Should I withhold food or water for pendulous crop?

[suzychappstick]

Hi all! My BCM has had crop issues in the past. Sour crop and impacted. Both I was able to clear up. However, I think now she has pendulous crop? I attached pictures from this morning. I thought maybe it was sour crop, so I put her in the garage cage and withheld water for 12 hours and food for 24. Crop went down a little but did not empty. However, she does not have stinky/sour smelling breath and is still super hungry, drinking well and was still laying eggs up until yesterday. She layed 2 while she was in the garage. I tried the bra, but her feet kept getting caught in it. I will have another go at it and place it lower so that does not happen. Question, should I still withhold food and/or water and try to get the crop to empty? If I should, how long should I withhold food and water? Or should I do little meals or feed as usual? And if I should try to get the crop to empty, should I do that on a regular basis for maintenance like once a week or every other week? Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[coach723]

How long has she had crop problems? How do droppings look? Has she ever been wormed or had a fecal test done to look for parasites? Does she have access to grit always?
When I have a crop issue I only feed water soluble foods that are easily digested. Mix her pellets or crumbles with water to make a wet mash. Crop bra's can be a bit of a challenge to get adjusted correctly. Depending your bra's style the adjustments can vary. The ones I use are a square with ties on two parallel sides of the square and I put them on with the ties going across the bird rather than up and down, and tighten the bottom tie/strap first and make it as firm as you can without being too tight. I've found that to be the best way to keep feet from getting caught. Then do the upper tie/strap and adjust it so the crop is supported, again not too tight. It may take several tries to get it right. Sometimes it stays better when after getting it on correctly I hook the two sets of straps together over her back/neck. If they are long enough you can tie them, or use some co wrap or vet wrap. I then wrap any dangeley stuff with co wrap or vet wrap to prevent pecking of the straps or any strings getting pulled. If the cause is just pendulous crop then the bra should help it empty, so see how it is after 24 hours. If it's still not emptying and you feel you have it supported well, then the problem is likely farther down the digestive tract.

 

[azygous]

She does appear to have quite the baggage. Please read this https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Hopefully, it can fill in some areas of possible confusion about crop disorders.

The best way to tell if a chicken has pendulous crop is to treat for sour crop and when the crop still refuses to empty, you can then try the bra. By checking the crop each morning before the hen eats or drinks, you will be able to tell if the crop has emptied overnight as it should. Crop bras may need a few days of adjustment to get the fit right. You will know the fit is right when the crop is emptying overnight.

There is often no bad odor associated with sour crop. The only time I've smelled a sour, rank odor is when a hen has badly impacted crop that hasn't been able to empty at all, causing the contents to spoil and sour.

There is no need to withhold food and water while treating a crop issue. Usually a chicken will self limit food during a crop issue, and they always need water regardless.

 

[suzychappstick]

How long has she had crop problems? How do droppings look? Has she ever been wormed or had a fecal test done to look for parasites? Does she have access to grit always?
When I have a crop issue I only feed water soluble foods that are easily digested. Mix her pellets or crumbles with water to make a wet mash. Crop bra's can be a bit of a challenge to get adjusted correctly. Depending your bra's style the adjustments can vary. The ones I use are a square with ties on two parallel sides of the square and I put them on with the ties going across the bird rather than up and down, and tighten the bottom tie/strap first and make it as firm as you can without being too tight. I've found that to be the best way to keep feet from getting caught. Then do the upper tie/strap and adjust it so the crop is supported, again not too tight. It may take several tries to get it right. Sometimes it stays better when after getting it on correctly I hook the two sets of straps together over her back/neck. If they are long enough you can tie them, or use some co wrap or vet wrap. I then wrap any dangeley stuff with co wrap or vet wrap to prevent pecking of the straps or any strings getting pulled. If the cause is just pendulous crop then the bra should help it empty, so see how it is after 24 hours. If it's still not emptying and you feel you have it supported well, then the problem is likely farther down the digestive tract.

Thanks for the quick response! She really isn't that old. I just got her last spring time, but crop issues started this summer. First sour crop, then impacted crop. I haven't had her dewormed, but I wonder if I should, just to be safe. She seems super health healthy otherwise. Big bright red comb, active, lays eggs daily, good appetite. Her droppings look completely normal. And yep, she airways has access to grit. Once I have another set of hands this evening, I'll try the bra the way you suggested. I think I had the fabric side closest to the legs and not the strap side.

 

[Eggcessive]

I have only treated crop issues in birds who had another illness going on, such as a reproductive disorder. To answer your question, I would always have water available to any chicken, especially with crop disorders. Water is very necessary to help move the crop contents along to the digestive system.

 

[coach723]

I found when the straps were up and down rather than across the bird the bottom tends to gap and leaves a space where the feet can get caught, putting the straps across the body helps prevent that. I've had birds walk backwards at first, and some high step until they get accustomed to it, so caught feet. Most of my crop problems have been from reproductive issues. I had one pendulous crop that was in an otherwise healthy seeming bird, so she was in a crop bra for nearly 2 years before she finally passed. I assumed hers was a genetic issue and I did not hatch eggs from her. My other had an impacted gizzard, and nothing helped. Impaction was found at necropsy.

 

[suzychappstick]

I found when the straps were up and down rather than across the bird the bottom tends to gap and leaves a space where the feet can get caught, putting the straps across the body helps prevent that. I've had birds walk backwards at first, and some high step until they get accustomed to it, so caught feet. Most of my crop problems have been from reproductive issues. I had one pendulous crop that was in an otherwise healthy seeming bird, so she was in a crop bra for nearly 2 years before she finally passed. I assumed hers was a genetic issue and I did not hatch eggs from her. My other had an impacted gizzard, and nothing helped. Impaction was found at necropsy.

Were the ones with reproductive issues still laying eggs? Mine has been laying nearly everyday

 

[BigBlueHen53]

 

[coach723]

No, my birds with reproductive issues had stopped laying. The one with pendulous crop with no obvious reason stopped for a while (I assumed stress and not getting enough to eat which caused weight loss) but started again shortly after putting the bra on. There is no 'one' cause for pendulous crop, so was just trying to say that. The fact that yours is still laying is a plus, hopefully if you can get her fit and adjusted right she will do better. You might want to start weighing her regularly (a digital kitchen scale works well) to monitor and make sure she is taking enough in.

 

[suzychappstick]

Well I actually got the bra on the way you said and it worked great. However, when my daughter was helping put in on she commented on how Luna's breath was stinky. Obviously, her nose must be better that mine. So maybe it is sour crop??? I started her back on the miconazole and probiotics in her water. I just wish our darn chickens could tell us what the heck in going on... I did leave the bra on, but not super tight at the top.