***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[lonnyandrinda]

I've heard and read all about it but today I get hands on experience... unfortunately. I have a white leghorn pullet with an impacted crop. She's been acting off for 4-5 days and I just figured it out this morning. Prayers and good thoughts my way please!!!!

 

[Kyzmette]

I've heard and read all about it but today I get hands on experience... unfortunately.  I have a white leghorn pullet with an impacted crop.  She's been acting off for 4-5 days and I just figured it out this morning.  Prayers and good thoughts my way please!!!!

You need @Ksane, superchickenmama at large, to come to your rescue! She's brave enough to do crop surgery.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Well I'm hoping I did all right. I'm really surprised there was no straw, it was all chopped grass and feed. But given the quantity and how hard it was, it definitely wasn't going to move on it's own. I did end up supergluing it shut, I've heard various opinions of that but everything was laying nicely to superglue. Didn't have a scalpel so I sterilized my tiny sewing scissors. They worked great.



I found her at lunchtime sprawled in the sun looking just about done in. I think she was heat stroking. Bathed her to cool her off and clean her up, did the surgery, dried her, and treated for mites/lice (there were a lot). Ugh poor girl. She keeps sitting back on her tail with her head/neck cocked to the side. Gave her some Poly-vi-sol and put probiotics in her water, I assume no food for today. I'm just going to let her rest for now.

 

[Ksane]

I've heard and read all about it but today I get hands on experience... unfortunately.  I have a white leghorn pullet with an impacted crop.  She's been acting off for 4-5 days and I just figured it out this morning.  Prayers and good thoughts my way please!!!!

You need @Ksane, superchickenmama at large, to come to your rescue! She's brave enough to do crop surgery.

It's not bravery, it's desperation! I've done it 3 different times now with great results. My husband ordered me absorbable sutures and that makes it a lot easier than having to worry about what's going to happen to cotton thread inside of them.
Another thing-make the cut horizontal at the top of their crop. That way their liquid diet doesn't have a chance to pool and drain out of the incision (some people had that problem) because the incision is way up at the top and gravity pulls the food down to the bottom of the crop. Some people suture crop muscle and skin together as one, I've done them as 2 separate layers though. And i keep them on a mushy layer pellet soup diet for 3-4 days. Nothing except a tiny bit of water the day of surgery.
Can't wait to hear how it goes!

 

[Ksane]

Well I'm hoping I did all right. I'm really surprised there was no straw, it was all chopped grass and feed. But given the quantity and how hard it was, it definitely wasn't going to move on it's own. I did end up supergluing it shut, I've heard various opinions of that but everything was laying nicely to superglue. Didn't have a scalpel so I sterilized my tiny sewing scissors. They worked great. I found her at lunchtime sprawled in the sun looking just about done in. I think she was heat stroking. Bathed her to cool her off and clean her up, did the surgery, dried her, and treated for mites/lice (there were a lot). Ugh poor girl. She keeps sitting back on her tail with her head/neck cocked to the side. Gave her some Poly-vi-sol and put probiotics in her water, I assume no food for today. I'm just going to let her rest for now.

I was posting the same time as you. Yea, that definitely wasn't going to pass. Grass balls up just like straw does. I don't know why some birds have problems with it and most don't. The last one had her crop jam packed with all the grains I was getting mixed for their feed from the grain mill. I guess it just sat there and couldn't pass. I've gone back to pelletd feed because of that. At least pelleted feed breaks down into mush in their crop and can always pass. You did awesome!!!

 

[artsyrobin]

Quote: the way i ferment is a 5 gal bucket fill with feed a scoop of scratch and add water and 1/4 acv it will expand and after a few days smell like sourdough starter, my guys love it, i just add more as it goes down, i give them a small bucket in the evening, so that is their treat- they do get free choice of crumble also.

free ranging, mine come in at dusk and put themselves away- yours are young like toddlers and don't want to quit playing...LOL!

