Sluggish crop in older hen

[cate1124]

Hello all: I have a speckled Sussex, just turned 6, who I think has a chronically sluggish crop. She quit laying at 4, and her comb generally appears small and more blue than red. She also has mild chronic rales that have not responded to antibiotics and may be related to a slow crop. In short, she has failed to thrive while managing to stay alive and generally enjoy chicken life for the last couple of years, which I'm trying to support.

Her crop did not empty last night, so I will be massaging several times a day, will withhold scratch (which I'm guilty of overfeeding, especially in winter) and treats and make sure there's grit available, as the flock is coop bound until snow recedes. I thought I would also offer a little olive oil atop wet mash. Any other home remedy thoughts? I don't think her crop is sour or impacted, and I want to do what I can to keep either from occurring.

Thank you.

 

[Debbie292d]

Have you tried some probiotics? Especially given that you've given her an antibiotic, she would need them to straighten out her flora from that. Probiotics may help her crop issues.

We now use Kalmbach's Lifeguard granules mostly, but I've also got several probiotic powders for their water. Greek yogurt is good too.

Here are a couple of crop articles detailing many different ailments and how to treat them. If you have time to read one or both, you may come up with another idea to try too.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ntion-and-treatments-of-crop-disorders.67194/

I hope she improves! Keep us posted.

 

[cate1124]

Have you tried some probiotics? Especially given that you've given her an antibiotic, she would need them to straighten out her flora from that. Probiotics may help her crop issues.

We now use Kalmbach's Lifeguard granules mostly, but I've also got several probiotic powders for their water. Greek yogurt is good too.

Here are a couple of crop articles detailing many different ailments and how to treat them. If you have time to read one or both, you may come up with another idea to try too.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ntion-and-treatments-of-crop-disorders.67194/

I hope she improves! Keep us posted.

Yes, I regularly add powdered probiotics to their feed, and sometimes a vitamin/electrolyte powder with lactobacillus to their water. Poultry NutriDrench every few days. I will read the articles; thanks for the links.