NY chicken lover!!!!

[LuvMyChicks1491]

I went out tonight to close up and one of my favorite chickens looked like her head was wet. I have noticed that she was staying in the coop more then normal for a few days, but I just thought that she was going broody. When I picked her up to check her out...thought that she might have lice or mites the way that her crest looked...I looked her all over, then I noticed that her crop was squishy...so I tipped her forward a little and she poured out...I'm pretty sure that it is SOUR CROP!! I don't want to lose her. Then first/last hen that had sour crop I didn't know till it was too late and I couldn't save her...But I can't let that happen to my Sasha! She is such a sweet girl and loves to be held!

I was just trying to look up what to do...Any suggestions?

 

[Gramma Chick]

I went out tonight to close up and one of my favorite chickens looked like her head was wet. I have noticed that she was staying in the coop more then normal for a few days, but I just thought that she was going broody. When I picked her up to check her out...thought that she might have lice or mites the way that her crest looked...I looked her all over, then I noticed that her crop was squishy...so I tipped her forward a little and she poured out...I'm pretty sure that it is SOUR CROP!! I don't want to lose her. Then first/last hen that had sour crop I didn't know till it was too late and I couldn't save her...But I can't let that happen to my Sasha! She is such a sweet girl and loves to be held!

I was just trying to look up what to do...Any suggestions?

Rancher is giving away older Birchen Marans

Give her a stool softener ...it drys up the crop .
From my Chick med files
SOUR IMPACTED CROP -
A: Impacted vs Pendulous vs Sour Crops
Although there are several presentations for crop issues in chickens, the root cause, and the actual disease is usually the same. When chickens gorge themselves on long, fibrous foods, their crop (and occasionally gizzard) can become blocked. Sometimes this results in an impacted crop, which is a crop that is full of a tangle of fibre that is firm, dry and relatively hard. Sometimes, the bird will drink a lot to try to help pass the blockage....this will result in sour crop, which is a crop full of watery, half-rotten, acidic soup that actually smells worse than it sounds. Sour crop may also be associated with fungal infection, although there is some question about whether the fungus causes the poor emptying of the crop, or is a result of it. Finally, if the crop (which is basically a sac of smooth muscle) becomes damaged, the muscle will fail, and the crop loses its form and tension. Unfortunately, it also loses much of its function. This is what results in “pendulous crop”....the sac is saggy and enlarged.
The main factor in crop problems is prevention. DON’T give your hens access to long, lush, springy grass, twine or other long, stringy things that they can eat. DO make sure that there is plenty of good, palatable water near where the hens will be foraging. If you yard is large, and you have some “bully” birds, it is a good idea to provide a few “drinking stations” where timid birds can get some water while they are feeding
These problems are more prevalent in the spring, when the grass is lush, and less likely to break when the hens peck at them. This is especially true when the hens are coming into lay, and have large appetites that may cause them to gorge themselves when they get the chance. You should cut your grass fairly short before releasing your hens for the first time in the spring, and if the cuttings are long, rake them up. Naturally, keeping strings and twine away from the hens is a good idea.
Do NOT use cider vinegar to treat this, as it only adds to the acid burden. Treatment with an anti-fungal agent might be of value, but often, once the sour crop is dealt with and the hen is back to eating well, it is unnecessary.
Treatment for crop disorders involves 1) emptying them as appropriate and 2) treating for secondary infections if necessary. Sour crop can be helped by holding the bird face-down, at about a 60 degree angle, and massaging the crop towards the throat....the stinky mess should come out like vomit, and reduce the swelling. Be sure to let the hen breathe between bouts of massaging, and keep her inside for a couple days after, feeding soft foods and adding a little bit (1tbsp/gallon) of baking soda to the drinking water to combat the acidity.
Impacted crop can be treated by flushing the crop with water to help soften up the “ball”. Using a syringe and tube, put water gently into the esophagus, behind the opening at the back of the throat that goes to the lungs. Gently massage the crop several times per day, softening the mass. Adding some vegetable oil may help a little, but you will usually get reasonable results from water alone. I would NOT recommend surgery on your own....if you cannot get the impaction resolved through massage, water and oil, contact a vet to help you out....gastrointestinal surgery has a HUGE potential to go horribly wrong in an amateur’s hands.
If the crop becomes pendulous, there is little you can do to help. Feeding very digestible food will help her health, massaging the food through the crop and allowing it to empty fairly regularly will help as well, but the crop will seldom return to normal. This problem is considered to be fairly heritable, so hens with pendulous crops should likely not be used for breeding.

 

[fireredcannon]

So the bear went in the coop took my bag of bedding and the 30lb feeder and dragged them outside...this is getting annoying

 

[Gramma Chick]

So the bear went in the coop took my bag of bedding and the 30lb feeder and dragged them outside...this is getting annoying

Do you have in a plastic sealed container ?
you can get lg 5 gallon ? sealable plastic containers from Walmart..
Free or for .10 or more .
Ask at the deli for a frosting container

 

[fireredcannon]

I have a 20 gallon metal trash can(16$ at runnings new

) that I keep 100lbs of feed in. I get paid every 2 weeks and it lasts just about that long. But I have a Harris 30 lb hanging feeder that was pulled off the hanger and dragged out into the run where the black offender broke in. also dragged my bale of wood shavings out there too. This is not my first problem with this bear this year and I don't expect it to be my last. But I will win!

