Roo ate all the grit, impacted crop?

[apollora]

Hoping someone can help with some advice.

I’ve been working out of town the last few weeks, leaving the house early and getting home late so apart from making sure everyone has food and water I haven’t been very observant of my feather babies.

I noticed last night when I was cleaning the coop that one of my roos was eating feathers and had one stuck in his throat. When I picked him up his crop was really full and I noticed that he lost a lot of weight. I noticed that they were out of grit too so I filled up the bowl.

Today I went out to check on him and ALL of the grit was gone. His crop is huge and heavy and I can feel grit and feathers in it.

At the moment he is inside with me and I am massaging his crop trying to get everything loosened up but I’m not sure what else I should/can do for him.

Will he be able to process this much grit?

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Wow! I’ve never delt with an impacted crop but usually the idea is to break down what’s in there and lube up the works to get everything moving.
But what on earth could you give him to break up grit?
I would probably try some VCO for now but he may need surgical help to empty his crop.

@Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @casportpony

 

[apollora]

Thanks, I was wondering that too. What does VCO stand for?

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Virgin Coconut Oil

 

[apollora]

Ah! I have that, I will try to give him some to see if that helps.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

It has some good stuff in it and won’t hurt him to eat it. You don’t want to give him a ton and “loosen” things too much. :::aheam diarrhea::: But I would think it could help move some of the smaller particles through.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I honestly don't know if he will be able to process all the grit.

I agree with @FlyingNunFarm that Virgin Coconut Oil may help lube things up. Along with water and massage. Hopefully he will be able to move it out, but I would be concerned he may also have an impacted gizzard or blockage further down.

Your best bet is to seek vet care. I am thinking he ate all the grit in an attempt to process the feathers he ate, but that's a guess.

If you don't have vet care, there are instructions (I've never done it) for crop surgery.
Chick Chick mentions it and there are videos on youtube.

 

[apollora]

I was worried about the grit being too much for his gizzard. I will do what I can for him and try to talk the hubby into talking him to the vet.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I was worried about the grit being too much for his gizzard. I will do what I can for him and try to talk the hubby into talking him to the vet.

I know it sounds counter intuitive, but I would keep trying to get fluids into him, a little at a time. Grit and feathers aren't going to dissolve, but dehydration can make it very hard on him.

The coconut oil won't hurt him. My girls love it and will greedily eat it - I usually put a small amount in the fridge or freezer, then chop it up into small bite size chunks. Once he gets a little taste of it, hopefully he will just gobble it down for you.

 

[ronott1]

Help from the learning center--home crop surgery is included!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/29613060/?q=crop+surgery&t=ams_article&o=date