Something stuck in crop? Is there a way to help her?

[HorsesandBirds]

Hi all... I have a 3-year-old RIR hen who seems to have something stuck in her crop. Her crop area and throat are protruding, and she is visibly uncomfortable--standing in one spot and shaking her head/twisting her neck repeatedly. The first day we found her drinking water voraciously and dribbling it all down her chest. Later she seemed fine. Then the next day she was doing the head shaking again and was not going into the coop in the evening with the rest of the chickens. My husband picked her up to put her in the coop and she vomited! I didn't know chickens could vomit.

My thought is that there must be something in her crop that's preventing her from swallowing. Is there anything we can do to help her?

TIA!

 

[Muggsmagee]

There have been lots of threads on things similar to this. Search "stuck in crop" and you will find something. You can start by massaging the crop. Good luck to you...keep us posted.

 

[HorsesandBirds]

Okay, we gave her a dropperful of oil and massaged the crop. She vomited some black stuff. Now she is lying still and looking miserable.
Some more specific questions--
How much oil should we use? How often to repeat the oil and massage? Should we withhold food?

 

[HorsesandBirds]

Update--she died.

 

[Muggsmagee]

Oh NO!

I'm so sorry! I wish I had more experience with this. Is there anyone else on here that has had their own experience with something like this??? Anyone? I hope you can find some answers.

 

[PunkinPeep]

I'm so so sorry!

 

[Dora'smom]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your bird.

 

[alicefelldown]

My condolences.

For next time. How to...crop operation! WARNING GRAPHIC PICS!!!!! by BYC's own jeaucamom: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=21291

Crop Surgery Performed - Truly Graphic but Informative Pics by BYC's own ruth: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=229796

 

[ruth]

I'm so sorry - I just found your thread. It sounds like she had an impacted and sour crop that was pretty far advanced. She could have also asphyxiated on some of the black water she was throwing up.

 

[beachchickie]

Sorry for your loss. Just in case she got into something the others could get into you might if you can disect and see what it was.