Millie’s Crop

[micstrachan]

Well here we go. Recently I noticed Millie’s crop hadn’t emptied overnight. It seemed a bit doughy, so I started her on Clotrimazole, which I’ve had luck with in the past. This morning her crop was big and squishy and this evening, not only was it HUGE and doughy, but she kept adjusting it. Poor thing! I massaged it a bit, and I’m continue with the Clotrimazole, but will step up the massage, and possibly add coconut oil treatment. I’m not freaking out yet, but poor Little Mill is uncomfortable. Feel free to follow along or chime in if I’m taking the wrong approach.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Well here we go. Recently I noticed Millie’s crop hadn’t emptied overnight. It seemed a bit doughy, so I started her on Clotrimazole, which I’ve had luck with in the past. This morning her crop was big and squishy and this evening, not only was it HUGE and doughy, but she kept adjusting it. Poor thing! I massaged it a bit, and I’m continue with the Clotrimazole, but will step up the massage, and possibly add coconut oil treatment. I’m not freaking out yet, but poor Little Mill is uncomfortable. Feel free to follow along or chime in if I’m taking the wrong approach.

Was it empty this morning Michelle?

 

[micstrachan]

Nope. Not even close. It was huge. Softer than last night before bed, though. This is a bigger crop than Ruby was dealing with months ago. And we’re in a crazy heat wave. Poor thing.

 

[micstrachan]

Got home from a board meeting at 9:30. Pulled Millie off the roost for a dose of Clotrimazole and a quick crop massage. (Saw her adjust it once before I pulled her.) Though still large, Millie’s crop seemed a little smaller than this morning. It was doughy... not really firm and not puffy. I’ll keep at it.

On a side note, Millie has always had the most luscious, silky feathers of the flock, is low in the pecking order, has always been slightly lighter in the comb than her laying flock mates, and has had a slight limp on and off since she was a pullet. She has always been a good weight, not skinny, not fat. She’s feeling a little skinny across the breast for her, but not tremendously so. She weighed around 6.6 lbs. in late April, so I don’t think it would hurt her if she dropped a little.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It sounds like you are making some progress.

 

[micstrachan]

Millie’s crop was still big, but not huge this morning. It felt doughy, and now I can feel something firm deep in there. I think I’ve got the sour under control, but I suspect there may be a bundle of something that got her clogged up in the first place. When this happened to Ruby, it was from feather eating. Ruby is molting from her hormones, so it’s possible Millie has been snacking on Ruby’s feathers when I wasn’t looking. Will keep up with the anti-fungal and massage. Still haven’t started coconut oil, but might start, depending on the progress and what the nugget in the middle feels like. OMG, I can see how easily birds can die if their owners aren’t attentive and don’t know how to assess. I’ve got a lot more to learn, but am grateful from what I do know, thanks to all of you.

 

[micstrachan]

Happy to report Millie’s crop was much better this morning. Still not empty, but considerably smaller. Not puffy, but not hard. Will finish out the treatment and hope there isn’t an underlying cause that rears it’s ugly head.

This is my third hen in six months with doughy crop. That seems unusually high. Thinking I should disinfect all the waterers? I typically just rinse them and occasionally swipe the inside with a soft bottle brush.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Happy to report Millie’s crop was much better this morning. Still not empty, but considerably smaller. Not puffy, but not hard. Will finish out the treatment and hope there isn’t an underlying cause that rears it’s ugly head.

This is my third hen in six months with doughy crop. That seems unusually high. Thinking I should disinfect all the waterers? I typically just rinse them and occasionally swipe the inside with a soft bottle brush.

Glad she is doing better!

It won't hurt to disinfect the water stations or wash them in hot soapy water. 3 in 6 months with doughy crop...some people seem to have more problems than others. I don't know how you would go about narrowing down the cause. Do you swap feeds a lot?

 

[micstrachan]

Do you swap feeds a lot?

Great point!!! Yes, I just put all the layer feed away since Cashew has integrated her (remaining 3) chicks. The chicks were on a different starter than the big girls were used to, so all the adults have had to adjust. Big learning curve for me having a broody raise the chicks. She’s doing great; the problem has been me, the big, stupid human.
After we’re done with this bag, the whole flock will be on the starter/grower the adults love, that’s usually mixed with layer.

 

[Kiki]

Have you ever treated your adults with Corid?
Crop problems can be a sign of coccidiosis and or worms.