Soft to Hard Crop overnight

[FreedomGalTx]

Almost 3yr old who has never had a problem. Free range in backyard with grit & calcium in run open all day. Yesterday morning realized her crop was still night time full( I think the day before too). She was by herself for the 1st time ever. Isolated. Gentle massage, yeast cream olive oil only water(didn't see her drink) Evening gentle massage again, olive oil. At bedtime put her to roost last so she wouldn't be alone. Just got her out and yes the crop is less full, she pooped 3x skinny poop and laid an egg in isolation but looked like another yolk no shell came too. This morning her crop is like a small ping pong ball. Hard not squishy at all. What did I do wrong? She's back in isolation. First time she's ever really not contested being held. Gave her as much coconut oil( solid) aas I could. 3 beaks full, and yeast med again. I've never had one go hard like this. What now please.

 

[TOMTE]

Could she have eaten something inedible that's stuck in the crop? Any bits of plastic or metal or anything she could have scratched up from the ground?

How is she acting? Lethargic at all? Tail down? Feathers puffed up? Does she look like she's feeling miserable?

Can you post pictures of her and her poop?

What are you feeding them?

Is she eating and drinking on her own?

Tagging some educators to help.

@Eggcessive @azygous @Wyorp Rock

 

[Eggcessive]

Crops are normally full and firm at bedtime. But it should be mostly empty by morning. You can offer more coconut oil and let her drink water. Massage the firm material several times a day.

 

[FreedomGalTx]

Could she have eaten something inedible that's stuck in the crop? Any bits of plastic or metal or anything she could have scratched up from the ground?

How is she acting? Lethargic at all? Tail down? Feathers puffed up? Does she look like she's feeling miserable?

Can you post pictures of her and her poop?

What are you feeding them?

Is she eating and drinking on her own?

Tagging some educators to help.

@Eggcessive @azygous @Wyorp Rock

 

[FreedomGalTx]

Organic crumble access. Grass. Yes they scratch up crazy stuff. Yesterday just felt like my other last year, grass I guess. Now just a one inch hard ball near the top crop. Put a dab of plain yogurt with coconut oil ( it's solid) and she started eating it. Haven't seen her drink. I'm post op and alone. I can try & move her to the mancave where I can see her more. Poop looked like thin but I've seen those from others before. Did see liquid urea with no poop. I'll try to get pics

 

[FreedomGalTx]

Wow I wish this was an app or easier. Keeps signing me out. Saw her drink. Are all coconut

 

[FreedomGalTx]

It would take me time & effort to get her in the mancave with electric but I will if you think it's better. It's just cool in south texas

 

[TOMTE]

She doesn't look bad, physically. She looks nice and alert in those pictures. I maybe see a little blood in the feces? It could be shed intestinal lining which is normal, but it could be parasites. I don't know if I'd worry about moving her in your condition, unless she takes a turn for the worse and needs 24/7 observation.

It could be that she's starting to molt (some of her feathers look a bit raggedy, and it is about that time of year) so she's just not feeling too great. Besides the wonky egg you mentioned, has she slowed down laying at all lately?

 

[FreedomGalTx]

She doesn't look bad, physically. She looks nice and alert in those pictures. I maybe see a little blood in the feces? It could be shed intestinal lining which is normal, but it could be parasites. I don't know if I'd worry about moving her in your condition, unless she takes a turn for the worse and needs 24/7 observation.

It could be that she's starting to molt (some of her feathers look a bit raggedy, and it is about that time of year) so she's just not feeling too great. Besides the wonky egg you mentioned, has she slowed down laying at all lately?

She is one of 2 that have never molted. The rest are finishing up. Her eggs have been every other day sometimes lately but my husband passed away and he spent more time with them since he was retired. It seemed to affect them all for a bit. I just want the hard lump to pass. I feel like I made it worse by massaging since it got hard after that. More poop today than yesterday so I'll keep her in there and try to massage in a couple of hours and give more coconut oil. Then try again in the afternoon. Keep her off food for now. Thanks

 

[TOMTE]

If you're able to make a wet mash for her or even some scrambled eggs, something soft like that should pass through the crop more easily. Maybe feed her just a little at a time to make sure nothing is getting backed up in there again.

Don't feel bad about potentially making the problem worse (I'm not convinced you have, but either way). They can't tell us what's wrong so we have to use our best judgement, which isn't always right, but it's all we can do. The fact that she looks bright eyed and alert despite feeling yucky makes me think she'll be just fine, just keep at it and follow any advice the educators give you.