impacted crop

[jessejames]

hey guys

so i am pretty sure that my new hen "blue" has an impacted crop and probably has had since i first got her.
she has always had what i thought was a prominent breast but tonight (being the first time i was able to give her a thorough going over i found her crop to be what was prominent and it is not quite hard but definitely enlarged and it is taught to the touch.
i guess what i want to know is how i should go about treating her before i decide to go the ruth route and start cutting. (my grandfather was a world famous vet surgeon so i have it my blood)
as far as food etc, she has been on layer feed with treats of watermelon and finch mix as well as a full compliment of free range pasture. she does seem to have an appetite and is not displaying any outward signs of distress. any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
as always

 

[chickenzoo]

Many people will use olive oil soaked bread to help soften up the croup. Does her breath smell rank? If so that is the fermentation of the food stuck in there. How old is she and how long have you had her?

 

[NotTheMomma]

A crop SHOULD be full in the evenings before they roost. It's in the morning that a full crop is a concern. Remove all food/water for ONE night, and check the crop first thing in the morning. Then you'll know what you're dealing with.

 

[ruth]

Quote:
Exactly. As I posted for you on my thread, examine all other options before operating.

If impacted, it would stay huge no matter what. Withholding food won't make it go down. She would also be losing weight because she wouldn't be able to absorb/process nutrients. And, there will sometimes be an odor from the fermented/trapped feed/water in there. My hen had all of the above.

I posted on my thread that we had a hen we named "Pammy" in honor of Pamela Lee Anderson on Baywatch because the freeranging hen would gorge herself all day long and then coming running back to the coop at night with her crop practically dragging the ground and swaying from side to side. Wasn't impacted - she was flat chested each morning - Pammy each evening.

 

[jessejames]

well fer sure it is like this all the time i know the difference between a full fed crop and something that is quite different all together.
she is a black sex-link that i have had for a cpl weeks now her crop i am thinking has been this way the whole time i have had her. i got her and her sister together they are this years birds but have been laying for awhile (well her sister hasnt laid yet for me) i dont all together trust the person they came from but they were kinda part of a trade i wont be getting anymore birds from this woman i have been really disappointed with the care these birds were receiving before they came to me.
thanks for the bread tip i will try that first thing in the am
ciao

 

[jessejames]

so after further investigation i am leaning towards her just being a little piggie. i didnt get to feel her crop first thing but a cpl hours ago it was quite a bit smaller than it was last night. i will be sure to check her agian tonight and for sure first thing in the am.
all outward signs are of a happy healthy bird (knock on wood)
thanks for tips hopefully i wont need them.
ciao

 

[LynneP]

I agree, she sounds fine. Believe me, you will know if she is not!