Impacted Crop?

[Hayslope]

This is my first post. I have been reading your forums for some time and they have been helpful in all sorts of ways. From simple curiosities to real problems. All morning I have been reading about impacted crops because I found a hen on the floor of the coop with her legs stretched back and her wings held out slightly. When I picked her up her crop was big and hard. I assumed this was an impacted crop. The advice given on these forums was water and massage and some said egg with oil. So, I have been doing both things and she seems a little more comfortable. She still seems to have trouble standing. Her legs go back and I didn't see this mentioned anywhere. Is this a symptom of the impacted crop or is there something else going on? She is the last in pecking order and she is also panting.

 

[Eggcessive]

She could have a crop problem, but I would also do some reading on Mareks disease and botulism. Could she have eaten anything bad outside to expose her to botulism (rotting carcasses of animals, fish, or plant material?) Did she have a Mareks vaccine? Here are some links for you:
http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/disease/502
http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource000791_Rep813.pdf
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/19/botulism
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/04/answers-from-chicken-vet-on-impacted.html

 

[TwoCrows]

I posted on your introduction thread as to how to treat this. PM me if you need to.

 

[Hayslope]

She was in an enclosure with 17 other chickens. I doubt she got into anything toxic but it is a big enclosure and she could have. She has not been vaccinated so it could be Mareks. Why is it always the favorite one! I am off to get epsom salts and dolcolax.

 

[ten chicks]

Did this just happen this morning,are you sure her crop is impacted? Crop should be full during day(after eating)empty in morning(before eating). How hot is it where you are?

B/c i like to cover all bases,check her for being egg bound. Panting/wings spread is probably from stress(or heat if hot)

 

[Hayslope]

Hi, it just started this morning. When I went out to let the chickens out I found her on the floor of the coop. I checked and she doesn't seem to be egg bound. It is cold here. Her crop was very big and hard and her legs don't work, she can't stand up. Her crop is soft now after hours of eye dropper fills of water and massage but she still can not stand.

 

[ten chicks]

Hi, it just started this morning. When I went out to let the chickens out I found her on the floor of the coop. I checked and she doesn't seem to be egg bound. It is cold here. Her crop was very big and hard and her legs don't work, she can't stand up. Her crop is soft now after hours of eye dropper fills of water and massage but she still can not stand.

All you do right now is monitor her,make sure she is eating/drinking,keep her warm. Is her poop normal? Is she still panting? Look at the threads posted regarding Mareks. No indication of any injuries?

 

[Hayslope]

No injuries. She hasn't pooped. Still panting. Eating a little cooked egg and drinking when I give her water in a dropper. Thank you.

 

[ten chicks]

No injuries. She hasn't pooped. Still panting. Eating a little cooked egg and drinking when I give her water in a dropper. Thank you.

Panting is not good,give her electrolytes for stress. It could be anything,how did you check her for being egg bound,did you do a cloacal exam?

 

[Hayslope]

I just felt around. How do I do a cloacal exam?