Necropsy photos after death from suspected crop/gizzard impaction? Yellow fluid through intestines *GRAPHIC*

[HorsechickCC]

**Graphic pics**
Looking for insight from anyone who may have knowledge to share! My favorite little hen (9 month old Orpington) died on Monday night and I attempted a basic necropsy (my first time).

Her symptoms: 3 days before death she seemed slightly less active first thing in the morning, so I checked her crop, which was very full. Assumed impaction and started massaging regularly. She was drinking a good amount of water. Next day, crop had reduced somewhat and she seemed more active and happy. The following day (Sunday) she got progressively worse through the day but I was still massaging the crop which was now softer than the first day. By roosting time, she was very listless and not wanting to drink. I figured she might pass during the night, which is what happened. I was really surprised by the quick change from the day before.
Kept her body in the snow and then performed necropsy on Tuesday afternoon. I expected her crop to have something more obviously causing issue, although it was quite full.
*3 things that stood out:
- gizzard almost seemed to have stopped moving things through? - Proventriculus had an almost black colored substance inside.
- Throughout most of her intestines was a bright yellow fluid. Maybe infection?

I know that only a proper necropsy would give answers but unfortunately that wasn't an option in my area.

Thank you all for any insight

 

[Sally PB]

Tagging some people who might have some insight:
@azygous
@Wyorp Rock
@Eggcessive

 

[azygous]

What about her poop as she was coming down sick? Was it yellow and foamy?

The yellow fluid in the intestine can indicate bacterial infection.

 

[Eggcessive]

Was there much fat inside the body? The liver color looks abnormal for sure. Do you have poultry granite grit for digestion? Do you use a balanced chicken feed? It looks like a lot of scratch grains in the crop and gizzard. The yellow sure looks like yolk, so maybe there was a reproductive problem or internal laying. Otherwise, I don’t have any advice.

 

[HorsechickCC]

What about her poop as she was coming down sick? Was it yellow and foamy?

The yellow fluid in the intestine can indicate bacterial infection.

I didn't notice any abnormal poops beforehand. The ones I did see while she was sick were very small and watery, but no yellow. A bit more green than usual. The last poop I saw her pass the day she died, shot out and looked like mostly pure water.

 

[HorsechickCC]

Was there much fat inside the body? The liver color looks abnormal for sure. Do you have poultry granite grit for digestion? Do you use a balanced chicken feed? It looks like a lot of scratch grains in the crop and gizzard. The yellow sure looks like yolk, so maybe there was a reproductive problem or internal laying. Otherwise, I don’t have any advice.

I really didn't notice any excessive amounts of fat. They are on a balanced 18% layer feed and get some whole grains once per day. They have access to the outside where there's lots of gravel, sand etc. But I also thought that large accumulation of grains in her crop was not good. I agree, the yellow fluid definitely looked like yolk.