Long Time Michigan Lurker

[DuchessofChaos]

Hello, I've been lurking BYC for a long time, I recently made an account trying to help my Maran hen, Tilly who is suffering from sour crop. (Still need replies if anyone could help)

I've had chickens since I was ten years old, so 28 years now. As a child I kept a larger flock of around 30, in my 20s-early 30s I kept two rescue roosters, and now in my 30s I keep 3 disabled hens (Mab an Ayam Cemani crossbeak, and Miss Honey and Mae Mae, two partially blind Ameraucana hens), and my Maran Tilly, who is usually my healthy hen, but has been suffering with sour crop and possibly pendulous crop. I also keep a few sweet little jumbo coturnix quails.

I live in SE Michigan and keep my birds only as pets (we do eat their eggs too, but that isn't why I have them). Happy to meet everyone, but wish it wasn't under such sad circumstances.

 

[fldiver97]

Look up article by TwoCrows from 2014, revised 2022:​

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Sour Crop, Impacted Crop, Doughy Crop - Prevention and Treatments of Crop disorders​

 

[fldiver97]

And welcome! Sorry about the circumstances.
To start with, is the crop soft and mushy or firm/lumpy? Have you tried massaging/draining the crop ?
(first time I did it I was so freaked out about hurting my hen….. but after gentle massage and holding her like a football and lowering her head to below her crop I was able to drain quite a bit of fluid. That seemed to make her more comfortable and gave me time to read up on next steps)

 

[Jenbirdee]

I’m sorry your hen is ill
The link given by @fldiver97 is a very good one. welcome to BYC.

 

[muddy75]

 

[DuchessofChaos]

Look up article by TwoCrows from 2014, revised 2022:​

​

Thank you, I really appreciate it. I did end up following this, but sadly Tilly just passed away a few minutes ago. I let her visit her sisters and then held her as she passed. I'm sorry to join on such sad circumstances.

 

[fldiver97]

I’m so sorry! You gave her a good life after such a sad start!! She was loved until her last breath, your final gift to her. Sending hugs

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

So glad you decided to de-lurk!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[DobieLover]

Welcome to BYC. I'm so sorry you lost Tilly.

 

[DuchessofChaos]

Thank you for your kindness everyone, it's really appreciated. I've found a lot of good advice on here over the years, it's the first place I search when my sweet flock has any problems.