Isolate?

[talliejo]

Should a hen with sour crop be separated from the flock?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Why would you? and what makes you think it has sour crop?

 

[talliejo]

Why would you? and what makes you think it has sour crop?

I’m new to raising chickens. I had another thread last night with pictures showing my hen with a swollen crop. I commented in there that she had “vomited”. It was suggested to me that she has sour crop. I really don’t know anything about it so that’s why I’m asking.

 

[ManedWolf]

Should a hen with sour crop be separated from the flock?

Yes, she needs to be separated so that you can moniter food/water intake.

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

Depends on the case imo. If she is acting sick I think it's a good idea so the others don't start pecking on her and so you can monitor her more closely for any changes. On the other hand if you're fairly sure she just has sour crop and no impaction or other issues and she's acting fine I think it's good to leave her with the flock where she is most comfortable and just pull her out for a minute when you need to give her treatment.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Should a hen with sour crop be separated from the flock?

I’m new to raising chickens. I had another thread last night with pictures showing my hen with a swollen crop. I commented in there that she had “vomited”. It was suggested to me that she has sour crop. I really don’t know anything about it so that’s why I’m asking.

Did you check her crop this morning to see if it had emptied or not?
I rarely isolate a bird even if they need some type of treatment. If they are able to move about, eat/drink on their own and are not being picked at, I leave them with their flock instead of isolating and stressing the out even more. You can treat Sour Crop while the hen is still active with the flock.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/vomit-and-large-breast.1559383/#post-26440732

Re-check her crop first thing in the morning before she's had anything to eat/drink to see if it's emptied. If it's not empty, then begin treating the crop. White and mucousy is a bit concerning, it may be sour or it could be she's dehydrated. Do make sure she has access to fresh water during waking hours. I let mine eat as they please even when they have a crop problem, they usually limit the amount the eat.
Read this article along with the comments, it will walk you through treatment. I always give coconut oil along with any of the other treatment methods. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[talliejo]

Did you check her crop this morning to see if it had emptied or not?
I rarely isolate a bird even if they need some type of treatment. If they are able to move about, eat/drink on their own and are not being picked at, I leave them with their flock instead of isolating and stressing the out even more. You can treat Sour Crop while the hen is still active with the flock.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/vomit-and-large-breast.1559383/#post-26440732

Thank you. No, her crop is not empty. Our grocery store doesn’t carry any yeast infection treatments so I gave her plain Greek yogurt and some apple cider vinegar water. I am keeping her isolated now because I do think the other birds were pecking at her. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed as what to do next.

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

How's her poop look? Crops usually only become sour when something slows down their digestion like an impaction or other illness.

Do you have a pharmacy nearby? I would think they'd have to carry Monistat or something similar

 

[talliejo]

I’m new to raising chickens. I had another thread last night with pictures showing my hen with a swollen crop. I commented in there that she had “vomited”. It was suggested to me that she has sour crop. I really don’t know anything about it so that’s why I’m asking.

How's her poop look? Crops usually only become sour when something slows down their digestion like an impaction or other illness.

Do you have a pharmacy nearby? I would think they'd have to carry Monistat or something similar

I don’t have a pharmacy nearby- I live remotely in Alaska. It’s about an hour to get to town. I haven’t noticed her pooping much-but the poop she does have seems normal.

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

Normal poop is a good sign. If her crop is still full of liquid I would help her vomit by holding her under one arm, tipping her forward and massaging her crop for a couple seconds at a time. Chickens don't have a gag reflex like people and can easily inhale the fluid if you don't give them time to breath, so be careful and watch some videos of it being done before trying. Once her crop is empty I'd give her a crop flush if you have epsom salt or molasses (1 teaspoon epsom salt in 1/2 cup water or 1 teaspoon molasses in 1/4 cup water). If not then just keep giving acv and a spoonful of yogurt mixed into her food. Massage her crop in an upward circular motion a few times a day to help keep things moving. The exit from the crop to the rest of her digestive system is near the top of the crop so you want to massage up, but not so forcefully that it comes out her mouth again. Here is a diagram to help you visualize.