 

[ashtree]

Well I'm hoping I did all right. I'm really surprised there was no straw, it was all chopped grass and feed. But given the quantity and how hard it was, it definitely wasn't going to move on it's own. I did end up supergluing it shut, I've heard various opinions of that but everything was laying nicely to superglue. Didn't have a scalpel so I sterilized my tiny sewing scissors. They worked great.



I found her at lunchtime sprawled in the sun looking just about done in. I think she was heat stroking. Bathed her to cool her off and clean her up, did the surgery, dried her, and treated for mites/lice (there were a lot). Ugh poor girl. She keeps sitting back on her tail with her head/neck cocked to the side. Gave her some Poly-vi-sol and put probiotics in her water, I assume no food for today. I'm just going to let her rest for now.

WOW. That was a lot of grass and feed. Awesome job! Its inspiring to see so many chicken folks faced with a problem and handle it at home.

I have much to learn.

 

[JacobH]

the way i ferment is a 5 gal bucket fill with feed a scoop of scratch and add water and 1/4 acv it will expand and after a few days smell like sourdough starter, my guys love it, i just add more as it goes down, i give them a small bucket in the evening, so that is their treat- they do get free choice of crumble also.

free ranging, mine come in at dusk and put themselves away- yours are young like toddlers and don't want to quit playing...LOL!

I do fermented feed the same way, but with starter/grower crumbles at the moment.

Same with my free range flock. I normal feed them dinner about the same time, but if I don't show up on time they just head up to the roost bars and wait for me to come close the door.

 

[TRUE5]

Robin, how are you keeping the mice out of your fermented feed? I have considered starting a batch again but we now have mice in our garage but have always had some in the shop building. So frustraiting. By the way, how are ya doin? It's been awhile since I heard from you!

I have a batch of pullets just starting to lay! I'm pretty excited because oneveryone of my olive Eggers has given me 3 beautiful green eggs so far. Egg production was down but with this cooler weather I have been getting up to 8 eggs a day. That's a lot of eggs for us! I need ideas on what to do with so many!
What are your all doing to use up so many eggs??!!! So far it's hard boiling and then also angel food cake. I need more ideas!

I am still trying to get a new home for 4 of my hens. Trying to find someone to take two of each breed because they are pretty attached to each other. I have had offers but it's a "hold it for me please" then when it comes to the day they change their mind usually due to finances. So, I'm still putting this outogether there...
2 Lavender Orpingtons 2 Dorkings. All girls, all laying. Orpingtons are a hoot! They are so use to people they will steal your food from your hand! $30 for 2. For BYCers $50 for all 4. I need to get my non SFH hens a new home. Otherwise I would keep them. I won't take them to auction because I want to make sure they get a good home.

 

[Ksane]

Robin, how are you keeping the mice out of your fermented feed? I have considered starting a batch again but we now have mice in our garage but have always had some in the shop building. So frustraiting. By the way, how are ya doin? It's been awhile since I heard from you!

I have a batch of pullets just starting to lay! I'm pretty excited because oneveryone of my olive Eggers has given me 3 beautiful green eggs so far. Egg production was down but with this cooler weather I have been getting up to 8 eggs a day. That's a lot of eggs for us! I need ideas on what to do with so many!
What are your all doing to use up so many eggs??!!! So far it's hard boiling and then also angel food cake. I need more ideas!

I am still trying to get a new home for 4 of my hens. Trying to find someone to take two of each breed because they are pretty attached to each other. I have had offers but it's a "hold it for me please" then when it comes to the day they change their mind usually due to finances. So, I'm still putting this outogether there...
2 Lavender Orpingtons 2 Dorkings. All girls, all laying. Orpingtons are a hoot! They are so use to people they will steal your food from your hand! $30 for 2. For BYCers $50 for all 4. I need to get my non SFH hens a new home. Otherwise I would keep them. I won't take them to auction because I want to make sure they get a good home.

Where are you at?? I'd fight for the Dorkings lol