Emergency need help ASAP

[AnimalmomSarah]

Came out to find my blk copper maran in rough condition. Her crop is very large and hard. Her waddles and comb are purplish (normally red). She also has diarrhea or a crushed egg on her bottom? I need help figuring out what’s going on here. Can she be saved? I’m fairly new at this... she’s not even a year and she was my first batch of chicks. Uploading pictures. I found her by herself sleeping in the middle of the barn yard.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings AnimalmomSarah,

From what you have described, your chicken has an impacted crop. This means there is food stuff: grass, seeds, etc., which has not passed into the stomach. Instead the food has been compressing in the crop pouch. Now, the contents are hardened. Some chickens will also drink water excessively, to try and move the food along. Diarrhea is common, and has a lot of water in it.

The chicken will die without medical intervention. If you don't feel confident to treat on your own, you'll need to seek the help of a veterinarian. Otherwise, here is what you have to do.

Treatment:
You must manually move the crop contents along, clearing the crop.

1. Isolate the hen, in a warm and safe place where you can monitor, treat and provide supportive care. A dog crate works well for this, or a large box or tub. You should use puppy pads (unscented), paper towels, a mat, or a towel on the floor, to monitor the poop.

2. Withhold all food, until the crop has been completely cleared. Provide fresh water.

3. I am assuming you don't have any Lactulose or antifungal at home. But, you will need to administer at least some warm water. (You will have to take care not to aspirate the chicken. You don't want the water to get into the airway!) Then, gently but firmly massage the crop to loosen the contents. This will have to be done 3, or more times today, to get things going.

Some keepers like to use only oil, and massage the crop to try and move out the contents.

I use Lactulose to break up the condensed food, and get the digestive system moving. Nystatin (antifungal), is used for yeast control. Gentle massage, to loosen and break up the food. About 5 ml. of warm water with melted coconut oil, to moisten the food, and lubricate the crop.

Clearing the crop will be a process of moistening, and massaging. Success will depend on how long the chicken has been like this, and if she is close to death already.
Sometimes the crop is so impacted with fibrous stuff like straw, long grasses and feed, that the impaction can only be cleared by surgery. So far, I have not had a chicken that has required this.

These are my thoughts on your chicken's health problem. I hope I have been helpful.

God Bless

 

[AnimalmomSarah]

Thank you so much for your advice! Hopefully this helps. She’s such a sweet girl.