I just finished reading @Ccort’s thread about sour/slow crop and have questions about a hen with similar issues.
Bertha is a 5-year old hen in my flock of 4 barred rocks (two 5-years, two 4 years). They are all on Purina Flock Raiser crumbles and oyster shell on the side. She laid one egg during the first round of warmer-than-usual March temps this year, but none since. Last egg before that was end of summer 2025 (none in fall or winter). All dewormed with Valbazen in February.
It started with yellow poops and her separating herself/not eating as much for two days. She was also adjusting her crop a lot more than normal and it felt squishy and mostly empty whenever I checked. No smell, and her throat looked clear. I took her to the vet on 3/20 expecting antibiotics and X-ray. He thoroughly examined her and said he didn’t smell sour crop and looked down her throat but didn’t see or palpate anything. He prescribed antibiotics for the reproductive issue, but we got to talking and I forgot to ask for an X-ray for the crop/reproductive system.
On 3/26 her poops were normal but she was adjusting her crop even more, especially after eating just a small amount of food or grass/bugs. I requested an X-ray which showed a ball of grit down in her crop. Vet told me to bring her back first thing next morning to flush her crop. 3/27 they flushed it 3 times and he said another X-ray showed they got most of it. He added that there was a little grit and other particles left, but he hoped the rest would process through.
Since 3/27 she is not adjusting her crop as much, but — I think — more than normal. Eating/foraging more but still not as much as she used to. Still no smell or anything in throat. Comb is red and she’s behaving more like herself. I’ve been giving them wet food mashes frequently and Bertha prefers those to the dry.
Questions:
- Should I separate her and focus on increasing her intake or let her go at her own pace?
- Is an epsom salt flush indicated for where she’s at now?
- Should I give her coconut oil?
- Would crop massage help under these circumstances?
- Calcium to keep the plumbing moving?
Thanks for reading a somewhat long post — any input appreciated.
Rebecca
Bertha is a 5-year old hen in my flock of 4 barred rocks (two 5-years, two 4 years). They are all on Purina Flock Raiser crumbles and oyster shell on the side. She laid one egg during the first round of warmer-than-usual March temps this year, but none since. Last egg before that was end of summer 2025 (none in fall or winter). All dewormed with Valbazen in February.
It started with yellow poops and her separating herself/not eating as much for two days. She was also adjusting her crop a lot more than normal and it felt squishy and mostly empty whenever I checked. No smell, and her throat looked clear. I took her to the vet on 3/20 expecting antibiotics and X-ray. He thoroughly examined her and said he didn’t smell sour crop and looked down her throat but didn’t see or palpate anything. He prescribed antibiotics for the reproductive issue, but we got to talking and I forgot to ask for an X-ray for the crop/reproductive system.
On 3/26 her poops were normal but she was adjusting her crop even more, especially after eating just a small amount of food or grass/bugs. I requested an X-ray which showed a ball of grit down in her crop. Vet told me to bring her back first thing next morning to flush her crop. 3/27 they flushed it 3 times and he said another X-ray showed they got most of it. He added that there was a little grit and other particles left, but he hoped the rest would process through.
Since 3/27 she is not adjusting her crop as much, but — I think — more than normal. Eating/foraging more but still not as much as she used to. Still no smell or anything in throat. Comb is red and she’s behaving more like herself. I’ve been giving them wet food mashes frequently and Bertha prefers those to the dry.
Questions:
- Should I separate her and focus on increasing her intake or let her go at her own pace?
- Is an epsom salt flush indicated for where she’s at now?
- Should I give her coconut oil?
- Would crop massage help under these circumstances?
- Calcium to keep the plumbing moving?
Thanks for reading a somewhat long post — any input appreciated.
Rebecca
