Impacted crop - all better - now what should I do?

[Nitcha]

Hi all, have been treating my ex-battery hen with the oil and breadcrumb mix I read about here. Thank you guys for that info.

She seems fine now and crop is fully empty so have had her on cooked rice with still a very small amount of oil added.

What should I do now? Do I let her free range again or keep her confined? Should I let her have grain and crumble?

Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[seminolewind]

I would imagine she should go back to her chicken feed and free ranging. It would be really hard to keep her on a special diet and she should really be eating chicken food. Maybe give her some yogurt every few days or like twice a week?

 

[LynneP]

I agree, she needs her regular routine now. Nicely done, by the way!

 

[fiberart57]

You might also add a tablespoon of ACV, Dr. Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar, (available at most stores, even chain grocery) to a gallon of water two or three times per week. (Use a plastic waterer.) It helps keep the ph of the crop slightly acidic.

Oops! I just noticed that you're in Australia. Dr. Bragg's is a vinegar that's organic with a bit of slurry at the bottom, called "the mother". You probably could find something similar there.

Mary

 

[max101]

What bedding are you using. Sometimes when hens go broody they will eat straw. Did you work out what was binding her. Keep a check every now and then to make sure she doesnt get impacted again

 

[Nitcha]

Thank you all for your replies.

She was on newspaper with straw before this started because she had no use of either leg when she came out of the battery cage. After about 3 weeks and a shot of steroids she is now walking really well. It is 5 weeks out of the battery cage now.

She has always been seperated from the other hens (because she had difficulty walking) and had started eating strips of newspaper. As soon as I noticed her doing this I took the paper away and just had straw. It was a few days after the newspaper eating that she got sick. Oh, and during part of the day she had a pen outside with grass and dirt, when I was home and could keep an eye on her.

Have also been giving her the ACV from the time I noticed her sick.

At the moment she is on cooked rice with a few drops per day of oil, scrambled egg and wet crumble. Should I forget the rice and egg and put her back on crumble and grain?

Sorry, am new at this and really appreciate the help. Am worried it will happen again.

 

[seminolewind]

Maybe just slowly wean her off it. Good job!