Impacted Crop?

[Hayslope]

Success! Thanks again. You all are the best.

 

[Hayslope]

 

[Hayslope]

Still a little wobbly. Not walking. Is this normal?

 

[TwoCrows]

Oh GREAT NEWS!!! I am so glad the egg has passed!! And yes, she is going to be weak for a while, depending on how long she has been egg bound. From the sounds of the full crop, at least 24 hours. So I would not feed her anything until tomorrow. If the crop is still really full now, let that digest before adding more. Could cause a true impaction. Make sure the crop stays hydrated and does not dry out so it keeps moving over night. If you have to massage the crop to keep it broken up, then do so. Check her crop first thing in the morning to see if has emptied. If it is all but gone, you can get her back on her feed.

In the future, always keep oyster shell available at all times. Keep it right next to the feed and water. Chickens won't go looking for it, but if it is in their faces, they will eat it. Calcium not only aids in a strong shell, but it also causes the contractions to move that egg down the oviduct and out. Dehydration can also cause egg binding as well, so make sure they have fresh clean water at all times. Keep the treats to a minimum as they need to eat their layer feed much of the time for the calcium. If they are filling up on goodies, which can take hours to move out of the crop, they aren't eating enough layer feed.

I am so glad!! Keep us updated on how she is tomorrow. She should make a full recovery!

 

[TwoCrows]

If she is still having trouble walking tomorrow, let us know.

 

[Hayslope]

Thank you! They go through lots of oyster shell and I give them fresh clean water every day. It is so cold here that the water would freeze overnight so I dump it and bring the watered in then refill it in the AM with nice warm water. This hen hatched last fall, has laid about 5 eggs and is lowest on the pecking order. I have been feeding them fermented barley from a local brewer... I think maybe that is the culprit. Not eating enough of their layer feed. I will stop the barley.

 

[TwoCrows]

Yes, sometimes the lowest ranking bird has a hard time getting to the feed and water. So make sure to set up more than one water and feeding station. That way she can get enough water and feed without being bullied or stressed. My lowest hen is the same way and I make sure there are other places for her to drink and eat. When they give her a hard time, she heads right over to one of the other stations and is able to drink or eat in peace.

Good luck with your baby. And if she is still having trouble walking tomorrow or her crop is still huge, let us know and we can go from there.

 

[Hayslope]

Good morning! Olive is feeling much better! She ate her feed with organic blueberries on top and drank lots of water this morning. Still a little weak so she is not standing a lot but her tail is up and she is perky. You all saved her life yesterday and I can't thank you enough. I will keep you posted. Thank you!!!

 

[TwoCrows]

Good morning! Olive is feeling much better! She ate her feed with organic blueberries on top and drank lots of water this morning. Still a little weak so she is not standing a lot but her tail is up and she is perky. You all saved her life yesterday and I can't thank you enough. I will keep you posted. Thank you!!!

Excellent! Did her crop empty over night?

Well, keep us posted. If you need any more help with this issue, you know where to find us.

 

[Hayslope]

Yes it did and she ate. Thanks again.