Lump of cheese stuck in Crop - Help please.

[Waqar4]

Hi,

I have a 10 month old Silkie hen. Last couple of weeks she has been losing appetite and losing weight slowly. And has stopped eating and drinking since yesterday. Now she's become very quiet and has been sitting quietly in her nesting cage, she has put her head close to her body and not moving at all.

I took her to the Vet yesterday evening, and they took an X-ray and said that she seems to be having a lump of food in her crop, which is probably the main reason why she isn't eating or drinking.
They confirmed she does not have egg binding and that her vent is also clear.

So I started to think what it could be, and I have a doubt that some kids of my family were visiting me last couple of weeks, and they were feeding my Silkie cheese squares (the ones to put in burgers). And apparently the Silkie loves that cheese and I have seen her gobbling up big pieces of it (around 1 sq cm) at a time.
So could this cheese may have formed a lump inside of her? Could it have gotten mixed with other grains she ate and is not breaking down?

Is there any natural way to clear that block? Would Garlic help? Anything else I can do?
She has not eaten anything in two days.

The Vets are saying they may not be able to perform surgery as she may not survive, as she is already very weak.

Please help, she was born in my hands and is my baby :-(

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry that you are dealing with the sick silkie. Could the vet not offer to give her fluids to get her built up for crop surgery? Thapey can give them under her skin. How does her crop feel? Is it full and hard or puffy, or do you feel the cheese? Is there a bad or sour odor from her beak? If she is digesting, except for the object, it seems like you or the vet could tube feed her some fluids and mushy feed. You might ask the vet about that. Time is of the essence, so I would be giving her water with SaveChick electrolytes or some homemade ones. I am not a vet, so I am a bit nervous advising you what to do.

 

[Waqar4]

Sorry that you are dealing with the sick silkie. Could the vet not offer to give her fluids to get her built up for crop surgery? Thapey can give them under her skin. How does her crop feel? Is it full and hard or puffy, or do you feel the cheese? Is there a bad or sour odor from her beak? If she is digesting, except for the object, it seems like you or the vet could tube feed her some fluids and mushy feed. You might ask the vet about that. Time is of the essence, so I would be giving her water with SaveChick electrolytes or some homemade ones. I am not a vet, so I am a bit nervous advising you what to do.

No, the vets did not offer on giving her fluids, and they are also saying the Hen surgeon isn't back till next week, so it will be difficult to keep her hydrated and not weak.

Her crop does feel like its come down a little. Its soft (not hard or firm), in fact its so soft that I can clearly feel whats inside. I feel grains of different sizes.
Yes I am giving her electrolytes now and she ate a little fresh soft corn.

 

[Waqar4]

Somewhere else, it has been mentioned to give her coconut oil. Is this a good idea? (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/constipated-chick.1352372/post-22298958)

 

[Eggcessive]

Coconut, castor, or mineral oil could help to move the blockage through her. A half tsp would be plenty. Keep up with the fluids and electrolytes. Does she have access to chick or poultry grit? Good luck.

 

[Waqar4]

Coconut, castor, or mineral oil could help to move the blockage through her. A half tsp would be plenty. Keep up with the fluids and electrolytes. Does she have access to chick or poultry grit? Good luck.

Yes, we do have poultry grit. Will give it to her now mixed with the corn. Thank you!