Sour Crop 3/4days now ? How dangerous?! Help please!

Dom95

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My hen is about a year and a half and I noticed she was acting strange this week.
There was a small lump below her vent which would be part of the intestine area. But nothing else really wrong except I noticed her laying down when free ranging more than usual.
I also noticed her poops were small and not as often. (Usually they are massive)
Her crop seemed fine until two days ago and it’s been either half full or full and completely squishy. Never fully emptied out.
Besides the small lump that’s still there, small poops and none emptying she is still active.
I’m assuming sour crop and have been treating with apple cider vinegar, coconut oil and Kefir. After I give it to her I notice she has small poops after but nothing else beyond that.
Today she drank an excessive amount of water I think in an attempt to help herself pass it.

Now I’m really worried because her crop is so full and I haven’t noticed any new poops.

I can’t get into a vet for another 2+ days. How dangerous is sour crop? And how long until it’s at a lethal stage?

Sorry we’ve really only had sour crop on two other hens but fixed after a few days.
Never had a problem for 3/4 days.

Thank you!!!
 
You said lump around vent area. Are you sure she isn't egg bound. Also I read some probiotics are good. Either way if you have some plain yogurt I'd offer a LITTLE. See how she reacts and watch your other hens.
 
You said lump around vent area. Are you sure she isn't egg bound. Also I read some probiotics are good. Either way if you have some plain yogurt I'd offer a LITTLE. See how she reacts and watch your other hens.
Yeah she had a hard molt and this lump is about an inch down and like a small ball the size of a quarter. I gave her Kefir already and it hasn’t helped. She’s the only hen currently with this
 
This "lump" you mentioned, are you sure it's not one of her pelvic bone knobs you are feeling? There is another one an inch from that one if this is what you are detecting.

But if not, this hen sure sounds egg bound, or some obstruction in the reproductive tract. It can cause crop issues because it's blocking normal digestive function, causing the crop to back up.

Is she leaking any fluids from her vent? Have you seen any cecal poop since this has been going on? Those are symptoms of obstruction.

Give her a calcium tablet, Tums if that's all you can find. But calcium citrate is the best form of calcium for this issue since it works fast.

Is your hen in a crate so you can observe her? If not, set her up in one with towels under her so you can see anything she expels. Give her plenty of water to drink. She needs to stay hydrated.
 
This "lump" you mentioned, are you sure it's not one of her pelvic bone knobs you are feeling? There is another one an inch from that one if this is what you are detecting.

But if not, this hen sure sounds egg bound, or some obstruction in the reproductive tract. It can cause crop issues because it's blocking normal digestive function, causing the crop to back up.

Is she leaking any fluids from her vent? Have you seen any cecal poop since this has been going on? Those are symptoms of obstruction.

Give her a calcium tablet, Tums if that's all you can find. But calcium citrate is the best form of calcium for this issue since it works fast.

Is your hen in a crate so you can observe her? If not, set her up in one with towels under her so you can see anything she expels. Give her plenty of water to drink. She needs to stay hydrated.
Yes I’ll attach the picture of the lump it’s fairly small. Most of my hens have stopped laying so I did t think she was egg bound and her vent looks normal beyond the lump. And she’s still running around and active for the most part.
Last night I gave her a syringe of apple cider vinegar, more coconut oil and some Kefir and she pooped for the first time bigger than the small one. Her stomach still did not empty completely but partially this morning.
I saw an article that said to keep water and food away from her for 24 hours but others that say to give her water and soft food.
I’m just not sure what to do especially if it is an egg bound problem like you said.
Thank you for the help!
 

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Egg binding can occur any time to any hen, even very old hens that haven't laid in years. In fact, egg binding occurs more often during "off" time than during the laying season when hens' systems are primed with hormones.

Giving a calcium tablet does no harm, and it could save her life. I give a calcium any time I suspect a hen might have even a small chance of having egg issues.

As for feeding or withholding food during a crop issue, it's always been my experience that hens self regulate if their crop is malfunctioning. Water is never something I withhold under any circumstances, dehydration being the worst possible issue in any chicken's life, leading to death in extreme cases.
 

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