Impacted Crop - if culled, is meat still fit to eat?

[MaggiesOrganic]

Hi there,

One of our young hens (only 4 months old) has what I believe to be an impacted crop. The swelling has increased dramatically over the last six hours. We have given her a bit of oil, and also a bit of water with baking soda. I have massaged her crop several times as well. We are hoping to see some improvement, but if the worst-case scenario seems to be happening and we have to cull her from the flock - will the meat be edible? I do not want to cull, I would prefer that she recuperate. However, I do not want her to slowly starve and suffer...

Any advice from someone who has dealt with this in the past?

I hope the question does not seem crass... We love our chickens!

- Amy

 

[MaggiesOrganic]

Oh Goodness,

We went out and gave her a small amount of bread that had been soaked in olive oil and we are keeping our fingers crossed that she is markedly improved tomorrow. The swelling has increased, and the mass is now very soft to the touch. It is about the size of a softball, I cannot believe how quickly this has progressed.

She is one of our sweeter hens, could you all press your thumbs and think healthy hen thoughts?

Thanks for any and all advice...
-Amy