Minnesota!

[Bogtown Chick]

I'm not sure how much it will help but I dealt with a sour/impacted crop last year and thanks to some great people on BYC my hen recovered. I'll post the link to my thread.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/893065/please-help-i-think-my-hen-has-sour-crop

Chickenchick11. I'm so glad everything turned out good for Jackie. She's a sweetie. Love RIRs.

 

[duluthralphie]

Ralphie: I believe the tell tale for Sour crop is Lethargy and a Non Emptied crop in the AM. Poor things. Very bulbous looking.

My birds have hay and oak leaves in their run for winter footing and I have to say that I still see them with a stick of hay still hanging out of the beak sometimes. Makes me nervous. But if I can reduce them craving the greens so that they dont gorge themselves on long strands of hay then I'll give it my best shot. Hay and Straw has been used for years in chickening though...and used with success. Except for that chook here or there that decides to load themselves on it. Chickens keep us humble. And they have minds of their own or predisposition for issues. I think that's just something we need to accept sometimes and just do our best to head off issues...if we can.

Edited to Add that I think adding that grit in those winter runs also helps keep things pushed along and ground/ digested well.

I did not know oak leafs could do this too, mine spend most of the day digging through oak leafs.

This brings up another question I have wondered about. I feed crushed oyster shells. I di not feed grit as my birds are outside daily and I always make sure I have a pile of sand/gravel snow free for them to pick at.

I have seen my roosters eating the oyster shells. I know it is calcium, I doubt they are smart enough to say they should add calcium to their feed. I also feed a layer mash with calcium in it. Whew, now the question.. I feel like a whitehouse reporter with a 5 minute set up for a question....... the question is, do oyster shell act as grit at all.

I would think they would sit in the gizzard and grind other foods as they dissolve and are absorbed.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Ralphie: I re-read your earlier post and for the record I think you're probably a good Poultry keeper. Anybody that cares for their birds the way you seem to -- is a good keeper. With maybe some bad luck here and there. There is a learning curve in Poultry keeping.

I will tell you that I had some Miracle grow spill out on my deck last summer and I lost the most beautiful Easter Egger because of my neglect. She ate that fertilizer and died in 3 days.

I think we all have had these things happen to us and we all learn from them and make life better with the rest.

Sounds like your birds are getting the grit they need from the sand piles. I've always bought both the granite grit AND the Oyster Shell for free choice...if the layers think they need it. Feed back crushed egg shells etc. I'm not sure how quick the Oyster Shell gets dissolved. But I will tell you that I had oyster shell only in my run the first winter for a while...and by January the digestion was not working as well. Whole seeds and strands of grass and greens in the poo undigested. So I think they need the granite or rock stuff for grit. About the same time my Dad was asking me if I got grit for them. Ha, good old Dad. Once we had that grit...the droppings looked better.

Just wanted to clarify that I haven't seen the birds eat the oak leaves, though...just a bit of the hay strands.

 

[Cluckies]

Cluckies: This whole sour crop thing has to be a nightmare. Knock on wood I have not dealt with that one.

Do you give greens in the winter? I have always feared my birds eating hay or straw and getting blocked up, so I do throw a handful of spinach or kale everyday through the winter. I think they really crave that stuff. And if they don't have it they try getting down the straw and such.
I do give them greens as well, cabbage, kale, lettuce throughout the week. I try to do what is best for them.

Have you tried vomitting her yet? No, it is not runny, so don't think it would do any good, it is not like a balloony sour crop.

Once cleared then you need to start her back on a mash of water and feed real...easy. Not letting her over eat etc. Small spaced out meals so her crop doesnt sour and block again. Some people have used monistat or anti yeast to help with the flora in the crop once it's cleared. Monistat works for a sour crop, used that on Mother in the fall. don't know if it is ok for impacted crop. right now i'm doing the massages and trying to get her to drink.

Ginger and garlic also helps the digestive system.

 

[Cluckies]

I do offer free choice grit and oyster shell in the run and in the hen house, they have access to both all day long. Also, the run floor is dirt/sand/wood chips. rocks in there as well.

 

[Cluckies]

Ralphie: I re-read your earlier post and for the record I think you're probably a good Poultry keeper. Anybody that cares for their birds the way you seem to -- is a good keeper. With maybe some bad luck here and there. There is a learning curve in Poultry keeping.

I will tell you that I had some Miracle grow spill out on my deck last summer and I lost the most beautiful Easter Egger because of my neglect. She ate that fertilizer and died in 3 days.

I think we all have had these things happen to us and we all learn from them and make life better with the rest.

So sorry for your loss I think you are both good Poultry Keepers. I agree that there is alot of learning. I just wish it wasn't so painful to learn these lessons!

 

[Cluckies]

I had a EE pullet a few weeks ago with an impacted crop. I read up here on BYC on what to do. She made it through and has been OK since. We tubed vitamin water and massaged. Hope things get turned in the right direction for her.

Another topic.......what a crappy morning for chores!! it dropped 16 degrees while I was out there. AWESOME!! and the wind!! WHEW!

I wish you were here and could help me tube the water. what thread did you follow for directions on that? the impacted crop/crop health article? Mine is also an EE

 

[ejb3810]

Ralphie, Just to educate you a little, I will tell you that you are three times more likely to be killed by a falling coconut than to win the powerball. Are there any coconut trees growing near your coop? If so be very careful.

 

[duluthralphie]

Ralphie, Just to educate you a little, I will tell you that you are three times more likely to be killed by a falling coconut than to win the powerball. Are there any coconut trees growing near your coop? If so be very careful.

I try to not let reality affect my powerball dreams in an manner.



I may not be a bad chicken owner, But I have one black lab that is not happy with me as a dog owner. I happen to see 2 mature eagles soaring over the fields and coming this way ( maybe 1/8 of a mile away when I saw them.) I forced the poor dog out in the cold telling her to "get em" so she ran out barking. She is now barking to come in. I suppose I have to let her in soon, but she is providing poultry security at the moment...

 

[Chickenchick11]

Chickenchick11.  I'm so glad everything turned out good for Jackie.  She's a sweetie.  Love RIRs.

Thanks Bogtown Chick. She is defiantly a sweetie and my favorite chicken. I love RIRs to, they're such beautiful and sweet birds.