Molting, Losing Weight, Lethargic *pic*

[HiEverybirdy]

Continued good energy to you and Magnolia. I'm following in hopes of being ready for things like this in the future and appreciate your sharing.

I had a similar moment on the 2nd morning of Frida's illness where her crop was squishy like a water balloon and I thought, did I totally miss a crop problem?? There was no bad smell or burps.

Her poop had tested positive for worms the evening before so I was already treating for that, but it turns out slow crop is a common secondary complication for many issues, including worms. Their whole system has slowed down, so things stay in the crop longer than they should, probably turning sour if the system doesn't get moving again.

All that to say, you've been so close to Magnolia that you may have caught the sour crop right as it developed, which hopefully means the TLC and antibiotics will have a good effect.

She's definitely putting you through the paces. You're giving new meaning to the word rescue when it comes to Magnolia

 

[Aunt Angus]

This is a total noob question, but how empty do their crops get? Completely empty? I realize that when I check crops on my hens as part of the normal routine, I usually just pat them. But I have been squeezing Magnolia's crop (gently, of course). I know it's sour because of the smell and the gassy feeling, but I feel a lil bit of gritty material in there - like a teaspoon maybe. Is that empty enough to be considered normal for first thing in the morning?

 

[BugStalker]

I often find gritty material remains as the sourness improves, but it should empty, ideally.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I often find gritty material remains as the sourness improves, but it should empty, ideally.

Ok, good. Her crop was almost empty this morning. Much improved from yesterday.

There's more lash material today. I will get pics of her poop in a bit, but it looks like little pellets- like mouse poop, tbh.

Those antibiotics can't get here fast enough....

 

[BugStalker]

I have seen small pellet droppings. I think they're fairly common with digestive problems. The cloaca skips shaping them, or can't because of the extra fluid, it seems.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I have seen small pellet droppings. I think they're fairly common with digestive problems. The cloaca skips shaping them, or can't because of the extra fluid, it seems.

Thank you for all of your help. It's nice to hear some of her symptoms are recognized and will hopefully clear up once I find the right treatment.

 

[HiEverybirdy]

This is a total noob question, but how empty do their crops get? Completely empty? I realize that when I check crops on my hens as part of the normal routine, I usually just pat them. But I have been squeezing Magnolia's crop (gently, of course). I know it's sour because of the smell and the gassy feeling, but I feel a lil bit of gritty material in there - like a teaspoon maybe. Is that empty enough to be considered normal for first thing in the morning?

I have similar questions about crops. I thought I knew what they were supposed to feel like until this past week. I've been meaning to spend more time feeling chicken chests but have been too uncaffeinated to remember each morning.

The morning I was worried about Frida's crop, it felt like a small, gritty balloon. Of course, when I went out to feel healthy chicken crops, they were all kind of like that. Then everybody's crops got solid after eating...and I forgot to feel for empty crops the next morning because Frida had improved.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Just got a shipping update. The antibiotics aren't going to arrive until Monday. I paid extra for 2 day shipping. The site said Friday by 9pm. I hate this stupid pandemic for a bazillion reasons. Here's reason bazillion and 1.

 

[BugStalker]

Crops feel a lot of different ways during the day, from hard and tight to soft and squishy. I find it most accurate to feel when they are on the roost. When they just get on, it should be full and either hard or sometimes a little squishy if they drank recently. Before they get off, in the morning, it should be empty.

I'm glad I could be of some help. I've been helped a lot, myself, on these forums.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Her crop is unchanged from yesterday. I'm continuing the medistatin.

Another couple of noob questions:
1) How long does it usually take for sour crop to clear up? In other words, how long should I keep this up?
2) If I treat her other suspected infection with antibiotics, will her crop issue also resolve?

Just wondering how long until I start thinking about crop surgery. I'm researching vets in the area, but I'd rather take care of this myself, if possible.