I'm pretty sure my hen has sour crop, need advice

[TwoCrows]

Thanks, Two Crows. I once had a hen live to be 14. She looked a lot like this one, very tame, but was a gray bantam. Over the years I've dealt with sick hens. I don't remember ever having crop issues, except the one time I took a cochin to the vet after she swallowed a fish hook. I do realize it could be something else, but the symptoms seem to be leaning towards this. Thanks for all your good advice. It sounds like you have a lot of experience and knowledge about hens.

Wow...14 years old. You obviously know what you are doing as well!

I sure hope this cures her right up.

 

[TwoCrows]

Chicken15, how is your hen this morning?

 

[Chicken15]

Hey there, this morning I went to get them out and I inspected her crop and it feels very empty. I still managed to vomit her a few good times, at first not much came out but after enough tries I got enough. I have the feed dampened and so far she seems a little bit better. Well, she looks a little better, not sure how she feels though. She seems to be laying down with the rest and fixing up her feathers.

It's very hot today so I had to lower the temperature of the coop so I was a little busy, heheheh. All he hens are laying in the shade enjoy a peaceful day.



Oh I forgot to mention, she made a stool, it looked a little bigger, had maybe 50/50 green and white in it. But yeah overall she seems to be doing a little better, maybe her crop doesn't ache? Anyways thanks for the concern.

 

[TwoCrows]

GREAT to hear! I was worried that I didn't hear from you and of course pictured the worst. I am glad she is doing better.

Now, judging from what you described on her crop today, she might not need a vomiting tomorrow. If all she is eating is her damp layer feed, and nothing else, the crop should start to move food thru quicker. Had the crop really been full this morning means that food is still taking it's time moving out. So this is good news. If you do feel anything in there tomorrow, of course give her another vomiting. The need to do this should be subsiding soon.

The crop will feel a bit distended for a few days as the inner lining gets a bit swollen. But in a few days, that will shrink back down.

If you want to let the others out for free ranging, maybe keep another hen in with her so that she doesn't feel all alone. Keep her diet strict for a few days, even if tomorrow the crop is empty. If it stays feeling empty each morning for several days in a row and her poop is returning to solids, then she is probably back to normal. You can then let her out with the others and add some treats in the mix. Keep checking her crop every morning for a week or two to make sure she has healed up ok. In the future you might also add probiotics to their water a few times a week to boost the good bacteria needed in the crops.

Good job! If anything "crops up"...(no pun intended LOL) post it here and we will get down to the bottom of it. I hope she makes a full recovery.

 

[Chicken15]

Oh wow that's great to hear! I thought it would take much longer. I'll be keeping a very close eye on her until she starts eating and acting like she used to, I'm glad I made this topic I was so stressed out trying to help her feel better.

Her crop never really did seem full but at first it did, a few days ago after I started vomiting her it slowly went down. And she used to vomit on her own by accident now she doesn't at all.

The sun is directly beaming in their favorite spot to hangout outside so I think I'll wait until it cools down a bit, but i'll make sure there's someone there to keep her company. I did notice a hen sitting next to her this morning, they look really funny when they sit down. Lol

I'll definitely do more research on things I can do to prevent any future problems, I was 3 years trouble free at least! My first time raising hens haha. Thanks for your concern its nice to know you care.

 

[Chicken15]

If one has a mammal with an impaction, mineral oil and fluids are given, not olive oil.

-Kathy

Yep, that's why I made this topic, I needed direction. I did lots of research but every website had different solutions. I initially gave her vegetable oil but then a site suggested olive oil. I've completely stopped with the yogurt and oil.

Now I just massage the crop, make sure she has plenty of water, damp feed, and vomit her when necessary.

 

[TwoCrows]

Chicken15, definitely keep us posted on how she is progressing. I love to hear success stories. Also it helps others get their birds back to health when we tell people what we have done to heal them. Thanks for starting this thread and great job on the treatment of your hen.

 

[TwoCrows]

Oh wow that's great to hear! I thought it would take much longer. I'll be keeping a very close eye on her until she starts eating and acting like she used to, I'm glad I made this topic I was so stressed out trying to help her feel better.

Her crop never really did seem full but at first it did, a few days ago after I started vomiting her it slowly went down. And she used to vomit on her own by accident now she doesn't at all.

The sun is directly beaming in their favorite spot to hangout outside so I think I'll wait until it cools down a bit, but i'll make sure there's someone there to keep her company. I did notice a hen sitting next to her this morning, they look really funny when they sit down. Lol

I'll definitely do more research on things I can do to prevent any future problems, I was 3 years trouble free at least! My first time raising hens haha. Thanks for your concern its nice to know you care.

Oh and just to add about the length of time for this to heal...Had this been a case of sour crop, it would have taken longer to treat. And if the sour crop is bad enough, sometimes the bird does not survive. That is why it is important to catch a slow crop early enough. They can be treated and back to good health in a weeks time. The longer they go being sick the more difficult it becomes to treat.

 

[Chicken15]

I love success stories too, especially when it comes to animals.

So I've been checking up on her every couple of hours and I have noticed that she hasn't moved much, just been sitting in the corner. I'm pretty sure she isn't eating anything, maybe not even drinking, if she is, then she's real sneaky. But seeing the way she behaves I kinda doubt it. Should she be eating a little? And should I 'make' her eat some food?

 

[casportpony]

I always start by weighing them on a kitchen scale, that helps figure out if they're eating/drinking enough. If they are stable, I perform a thorough exam, which includes checking they cloaca for cancer, masses or eggs, then they get dusted for mites/lice and wormed with Fenbendazole at 50mg/kg.

Will post more when I get to a proper computer, lol.

-Kathy