Hard Enlarged Crop

[kms13]

Hi Chicken Whisperers,

I have a couple of girls with enlarged crops. I’ll post them separately. My gray girl seems to be loosing weight despite eating and drinking. Her crop is large and very hard. I massaged it yesterday for about 15 minutes with no movement or reduction in size.

She seemed to have trouble walking a few weeks ago so isolated her in the event she had a leg injury. She was eating and drinking normally during that period. She’s walking almost perfectly now but she does retire to the coop early and sits a lot. She seems a bit pale as well. Her droppings are liquid. No mites or lice. Could it be worms? She’s 2 and I’ve not dewormed yet but looking into that now. I don’t want a Merck/ big pharma product but a more natural brand which doesn’t effect their eggs. Would really appreciate your knowledge and insight! Thank you I’m advance!

 

[Hay-Hay]

Is there anything that it could of eaten that would cause that. If so provide lots of water and massage her crop even more. If last for days and gets even harder, you may have to remove it surgically. Hope this helps and good luck with your chicken.

 

[nuthatched]

Unfortunately, there's no natural dewormer that are remotely effective.
Worming will likely help but there could be other reasons.
What's her diet? When the last time she laid? Does she have access to grit?

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

Give her coconut oil through a dropper and massage her crop for short, frequent intervals of around 15 seconds.

 

[Eggcessive]

Coconut oil is solid, so most people chill it slightly and cut it into small pieces to peck at. Offer 1-2 tsp of that twice a day. Have water available at at times. If crop is hard massage it several times a day. Worms are one possible reason for crop impaction, while a reproductive infection, gizzard issue, cancer or water belly can be other reasons. A vet could run a fecal float to rule out worms identify the kinds. Salpingitis and egg yolk peritonitis are fairly common reproductive disorders. It can be common for them to prefer sitting, or walk like a penguin or more upright, or to separate from others. Many times we cannot know exactly the cause for impacted crops until a necropsy can be done after death. People and kids get worms as well, and Valbazen (albendazole) which is used in cattle and people, can be used with chickens. SafeGuard liquid goat wormer is another one used to treat most worms, and your vet would probably recommend that.