Impacted Crop/Sour Crop/Vent Gleet

[ReelFaster]

Hi gang, one of my girls is down. Noticed she hasn't been laying for a good few weeks now. This past Sat early in the AM I checked her crop and noticed it was really full and could hear the fluid all but coming up out of her mouth along with the smell. For better or worse I did induce vomiting, it didn't take much at all she let it out pretty good twice and it was pretty awful smelling. Third time there was nothing. I know some of you may frown on this but what's done is done.

In addition to this, she has had for sometime now what I thought was just pasty butt. But I think it's more than that and came across vent gleet (never heard of until now). Her poor bottom is raw, very runny, yellowish/white discharge, and featherless now. I soaked her bottom in some warm water with Epsom salt and washed the gunk off best I could. I also rubbed monistat around her vent trying to get some in with an applicator best I could and rubbed the area as well.

I proceeded to isolate her and gave her monistat (orally) shortly after and again later that evening along with fresh water and apple cider vinegar. Next morning I felt her crop and it appeared empty for maybe some grit or perhaps some corn. So I did give her a scrambled egg. I noticed she's pretty lethargic and I also noticed her comb is a bit bluish/purplish. I cannot recall if this was color was before or after I induced vomiting but most likely after.

This morning still pretty lethargic, comb same color. Crop had some stuff in it, I tried to massage it as best I could and I gave her some more monistat orally. I also did give her another scrambled egg which she ate, so she does have an appetite and I did see her drinking a bit this weekend.

She has had sour crop in the past and has had what I think is vent gleet for sometime. I know these are both a fungus related issues and strongly believe they are connected. She is a young hen maybe 2yrs old and has been fairly healthy all this time but started having some crop issues and vent issues about 6 months ago but has always laid eggs. Attached are come pics. I will continue to treat her best I can and hopes for an improvement. She's usually so bubbly and very very active and you can just tell she's not herself at all. I did check her poo for worms and checked her for mites but I cannot see anything.

 

[azygous]

You don't mention her age and laying history. How old and when was her last egg? Any shell quality issues?

This can be from a stuck egg even though she may have not been laying regularly. It can also be from a reproductive tumor blocking the oviduct, more likely if she's older.

I usually pop a calcium tablet into the beak of a hen with these symptoms just in case she's in an egg crisis. It can't hurt and could save her life.

If we rule out egg binding, then you might decide to treat for systemic yeast infection. The most efficient way to clean out a hen's system of yeast is with a three-day Epsom salts flush, getting the yeast washed out from beak to butt. It requires tubing, though. Would you be up for that?

 

[ReelFaster]

I did mention a bit of both her age and history but I know my post was vert lengthy. She's about 2yrs old and has always been a consistent layer. I am not sure when she laid last, hard to tell but it's been awhile. I may have gotten a few over the winter from her. She has laid in the past a few very very soft shell eggs we've had to throw away, but they are few far and in between but I can recall at least 3 occasions. I always provide oyster shells, plenty of grit.

I notice she has a real waddle, between her legs she is hanging low and waddles side to side. She's always had a cute little waddle but I notice it's larger now. .

I believe I have calcium tablets I can try. I am pretty much up to anything when trying to care for them. I've learned so much over the years with caring for them & with the help of this fantastic forum.

Thanks a bunch for your reply!

 

[azygous]

Thanks for the additional info. I do see now you mentioned her age. That's pretty young but if she's had egg quality issues in the past, it means she's inclined to have them. The waddle and tummy hanging low along can be ascites, which is symptomatic of liver disease.

Try the calcium pill as a first measure. If there's an egg hung up, this will address that.

But if she's in organ shut down, it would account for the crop issue. We'll try to narrow it down if we can.

 

[ReelFaster]

Thanks for the additional info. I do see now you mentioned her age. That's pretty young but if she's had egg quality issues in the past, it means she's inclined to have them. The waddle and tummy hanging low along can be ascites, which is symptomatic of liver disease.

Try the calcium pill as a first measure. If there's an egg hung up, this will address that.

But if she's in organ shut down, it would account for the crop issue. We'll try to narrow it down if we can.

Thank you so so much I appreciate your help. I'll see if I can get a calcium pill down.

 

[ReelFaster]

Went out to check on my girl LN and this morning before work. LN her crop felt hard and full. I tried to massage best I could and did give her more monistat. I also gave little egg w/ calcium crushed up on top. I put her in the coop for the night. This morning she didn't make it out of the coop and her crop is still full. It still feels firm and hard which I assume is now impacted. I again massaged best I could for a few minutes. I also gave her some olive oil orally to help with passing it. Her poo is still milky whitish looking. I didn't catch her drinking but hope she is. She does still have an appetite but I did not give her anything. Hoping for the best with her, not sure what to do with her.

 

[azygous]

There is a protocol for treating impacted crop here. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

I use coconut oil, a teaspoon for each dose, probably three or four doses over the day, followed by a stool softener if those doses are not clearing the crop.

 

[ReelFaster]

Thank you very much!

This morning her crop was completely empty, so that was a good sign. Her comb looked a bit redder vs. bluish/purplish. She was def more perky and made it out of the coop on her own this morning. I did give her a scrambled egg as she hasn't eaten in a bit. I also did give her monistat again. I going to finish the 7 day recommendation so that sour crop does not return.

Now I just need to figure out this vent gleet. I don't have time to soak her bottom in the mornings so it's been a bit tricky with my schedule.

 

[ReelFaster]

Good news, looks like my hen is on the mend. Her crop has been emptying regularly with me only feeding her a scrambled egg. I plan on introducing her feed back to her but with mixed with some water to loosen it up.

Her bottom has also greatly improved as well. I think the monistat doses have really been helping in both areas of sour crop and the vent gleet. Today is day 6 of 2x a day doses, I plan on giving to her till Sunday.

She is very active and just looks much more like herself. I plan on always using apple cider vinegar in their water to possibly help with crop/gut issues. Hopefully she will start laying soon once she's eating more.

 

[azygous]

It's always gratifying when your efforts make your chicken better. Great job!