Please help with what may be Sour Crop

[paxicotrader]

I would really hold off on solid food right now, including the yogurt. And I agree that since she has vomited and it took a lot out of her, don't do that again UNLESS you sees signs of blockage in a day or so.

You need to wait at least 1 or two days until you are sure she can pass waste again. Only after she has passed waste, introduce soft foods like yogurt, finely mashed apple or soft overcooked veggies.

Keep her on liquid and keep her isolated and monitor her waste output (if any) closely.

 

[tcbosco1]

Today her crop feels like a balloon slightly filled with air (not hard, a bit squishy). Yesterday it felt like a waterballoon.

Now when I massage it, she burps (no discernable smell, good or bad!)

Today she passed a very small yellow liquid stool with some small solid black lumps.

She is drinking water.

There is an avian vet in the area, however probably due to our proximity to Boston, VERY expen$ive. I am inclined to play the wait-and-see game, as she is drinking water and seems much perkier today.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I will try the yogurt in time.

 

[rainierlass]

You can buy the ACV with the 'mother' in it at any health food store such as GNC .......I buy the Braggs brand

http://www.bragg.com/products/acv.html

 

[Tilly's Nest]

It sounds like she is fermenting. This can be from both yeast and bacteria that like to live where oxygen does not exist (anaerobic bacteria). I believe that garlic can be a natural cure for this. Garlic is safe for chickens. It is just not advised, because their eggs can end up tasting like it. I'm sure you can find how to do it somewhere on this fabulous site.

Good luck and keep us posted

Melissa
www.tillysnest.com

 

[tcbosco1]

Hi everyone!

She seems to be doing slightly better - eating some yogurt, drinking water, and passing something (yellow liquid with small blackish lumps). Given the minimal amount of food she has eaten, I suppose the stool is what should be expected.

Her crop still feels very strange to me - very liquidy. When I massage it, I can hear liquid sloshing around in there. Also, I guess I am squeezing air out, as she burps a little when I do this. Again, perhaps this is to be expected as she has only eaten yogurt and water over the past 3 days.

Her eyes seem brighter and she is perkier.

If she shows interest in eating her regular layer pellets, should I give them to her? Perhaps if I soften them first with water?

I think she would be up for free-ranging if I let her. Is this a good or bad idea?

LOTS of people have suggested giving her scrambled eggs. I know its probably good for her, but, like in that commercial where the pigs are eating bacon and pork in the restaurant, it just seems wrong to me!!!!

Thanks for all of your great advice and concern! I'd have been lost without your support!

 

[Tilly's Nest]

I would not let her free range. I think okay if she shows interest in her regular food. She might end up needing antibiotics or an antifungal medication. See how she is doing before the weekend..... you might want to come down to Brewster. My last visit for a sour crop only costed me about $60 including medication. Try the garlic as well.
Hang in there I know it is tough!

Melissa
www.tillysnest.com

 

[tcbosco1]

Thanks for the advice, Melissa.

Now, just how do I feed her garlic? Do I cook it first? Give it to her raw? Chop it up?

As she hasn't given us any eggs in a year, I'm not worried about the garlic "tainting" her eggs! : )

 

[Tilly's Nest]

Hi this is what I found on the internet:


Garlic:
Some people say that garlic boosts the immune system. People have been using it for thousands of years, and there is some evidence there to support it. If you use it then put one or two garlic cloves, unpeeled, uncrushed into the water and leave there until they start to sprout. Make sure there is enough water there at all times.

It is at this site: http://professorchicken.webs.com/feeding.htm


Garlic
Feeding Garlic at 3% and up to 7% of your hens diet will prevent
flees, mites, adding garlic to their water will prevent worm
infestations. Garlic boosts the immunity against many diseases and
aids in longevity. Garlic will add a delicious (in my opinion –
everyone LOVES my eggs) flavor to the eggs and also cuts down on the
ammonia content in the feces making it much easier to clean the coop.

Here is this site: http://gardentenders.com/members/Xploreorganics/blog/40

I hope this helps, perhaps more might be found on the internet, or you could start a new post here and ask about the garlic.

Good luck!

 

[tcbosco1]

Thanks!

 

[TwoCrows]

Try out this link.

http://justcockatiels.weebly.com/sour-and-slow-crop-remedies.html

I recently had a 1 week old Australorp baby with what I thought was a slow moving crop. Her crop was huge and somewhat hard. I used the spice mix here, ( I didn't have any garlic to add). I used this on her for 4 days and eventually the entire thing moved. I don't know if something was stuck in there or her intestinal fortitude was just lacking. She is now fine and enjoying life more than ever.