Help! Pendulous crop issue!

[ashaedo]

This is the first crop issue I've come across in my young flock, this is my first flock that I've raised and I didn't know what I was facing at the moment. One of my ameraucana hens, Momo, was visibly having problems with her crop, I first thought sour crop as I've seen the nasty liquid come out of her beak when she would bend her head down. So I attempted to treat her sour crop by emptying it via massaging her crop and holding her almost upside down letting the liquid out. I was careful to make sure she didn't breathe in any of the liquids and frequently gave her breaks. After emptying it a few times spread throughout days with no luck of the crop going down, I tried to isolate her. I didn't think to do this earlier in her treatment becasue I didn't see her eating so to me there was no point (which now I regret). Finally I went to isolate her, setting her up in a spare dog crate. She flipped out and I caved in and let her back with her friends, I felt too bad seeing her pace back and forth the front of the crate bumping her beak on the bars. So thus I let her out which was the worst decision I could've made. I regret it deeply and now do not let sick hens out of isolation because I think they are sad. What I thought was sour crop was also pendulous crop that grew by the day and here we are now, she sleeps standing frequently, walks weird because she cannot see below her, and just overall does not look good. Her crop is humongous filling up both of my hands, I decided to make a "crop bra" which failed miserably, her crop is so large I barley seen a change with the bra on. When I had it on she kept getting her feet stuck in the bottom somehow becasue of how she walks so she would get trapped and fall over which was a miserable sight to see, on top of that when she was stumbling around the first time I put it on, my other chickens went to attack her, I'm assuming because she looked like a threat bumbling around. I was devastated and I'm very disappointed as I seen that crop bra as my last shot. So please help me I'm not sure of what I can do now, I came on here as a last shot for advice as I'm debating putting her down to end her suffering. I don't know how much longer she has, observing her she is really not looking good. I wish to act fast, I don't want to see her suffer anymore and I regret my decisions in the past so much as I've failed my poor Momo.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Have you treat the yeast infection which is causing the sour crop?
Read this article and begin treatment with a yeast medication. You may find that this will help her crop reduce in size, then you can put the bra on to see if that helps.
If you have photos of her you wish to share that might be helpful too.
You don't mention her laying eggs, is she in lay or has she stopped?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[ashaedo]

Have you treat the yeast infection which is causing the sour crop?
Read this article and begin treatment with a yeast medication. You may find that this will help her crop reduce in size, then you can put the bra on to see if that helps.
If you have photos of her you wish to share that might be helpful too.
You don't mention her laying eggs, is she in lay or has she stopped?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

I have only tried emptying it in the past, thank you for sharing the article I'll have to try that medication out. This picture was taken a few days ago, she has stopped laying eggs, thank you for responding

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have only tried emptying it in the past, thank you for sharing the article I'll have to try that medication out. This picture was taken a few days ago, she has stopped laying eggs, thank you for responding

Try the medication and see if that helps.
Emptying alone usually does not work. I wouldn't vomit her again, see if the medication helps. Don't massage a crop that is yeasty/sour.
You can also give the coconut oil along with the yeast medication, this can sometimes get things moving.
A crop issue is usually a symptom of an underlying condition, so keep that in mind. Reproductive disorders, worms, coccidiosis and infection are some common problems seen when a hen develops crop issues.

Keep us posted on how she's getting along.

 

[ashaedo]

Try the medication and see if that helps.
Emptying alone usually does not work. I wouldn't vomit her again, see if the medication helps. Don't massage a crop that is yeasty/sour.
You can also give the coconut oil along with the yeast medication, this can sometimes get things moving.
A crop issue is usually a symptom of an underlying condition, so keep that in mind. Reproductive disorders, worms, coccidiosis and infection are some common problems seen when a hen develops crop issues.

Keep us posted on how she's getting along.

Will do, thank you for the information, I will be getting the medicine asap

 

[ashaedo]

7/14/21
Momo took her first dose today like a champ! hoping the following days will be as smooth as the first

 

[Wyorp Rock]

7/14/21
Momo took her first dose today like a champ! hoping the following days will be as smooth as the first

Glad you've started.
Twice a day remember for a full 7 days!
Keep me posted

 

[ashaedo]

7/19/21
Happy update! Today Momo had the first dust bath I've seen her take in a long time! She's also passing solids now which is great, she's starting to act more chicken each day, I do notice a change in her crop too, it's condensed and feels solid compared to the squishy crop before treatment.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It sounds like she's doing better!

I would still continue to monitor the crop to make sure it's emptying overnight. Any signs of trouble, then start with some coconut oil, then see how it is the next morning. Sometimes a crop can seem to be clearing very well, then it can suddenly go down again.

Looks like she's having a grand time dust bathing!

 

[ashaedo]

I'll have to use that coconut oil as it still does have stuff in it in the morning, I'm hoping it will empty some more by the time she's done with her medication but I will add in coconut oil to her routine. It has definitely shrunk in size but it's still larger than it should be, should I massage it with the oil once the yeast infection is completely treated? wondering if that would help get things moving along more, thanks for the tip!