Doughy crop, worms and moulting

[SandyK]

i have an older EE, 5 or 6 yrs old. I picked her up the other day and noticed her crop was hard. She has always been on the heavy side, so I really did not notice it before. So I started with the oil and water, then went to the Ducolax with Epsom Salt in her water. Still not much coming out after a week. Then I went to lemon juice with the ginger and cinnamon. Still a lot in there after 4 days or so. Now today the acified copper sulfate came in the mail. Started this this evening alone. She is pooping more now than in the beginning but I think I see the white specs like little rice in her poop.

My question is, since she is moulting now, what to do about them. I will have the Backyard Chickens Dewormer tomorrow and they say it is ok to give while moulting. Will this be enough or should I do something different?

Also, should I do anything of the other treatments along with the ACS, or just that?

I have been feeding her 1/2 a scrambled egg in the morning with meal worms crushed into it and she likes that. Offered a little wet crumbles in the evening and she only eats a little. I’m worried since this is going on 2 weeks now that she needs nourishment.

Thanks so much, I am determined to get this sweetie well.

 

[The Phantom]

@casportpony

 

[dawg53]

If you are talking about Zyfend A, it will not treat worms. Nor will DE, VermX, pumpkin seeds etc. The white specks that look like rice in feces are tapeworm segments. You'll need to purchase Equimax equine paste wormer at a feed store and dose your EE orally with a pea size amount of the paste. Repeat in 10 days. It is safe to give the Equimax during molt. There is no need to dose your other birds unless you see rice like segments in feces from your other birds. It would be best to worm your other birds with valbazen or safeguard. There are worms that cant be seen in feces.
For impacted crop or gizzard, give tomato juice frequently via eyedropper. It should get things moving.

 

[SandyK]

Thank you for your reply. I guess their advertising is misleading saying it is a dewormer. I will try to find the one you recommended.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi
Can you just clarify that the things that you are seeing in her poop are not feather sheaths that have been preened off. With her moulting, it is possible that this is what you are seeing. Tapeworm segments will be mobile.... they move almost like little caterpillars. Can you post a photo of her poop with them in it.
Also, as regards the crop problem. Have you examined her abdomen for any swelling or bloat, particularly between her legs and below her vent. Check whilst she is roosting at night by cupping your hand between her legs and compare to adjacent chickens. You say that she is heavy. This can be due to internal laying or ascites. Older hens are prone to reproductive disorders which press on their gut and cause them to get backed up, so a slow/impacted crop in an older bird is often caused by an abdominal issue. Often birds with such abdominal issues will have soiled butt feathers and sometimes walk with a wide stance or more upright and may occasionally show respiratory problems if things are very advanced. I'm just concerned that you are throwing the kitchen sink at her crop and the problem may lie elsewhere since it has not resolved with the treatment you have used so far.

 

[SandyK]

Thank you for your post.

I looked more today and don’t think it’s tape worms. What I saw was tiny white pieces. She has lost a lot of weight going without food for a couple weeks now. Thin lower belly now, so not stomach issues. At least I don’t think. I’ll check again tonight.

Crop is going down, still tennis ball worth of dark green junk in there. I’ve been getting more water down her and massaging more. So she is pooping it out little by little.

Made her a crop bra and I think that is helping.

She hasn’t been wormed in a long time, so I know I need to get all the girls done. Everyone is moulting now.

So today, all I have given her is the ACS water and her 1/2 egg with meal worms and a little bowl of crumbles which she only ate a little of. Worried she needs food because of her weight loss.

Don’t know if I should have kept up the Ducolax and lemon juice with cinnamon and ginger or not.

What else should I feed her that would be easily digested and not add to the problem but give her nutrition?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.