanks to Wyorp Rock!

Thank you. I just wanted to add a little something to that. I have a lavender orpington, which I love, who has pendulous crop issues, sometimes it turns into sour crop. I have noticed that when roosting, her crop hangs down over the roost; so I've been bringing her in at night, so she can lay flat and push that crop up a bit while sleeping--she doesn't tolerate a crop bra! I've been working with her for a month now, and she seems to be losing weight (which think was mostly fluid anyway) and feeling better.

 

[MandS]

Thank you. I just wanted to add a little something to that. I have a lavender orpington, which I love, who has pendulous crop issues, sometimes it turns into sour crop. I have noticed that when roosting, her crop hangs down over the roost; so I've been bringing her in at night, so she can lay flat and push that crop up a bit while sleeping--she doesn't tolerate a crop bra! I've been working with her for a month now, and she seems to be losing weight (which think was mostly fluid anyway) and feeling better.

Strangely, this didn't tell me there was a reply, so only saw it today.

I've just posted another question about her. She's doing fine but since the crop issue hasn't laid an egg with a shell, yet she's laying daily.

Similarly, her issue is weight loss but mainly because she's eating her egg and then isn't hungry, so I'm guessing each successive egg will have less and less nutritional value.

I'm giving her tuna and sunflower seeds. Also mash, which I'm sprinkling Tums onto.

Good luck with your girl. She sounds as though she's in excellent hands! And thank you for the photos and message.