Impacted crop gone now, but still not right hen

[Judy]

I think there is often more to the story when they have impacted or sour crop, especially if the cause is not obviously phsical, like a crop full of straw. I base this on some things I've read from some "old timers." I don't have a "magic cure" for you, but I'd concentrate on things like probiotics, ACV, whatever you think may help her gut heal or soothe it. Antibiotics may belp if there is an intestinal bacterial infection, but I'd be sure they get probiotics after, to help rebuild normal flora in there.

Just on the chance you don't know, chickens (well, birds) don't make lactase, the enzyme needed for digesting milk. Fermented products like kefir shouldn't require lactase.

Gapeworm would be unusual, but certainly posssible. If they have it, you can swab their throat with a Q tip and one or some will be on it when you remove it. They are about 1" long, reddish and very skinny.

 

[Eggcessive]

ACV has become controversial recently. Some oldtimers always recommend it, while others and some websites say to never give it during sour crop. Some believe it irritates the digestive system, while some think it helps. Crop stasis problems are very difficult to cure, and are usually a symptom of another illness. It's too bad that there so few expert avian or university ag. dept. opinions, since there is such differing opinions on how to treat them. Some sites say it is fungal, when some sites say it could also be bacterial, especially after an impacted crop. Coccidiosis, Mareks disease, and so many other problems cause crop stasis.

 

[Ciqala]

Ciqala............When you say she's moving her head around........is she opening her mouth too? I was just wondering about gapeworm.

No, she is not opening her mouth at all when she moves her head/neck up and down and from side to side.

 

[Ciqala]

I have a few questions, if anyone can help me. During this, what I'm considering her healing from the impaction process, should I only feed her soft foods in lieu of her pellets? And the big question for me, should I keep her inside where it's warm? I'm in New Hampshire, our nights have been going into the teens or lower, I do not heat my coop.

 

[Eggcessive]

Since I have never treated a crop issue, I'm not an expert, but i know that most people use applesauce, yogurt, and when they feed chicken feed they wet them. Crumbles will become soft with water. Just don't feed any grains or chopped meat.

 

[Country4ever]

I have had several impacted crops and one actually progressed to a pendulous crop and eventually died.
I would go very easy on her foods and wouldn't give her anything that isn't easily digestible. I would also keep her separated in a crate. That way you can totally control her eating and the amount and consistency of her stools.

The one I had that died from a pendulous crop ended up eating bedding. I think they essentially starve to death because nothing moves past their crops.

I would continue to message her crop. Maybe even give her some olive oil..........just in case there's a problem downstream that would benefit from oil's slickness.

Its important to try to resolve impacted crops before the crop gets stretched out too much. Because then, the nerve function to it gets disrupted.

Funny about the ACV. I tend to have periods of gastroparesis myself and vinegar has helped. Unfortunately, what's good for the top of the GI tract isn't good for the lower part!

You mentioned the hen's head movements. Too bad you can't put a video of her on here, doing that. The movement you are describing is almost like when my hens are checking their immediate surroundings out. ..........strectching out their necks, up and down, side to side.
Or do you mean more of a shaking?..........like when they might have something in their ears?

Who knows.....maybe her impacted crop affected some nerves to her head........in which case, they will probably heal.
Also, its possible that she ate something (plastic/staple, etc.) that is stuck somewhere along her tract.

Oh........and NEVER give scratch again. Most of the impacted crops my hens got were from scratch. I think its the corn. I haven't had a single impacted crop since I quit the scratch. I do give them black oil sunflower seed every day as a treat, and they seem to handle that just fine.

 

[EggresiveAli]

When my hen had an impacted crop I fed her white maggots. These eat the junk and gunge *gross* and clear the system. If you do choose to go down the maggot road, the maggots MUST be white

 

[Country4ever]

where did you get the maggots?

 

[EggresiveAli]

Fishing store