Possible crop issue

[KentuckyRooster]

So we recently got back Magnum, a big polish rooster who is joining our other two house boys. He had been staying with a friend. Anyway, that's not really relevant. What is important is he's home where he belongs and he has a problem.

He has stinky breath, kind of sour. I wonder if he might have a problem in his crop, I'm concerned about sour crop. He seems fine, is pooping normally and such, but I don't want to wait if he is not fine, and let it get worse. Magnum is very special to us. I was thinking I'd give him some yoghurt to eat and Apple cider vinegar in his water and see if that helps. It did feel soft when I felt it last night. I haven't got the boys out yet today, they've been in their respective cages but I'm going to get everyone out here really soon so I will feel it again then.

What should I do, if anything?

 

[Meg-in-MT]

From your description, it sounds like sour crop. Has he been eating? By the end of the day his crop should be full and firm, if he is.

 

[KentuckyRooster]

He is eating. It feels like there's food in there but he definitely has sour crop. There's no mistaking the smell.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

I'm sorry, I wish I could help you. Do you have a vet you can take him to? Antibiotics might be best. I haven't heard whether draining the crop (by tipping them upsidedown) has real successful or not. It wasn't for me.

 

[Teila]

This is an awesome article which I think will be helpful:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...d-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments.67194/

Fingers crossed that Magnum is OK

 

[KentuckyRooster]

Thank you.

I've dosed him with ACV and baytril for tonight and I'm going to get him some monistat and yogurt tomorrow. He already smells better with the ACV though. Poor guy.

 

[KentuckyRooster]

I'm sorry, I wish I could help you. Do you have a vet you can take him to? Antibiotics might be best. I haven't heard whether draining the crop (by tipping them upsidedown) has real successful or not. It wasn't for me.

I have baytril. I do have a vet if I can't get him righted quickly at home I'll take him in. I won't be vomiting him as I am not willing to risk aspiration. I'll have the vet pump him before I do that.

 

[KentuckyRooster]

He smells WAY better, it's very faint today. I got him both an avian probiotic and an avian antifungal meant for sour crops. He's been dosed with Batril, ACV, and the probiotic and antifungal this evening. I think I'll be able to get him straightened out.

Poor dude. He's really good for medicine though. Surprised he's so cooperative about literally drinking vinegar.