My Pullet Ate Too Much Grit- yes really!

[Tervuren]

So, I’ve been dealing with my Cream Legbar’s (Fancy) impacted crop for over a week now. Took her into the vet Monday where they took x-rays and it was discovered her crop was packed full of grit! It was still packed full at the end of the week and she was only 2.5lbs, so dear Fancy is lucky that I’m soft hearted and just got a raise, so she got a surgery to clear her crop out. She is currently home and resting in my guest bathroom.

I’m mostly posting to lay out my gameplan for her recovery/reintroduction and for feedback

1) Why would a chicken eat too much grit? What is the best way to provide it to the flock to prevent Fancy from getting impacted in the future? It is currently in a small dog bowl in the run.

2) To prevent a big kerfuffle when putting Fancy back in the coop, would it be a good idea to bring another pullet (1 at a time) inside to hang out briefly with her a few times a day? I was thinking I’d start with my super chill Bielefelder.

3) It is winter and currently getting down to the 20s at night. By the time Fancy is ready to go out I wouldn’t be surprised if it was getting down to the teens. She is going to loose all of her acclimatization while she recovers and has already been inside since Thursday afternoon. The vet actually suggested I provide a heat source to the coop when I put her back out. I was thinking in a few days I’d set up the x-pen in the garage and set my brooder plates on their sides for her. And then when she can go outside, somehow set up one of the plates near the roost so she can get near it if she chooses. Does that sound like a good acclimatization process? Obviously the end goal is no heat in the coop.

I’ll probably have more ideas and concerns to post later. Thanks for any feedback!

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

For grit I usually just sprinkle some on top of their food in the morning so
I know that they are getting a little bit. In the spring and summer they should be fine to get grit on their own if they are free ranged regularly. As for reintroducing her I would chose a hen you know to be not a bully, but not at the bottom of pecking order, start there by free ranging them together, if all goes well just let the whole flock out and supervise closely so she isn't bullied. Most of the time in my experience reintroduction goes smoothly. Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[Tervuren]

She’s drinking lots this morning, but not so interested in food. She’s been having fun pecking at my phone and is currently perched on my arm dosing. kinda like having a cat on your lap, how are you supposed to disturb them? lol

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

For grit I usually just sprinkle some on top of their food in the morning so
I know that they are getting a little bit. In the spring and summer they should be fine to get grit on their own if they are free ranged regularly. As for reintroducing her I would chose a hen you know to be not a bully, but not at the bottom of pecking order, start there by free ranging them together, if all goes well just let the whole flock out and supervise closely so she isn't bullied. Most of the time in my experience reintroduction goes smoothly. Good luck and keep us updated!

I have a 12 week old in a brooder, should I provide her a tiny bit of grit?

 

[Tervuren]

Ok bringing my Bielefelder in for a bit was a good idea! Nettie immediately started chowing down lol, and Fancy started eating. Nothing like a little competition!

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

I have a 12 week old in a brooder, should I provide her a tiny bit of grit?

Yes, while in the brooder they don't necessarily need it if the only thing they are ingesting is crumbles, but it is still good for them. I would just do the same thing by sprinkling it on top, not too much though.

 

[Tervuren]

I have Fancy set up in the garage with chick brooder plates to help her acclimate if she needs it. So far she seems fine, but I’ll be keeping an eye on her tonight for sure. Cycling the other girls through seems to be working well. Fancy has a good time pecking the others in the head is she thinks they’re eating too much of her food (she’s second in the pecking order). Of course easier to do this on the weekend than during the work week lol. (Still my weekend, I don’t work Mondays). Also she was awfully cute yesterday and took naps in my lap. Adding a picture of that just for the adorable factor.

 

[Tervuren]

Bad picture, but Fancy has herself situated between the heat plate and Nettie. Brought Nettie in to help keep Fancy warm, and looks like it’s working! Fancy is acting bright eyed and bushy tailed, but I didn’t see her eating much today. Hopefully she just wasn’t hungry when I was looking!

 

[Crazy Maizie]

How are you providing the grit? What size of grit are you offering? Is food free fed or just offered at certain times throughout the day?

Grit should be offered on the side in a separate container. There is also different sizes of grit available depending on the size needed - chick to full size.

 

[Tervuren]

@Crazy Maizie The grit is labeled large, and I provide it in a small dog bowl in their run and scatter a small amount of it on the ground. Their food is free fed.