sick roo...sour crop?

[hilareee]

otis is listless, hasn't crowed for 2 days. i picked him up about a half hour ago, held him head down, and massaged his crop. he puked up a good amount of bile-looking fluid. i mixed up some plain yogurt and olive oil, but he won't take it. now he's hiding in the coop with his favorite girl, just standing next to her (she's in the nest box working on an egg). his tail feathers are drooping, and he keeps closing his eyes.

he's just not his usual, bright self

any ideas on what else i could do? i feel terrible because it's probably my fault- tossing them grass bits that are too long.

 

[EastinChickens]

If you think he's really got himself clogged up, here is a link on how to operate and remove what needs to be removed.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=21291

 

[hilareee]

i was a vet tech assistant for 2 years and am not squeamish, but i don't think i could operate on a bird. is he really just looking forward to a slow and painful death?!

 

[EastinChickens]

Quote:
If his crop is still rock hard after all that puking- yes. He could have gotten grass or hay or basically anything stuck in there.
If you do operate on him- DON'T use anesthetic (spelling?) Birds don't tolerate it- instead lay him on his back and put a towel over his face. He will go to sleep that way.

 

[hilareee]

yeah, still not operating. his crop never felt rock hard, and he seems to have perked up a bit. this might just be because we let them out of the run to forage in the yard- something that rarely happens because my landlady's dog is a chaser. he is eating and drinking. so far, so good

 

[EastinChickens]

Quote:
Glad to hear it! Hope he makes it!

 

[hilareee]

he's still a bit listless, but up and eating, drinking, and pooping. he hasn't crowed in 5 days which, honestly, i don't mind.

 

[eastbaychicks]

Here's to hoping he recovers.

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

Very handsome rooster, I sure hope too that he will be fine! I lost my fav roo a short time back from an unknown cause, no animal attack but something, he was acting similar to your guy except that he seemed to want to drink alot!

 

[hilareee]

i just went out and picked him up. his crop feels bloated. i squeezed it a little, holding him head down, and the rankest stench came out.

it feels full of air and/or fluid. unfortunately he's not actually mine, and my i doubt my landlady (his owner) would want to spend money on a vet when we're not actually supposed to have roos within city limits. so...slow painful death? i paid more attention after my last post, and i don't think he's actually eating, just pecking at the ground a little. i'm so sad over this!