Oh NO! Another problem in our tiny flock... impacted crop now?

[SeaChick]

Thanks for your responses... it helps not to feel so alone in trying to figure this out!

thnrdancr-
I'm giving the yogurt now but my understanding was that -IF it is sour crop- anribiotics (terramycin) would be bad for that condition because they'd kill the beneficial bacteria (as well as the bad), exascerbating the situation.

Are you saying that I should try the terramycin anyway?

Redwa-
I'm only feeding yogurt and water/ACV right now. Last night she had some hand-feeding formula in the yogurt. No grass, no pellets since yesterday noon.

The crop, this morning, seemed to have about 1/3 the amount of fibrous material in it. Then I gave her a small amount of bread with LOTS of olive oil, and about 1/4 cup yogurt. Now the crop is filled up like a balloon but it's not the same solid fibrous feeling as before. Feels like its totally full of yogurt, actually, although that can't be because I didn't give her that much. Massaging it, I don't feel any more fibrous material.

As mentioned, the last poop, about an hour ago, was only water with relatively undigested pellets, which she hadn't had in about 18 hours. How long does a chickens digestion normally take, does anyone know? How about how long the crop takes to empty normally after eating?

Thanks
Stacey

 

[thndrdancr]

No, I meant u were doing right, I wouldnt give her terramycin I dont think just yet, especially if it is sour crop. I know I couldnt let loose of over $100 for a new hen as well, as she could have a repeated health issue with this, or another underlying one you dont know about just yet, you just dont know her history.
I just meant that the yogurt is beneficial to the good bacteria, it sounded like that woman said since you gave her yogurt, you now need antibiotics. Thats the way I read it, but I dont have my eyes open properly this morn.
I havent experienced this prob thus far, and hope you have luck, I have no idea how fast they normally digest.

Sorry I cant give you more info.

 

[SeaChick]

Well, I found the answer to my question:
2 hours after stopping eating, most of the feed in the crop will be solubalized and passed into the stomach or gizzard. The crop is almost empty.
4 hours after- crop completely empty.

So it's been 3 hours and her crop is still swelled up like a balloon. So something's wrong. BUT it's different from yesterday, when it was a fibrous mass. Now just squishy.

What does this indicate?

Some type of blockage? Or the "sour crop" bacteria (I have not smelled any foul smell on her breath, though.)?

How I WISH one of these vets would talk to me about this without charging me $150!

 

[rooster-red]

Try to find a vet school that has an avian program and give them a call to see if they can give you advise over the phone.

They're not as motivated by $, so they will probably help you.

 

[dlhunicorn]

I would stop the yogurt...it may be initiating some kind of fermention within the the straw that is in there ... (no more bread for the same reason)
I fear at this point you really need help ... keep up the manual massage until you get it. (I really feel that a "normal" vet could also help you out...you just need to find one that is sympathetic to the fact that this bird is your pet and therefore will be sympathetic to your goal of saving the bird without it costing you an arm and a leg)

 

[redwa]

I hate to say it but I think most vets would say at this point that she needs to have surgery to remove the mass. It probably won't go away on its own now and it sounds like the lining of the crop may be irritated, rendering it less effective. The ballooning effect is usually due to an increase in water retention in the crop area. When one of my girls was in that same situation we tried numerous things, all to no avail. Ended up doing surgery.

 

[Frozen Feathers]

Seachick
You can try contacting Gray Animal Farm. They rescue and rehabilitate wild turkeys, peacocks, quail, pheasants and many other wild birds. If they are not able to help, I'm sure they can direct you to a veterinarian who works with birds.
The only veterinarian school in Maine is in Orono.

 

[SeaChick]

Aw, jeez, you guys... now I am really worried. I talked to a whole bunch of vets and bird folks this morning and no one would help without seeing her. I can try going through the phone book again though.

Ok, no more yogurt or bread or ACV. It seems right about the fermentation... that was my thought as well. Poor girl. What about soft cooked oatmeal? I just gave her some of that because she just seems so thin. (Along with a small chunk of bread soaked in mineral oil)

Now, I should say that she's ACTING fine.... not droopy or sick. But she just felt thin to me. Although, of course, she's so new to us that I do not know how she was before. But I did feel that starving her wouldn't do her crop or body any good and I tried for something bland and soft that would be easy to pass through the crop in case there's still any obstruction there. But to be honest I don't feel ANYTHING solid or fibrous in there like yesterday. That may be all gone now. All her poops today were either fibrous or pellet-y, except the last one that had a different-colored, different textured part to it... instead of dark green, fibrous, it was caca-brown soft.

I will call some more vets.

Barring finding one to help (and I finally heard back from my husband who's on the boat in the middle of the Atlantic--- and he is against taking her to a vet

) my plan is to watch-and-wait till tomorrow morning and see if the gassy crop is down. Can I feed her a bit to keep her strength up? Banana? Oatmeal? Applesauce (I'm thinking of the BRAT diet pediatricians recommend for sick kids)

And what do you guys think about the flaky feather-quill stuff? Is that normal or a sign of malnutrition or dehydration?

THANK YOU

 

[arlee453]

Sounds like good news that her crop is not swollen and her poos are more normal today! You may have gotten to her in time to keep it from becoming totally impacted and/or sour.

Now, what about chick starter? Could you feed her that for a while until this resolves to give her crop time to heal, along with the yogurt? I know that it's easy enough to digest that baby chicks who get only starter don't require grit, so maybe would pass through the crop easily?

Maybe very small amounts every 3-4 hours along with unlimited water and grit and yogurt a couple times a day?

Anyone think that's a good or bad idea??

Glad to hear she's a bit better with the crop today!

 

[SeaChick]

Hi arlee453-

Thanks for the kind words. Actually her crop is still swollen, just not filled with the solid stuff like yesterday. Now it is all squishy, and fermented feeling

I have stopped yogurt and bread and ACV for fear too much of those tipped the balance the other way. I have an email in to the State Vet and hoping he may have some advice.

She is not yet acting sick or droopy so I am trying not to lose my mind with worry....

Stacey