Questions about treating a likely pendulous crop, maybe?

[serenden]

Well to be honest he was young when this all started so because I wasn’t sure if it would get better over time I kept it on him for a couple of years. After a couple of years I did take it off of him and he lives for another year and a half. Then he never had it come back. But he did pass away in his sleep I believe from a heart condition. So I can’t really say whether it should have been on him for life or not perhaps it could have come off earlier perhaps it was good that he kept it on as long as he did. I can’t tell you that I can only tell you what I experienced.

Okay, understand. Thank you!

 

[serenden]

Although I have never used a crop bra, I have read from experienced BYC members that the bra needs to be positioned just right to work. It would need to be permanent if your chicken has a pendulous crop.

Thank you!

 

[serenden]

I was able to snap some photos of Lily today, to show her crop shape... especially when looking at her from the front, it seems to hang quite low. Any opinions?

I also made a crop bra out of Vet Tape, although it seemed to slip a bit to the side later in the afternoon. By the end of today, after two coconut oil doses and massages, and allowed to free feed, her crop was still squishy and a bit larger. I can't feel any mass in there now though...

 

[Cryss]

Vetwrap is stretchy so it can come lose. After you make one it helps to stretch it out a bit before applying. I’d suggest you use that while waiting on an order for one or more of these. I’ve always tied it right shoulder to left waist, left shoulder to right waist. Then check for adjustments, can you put 2 fingers under the straps and does the square cover the crop. http://www.hensaver.com/Crop-Bra.html

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is another thread by azygous with a pattern for a crop bra in post 1-5:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/making-a-crop-bra-for-a-hen-with-pendulous-crop.1464848/

 

[azygous]

Yes, she is a big crop girl. Pendulous crop hangs so low that the crop can never empty completely, so it keeps dragging lower, getting worse. Go look at the pattern @Eggcessive linked to. I eventually added a small foam insert to it, and it works like a push-up bra to support the crop.

Another thing you can do, and the hen will enjoy, is to hold her and elevate the crop in one hand whille gently manipulating the crop contents to move them in an upward motion. This can empty some of the crop and make her more comfortable. Have her wear the bra 24 hours a day until the crop is emptying overnight. You will need to keep adjusting the crop to get a good fit. You'll know the fit is correct if the contents empty.

 

[serenden]

Vetwrap is stretchy so it can come lose. After you make one it helps to stretch it out a bit before applying. I’d suggest you use that while waiting on an order for one or more of these. I’ve always tied it right shoulder to left waist, left shoulder to right waist. Then check for adjustments, can you put 2 fingers under the straps and does the square cover the crop. http://www.hensaver.com/Crop-Bra.html

Thanks! I have a sewing machine, I may attempt to make another one at home then, based on the links you sent.

Should the straps not be too tight then, if I can put 2 fingers underneath? I was thinking they should be pretty tight for maximum support, but it sounds like not so much.

I did do the cross cross on the back.

Also - do you tend to adjust so the bottom strap is fully underneath the crop, or just slightly on top of it? It should fit on like a regular bra, right? I'm guessing I'll just need to adjust until I see her crop is emptying, like azygous said.

You guys are life savers, literally. I so appreciate the help.

 

[serenden]

Yes, she is a big crop girl. Pendulous crop hangs so low that the crop can never empty completely, so it keeps dragging lower, getting worse. Go look at the pattern @Eggcessive linked to. I eventually added a small foam insert to it, and it works like a push-up bra to support the crop.

Another thing you can do, and the hen will enjoy, is to hold her and elevate the crop in one hand whille gently manipulating the crop contents to move them in an upward motion. This can empty some of the crop and make her more comfortable. Have her wear the bra 24 hours a day until the crop is emptying overnight. You will need to keep adjusting the crop to get a good fit. You'll know the fit is correct if the contents empty.

So helpful, thank you. I replied to Cryss as well, I'll refer to both links to make another bra.

Off to see how Lily's crop is this morning!

 

[serenden]

Well, her crop is the same this morning. I'll work on a better bra. She didn't seem too interested in food right when they woke up, but she did poop and went to perch. Her poop is definitely soft, just firm enough to hold it's shape.

I'm guessing that as long as the liquid in her crop doesn't turn sour, I just want to try to help it move as much as I can?

 

[serenden]

Update and a question!
With Lily -- this morning her crop is finally rid of all the liquid that's been sloshing around for a few days! Except she seems to have a small lumpy bit of what feels like doughy crop.
It now matches her friend Blackberry's crop (who I'm also posting about in another thread, and who, this morning, has a much smaller crop than yesterday, but still a bit doughy and lumpy. She got the cayenne/ginger/cinn/lemon mixture the last 2 days).

I believe these may have been caused by either: a sudden feed change (my local store was out of their regular feed, and so was I...) and/or they had started to peck at a wheat straw bale in their run (it has now been removed). Maybe it got stuck?

QUESTION: I've read both of the main articles about crop issues on this site. Shall I start them both on a miconazole treatment, or look for acidified copper sulfate and treat with that?

They're both pooping soft but basically normal. They've each had some watery poo, but it's also been unseasonably warm here this week. They're both laying. Blackberry has a healthy appetite for the new food. Lily gets pecked out of the way early in the morning, so I'll watch to see her appetite today. She gobbled up some solid coconut oil twice yesterday before her massages.

I really can't thank you enough for participating in this site and any help you give!