Pendulous crop causing Sour-crop, what feeds will prevent this in the other birds?

[Kimmylovesfluffychickens]

hello I have a couple of hens that seem to be suffering sour-crop, the worst by far is Marmalade the golden comet. I have started all my birds on some Apple cider vinegar just in case there are others I haven't noticed yet. But my main concern is the fact that the two I have noticed symptoms from have enlarged crops that I had read could be a symptom of Pendulous crop, and if this is the case I want to know what type of feed I should switch to as I've read that pellet feeds can be a cause. I already know I may need a crop bra for them, but I want to prevent all others getting this problem. I just want to know if there is a specific brand that is much better than the Poulin Grains I've been using. I have looked up feeds that are not all pellets yet there have been mixed reviews about them.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

Do you have photos of the hens and their poop?

How old are they?
When are you checking their crops?
Check the crop first thing in the morning before they have had anything to eat/drink - are the crops empty/flat or still full and pendulous?
Is there a sour odor on their breath?
Do you provide poultry grit (crushed granite) for your hens?
Have you ever dewormed your hens?

There's not a feed that you will specifically feed to avoid crop issues. A crop that is slow or soured can be caused by numerous things. Eating a lot of long fibrous material that is impacting or slowing the crop, not having suitable grit to process foodstuff, sometimes underlying conditions like reproductive disorders, worms, coccidiosis and/or infection can be causing symptoms as well.

I highly recommend that you read both of these articles in their entirety to help better understand crop symptoms and some of the causes. Each author in their own right are knowledgeable well-respected members of the BYC community. Their treatment options are not quite the same, but I have used both articles to treat my own birds in the past with success.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ntion-and-treatments-of-crop-disorders.67194/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/