 

[fireredcannon]

so I heard a thump in the night only to find the maybe 120 lb black bear had returned.i watched as he almost in spite of me swiped my fence down...I am .. angry

 

[tao chick]

so I heard a thump in the night only to find the maybe 120 lb black bear had returned.i watched as he almost in spite of me swiped my fence down...I am .. angry

DEC tries to manage nuisance bears. Try calling them.

 

[tao chick]

Rancher is giving away older Birchen Marans

Give her a stool softener ...it drys up the crop .
From my Chick med files
SOUR IMPACTED CROP -

 A: Impacted vs Pendulous vs Sour Crops

Although there are several presentations for crop issues in chickens, the root cause, and the actual disease is usually the same.  When chickens gorge themselves on long, fibrous foods, their crop (and occasionally gizzard) can become blocked.  Sometimes this results in an impacted crop, which is a crop that is full of a tangle of fibre that is firm, dry and relatively hard.  Sometimes, the bird will drink a lot to try to help pass the blockage....this will result in sour crop, which is a crop full of watery, half-rotten, acidic soup that actually smells worse than it sounds.  Sour crop may also be associated with fungal infection, although there is some question about whether the fungus causes the poor emptying of the crop, or is a result of it.  Finally, if the crop (which is basically a sac of smooth muscle) becomes damaged, the muscle will fail, and the crop loses its form and tension.  Unfortunately, it also loses much of its function.  This is what results in “pendulous crop”....the sac is saggy and enlarged.

The main factor in crop problems is prevention. DON’T give your hens access to long, lush, springy grass, twine or other long, stringy things that they can eat. DO make sure that there is plenty of good, palatable water near where the hens will be foraging. If you yard is large, and you have some “bully” birds, it is a good idea to provide a few “drinking stations” where timid birds can get some water while they are feeding
These problems are more prevalent in the spring, when the grass is lush, and less likely to break when the hens peck at them.  This is especially true when the hens are coming into lay, and have large appetites that may cause them to gorge themselves when they get the chance.  You should cut your grass fairly short before releasing your hens for the first time in the spring, and if the cuttings are long, rake them up.  Naturally, keeping strings and twine away from the hens is a good idea.

Do NOT use cider vinegar to treat this, as it only adds to the acid burden. Treatment with an anti-fungal agent might be of value, but often, once the sour crop is dealt with and the hen is back to eating well, it is unnecessary.
Treatment for crop disorders involves 1) emptying them as appropriate and 2) treating for secondary infections if necessary.  Sour crop can be helped by holding the bird face-down, at about a 60 degree angle, and massaging the crop towards the throat....the stinky mess should come out like vomit, and reduce the swelling.  Be sure to let the hen breathe between bouts of massaging, and keep her inside for a couple days after, feeding soft foods and adding a little bit (1tbsp/gallon) of baking soda to the drinking water to combat the acidity.
Impacted crop can be treated by flushing the crop with water to help soften up the “ball”.  Using a syringe and tube, put water gently into the esophagus, behind the opening at the back of the throat that goes to the lungs.  Gently massage the crop several times per day, softening the mass.  Adding some vegetable oil may help a little, but you will usually get reasonable results from water alone.  I would NOT recommend surgery on your own....if you cannot get the impaction resolved through massage, water and oil, contact a vet to help you out....gastrointestinal surgery has a HUGE potential to go horribly wrong in an amateur’s hands.
If the crop becomes pendulous, there is little you can do to help.  Feeding very digestible food will help her health, massaging the food through the crop and allowing it to empty fairly regularly will help as well, but the crop will seldom return to normal.  This problem is considered to be fairly heritable, so hens with pendulous crops should likely not be used for breeding.

 

Great information. I'm glad you're here with your med files. I really should start keeping my own files.

 

[tao chick]

> 40 eggs in the bator. 22 chickens including 1 too many roosters. I need to expand the run in the small coop. And countless other chores and goals.
Getting ready for my baby boy to start pre-K next month. I've been a stay at home mom for 8 years. I've been asked by many "what will you do now?" (as if the mom job gets easier when they're in school) and I'm honestly torn between so many ideas. I've started the chicken and garden "business" (although it is still very early), so I know that will take much of my free time. The other considerations are renewing my social worker license and working part time or volunteering in that field or simply volunteering my time when and where I can. It will be an interesting transition for me.
I have multiple hens taking a break from laying. Cleaned/freshened the nest boxes to see if that helps.

I hope all is well.

 

[rancher hicks]

I have four marans hens to GIVE away. Laying 1-2 eggs a day. I am going to downsize.

Too I am frustrated and discouraged. Two hens sitting on eggs. Both with green eggs. Checked yesterday hearing noises since they are due today.

One had a squashed chick last night, her other egg is gone.

The other has a dead chick half out of the egg this am. The other egg pipping. I will have to keep checking.

A barred chick died yesterday. Not sure what happened but it didn't feel right. Body wise that is. Puffy and soft. I expect an internal thing.

I have an EE pullet trying to sit but she's not getting any eggs.

The garden is disappointing to say the least. Squash not going to give up anything. I will be ripping out the plants as there are lots of flowers but no squash.

Tomatoes not good. Four plants were not what the label said. Rather little yellows and not to my liking. Those that came up on their own have done better.

Peppers turning red but small in size.

Today I'll be digging up the garlic.

So anyhow I'd like these hens gone to save money. Perhaps others too as the mood moves me. I haven't made any decisions on the chicks but some will at least have to go.