Sour Crop death :(

[jessicaroo]

We lost our first chicken out of our flock that we started back in February. I believe she had sour crop and I kick myself for not seeing the early symptoms. I believe by the time we caught it, it was just too late. She was laying on the ground, completely out of it, weak and lethargic. Her crop was swollen so big she could barely stand. We tried massage and she ended up vomiting a very very large amount of horribly smelly brown liquid. Once she was empty, she was a little more perky but still really weak. We gave her ACV water, but by the morning, she had passed. I'm just curious if anyone has any preventative suggestions? I don't want to go through this again. Their run, coop, food is all out of the weather and kept dry. They don't free range during the winter. I gave all my hens plain yogurt today and ACV water. Any suggestions appreciated! Thank you

 

[Judy]

Here is one thread for when you find it. The prognosis for these crop issues is not good, though.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/614951/help-me-with-sour-crop-please/0_20#post_8158813

 

[Michael Apple]

Very sorry for your loss of the hen. Over the years of dealing with this issue a few times, I can give you an idea of how to prevent these problems. Digestive failure due to disease, deficient diet, intestinal parasites can all instigate crop problems. Feed the best quality ration you can that chickens find palatable. Fine bird grit or chick grit is what I mix in feed daily. A tablespoon mixed with a couple pounds of feed in a bucket works. Mix it up well before doling out in feeders. I dole out the feed in troughs and hanging feeders as needed. Give a bit of scratch every so often to exercise the gizzard. Some rolled oats on occasion is good too. It doesn't matter that grit is available in the environment. I do it anyway. Certain times of the year when grass has rapid growth, keep it cut in range areas. Long stalks and chutes are very difficult to digest. It keeps the populations of slug, snail, and bug vectors for intestinal worms down as well.

Regularly supplement water with Probios dispersible powder, and vitamins-minerals (3 days a week). Probios has superior absorption compared to others http://www.probios.com/ . Don't toss scratch feeds among shavings. Variety in diet is beneficial, but common sense determines variety. Hard fibrous foods+limited to no grit means less digestibility and stress upon the digestive system. Worm your birds with the appropriate wormer a few times a year, or depending on the condition of droppings. Garlic, ACV, cayenne pepper, DE, are not wormers, nor will those substances prevent worms. Inspect droppings often. Don't use ACV as a regular supplement regardless of all the misinformation spread about how beneficial it is. It actually depletes calcium needed by the bird, and upsets the balance of digestive flora needed in the digestive system. I won't make that an argument.

That is a quick rundown of points I follow and do not see impacted crops anymore. One more thing. Birds which are accustomed to eating from feeders, should not run out of feed. When they do, they can gorge themselves on inappropriate objects. Too high a protein content causes digestive problems and gout. Supplementing protein during molt is beneficial, but don't do it for extended periods of time. When birds are let out of an area that contains no grass, they will quickly gorge themselves on range grasses. During the Summer, when fields are dry, I supplement with young kale. Kale is rich in Vitamin A, C,D, E, K, B6, potassium, calcium, manganese. Good luck for healthy birds and no more crop troubles.

 

[Mesopotamia99]

My Chicken died today from Sour crop.. im so devestated :/

 

[Goatsanddogs]

My Chicken died today from Sour crop.. im so devestated :/

Mine did too. She act lethargic for 3-4 says. Refused to eat or drink. I gave her fresh water with apple cider vinegar. Some extra grit and calcium chips. She smelled like she was rotting from the inside out. Poor baby died in my arms. She was my elder of my flock. So sad . Sorry you lost your chicie baby too.

 

[Snugglesandwigglespetcare]

My Chicken died today from Sour crop.. im so devestated :/

How many days did she survive before passing? I’m on day four and my baby is open mouth breathing and small body twitches. I have emptied her crop numerous times over the past couple of days, but now she is just too lethargic and needs to rest, but she won’t take any water and her crop is still hard. Watching her in such a state is really hard and I’m trying to prepare myself.

 

[JsalasOceanside]

I've just lost my Hen yesterday from sour crop. I thought at first it was a large developing tumor..my thoughts were that this was an unfortunate reality that can happen and I didn't want to distress her by transporting her to a Vet and all the metal and white rooms. I resolved to keep her as comfortable as possible. Some more days went by and I looked it up. Sure enough, sour crop. I immediatley began the difficult process of holding her upside down..by this time she had already become lethargic and no longer trying to eat or drink. The process of expelling material worked but made her almost pass from shear exhaustion.

If it helps anyone, in the early days of the bulging chest, she was drinking water continuously,,as if to help her own self. I'm unable to sleep or think straight because of guilt. I should have taken action sooner. She was healthy and vibrant a week ago. The guilt is tremendous that I didn't act with antibiotics and all the other many liquids etc that are supposed to be helpful. I now have her sister of many years who is alone and confused. They were a bonded pair. I hope this helps someone..act quickly and with purpose. I thought keeping her "comfortable" was the best...it wasn't. To those who are in this, or have been, love.

 

[Bawkbok]

I've just lost my Hen yesterday from sour crop. I thought at first it was a large developing tumor..my thoughts were that this was an unfortunate reality that can happen and I didn't want to distress her by transporting her to a Vet and all the metal and white rooms. I resolved to keep her as comfortable as possible. Some more days went by and I looked it up. Sure enough, sour crop. I immediatley began the difficult process of holding her upside down..by this time she had already become lethargic and no longer trying to eat or drink. The process of expelling material worked but made her almost pass from shear exhaustion.

If it helps anyone, in the early days of the bulging chest, she was drinking water continuously,,as if to help her own self. I'm unable to sleep or think straight because of guilt. I should have taken action sooner. She was healthy and vibrant a week ago. The guilt is tremendous that I didn't act with antibiotics and all the other many liquids etc that are supposed to be helpful. I now have her sister of many years who is alone and confused. They were a bonded pair. I hope this helps someone..act quickly and with purpose. I thought keeping her "comfortable" was the best...it wasn't. To those who are in this, or have been, love.

I'm sorry you lost your hen. Crop issues are definitely scary and frustrating to manage and resolve. Please consider getting a buddy for your remaining hen. They definitely feel grief and she will need extra attention / comfort from you. It's normal to feel guilty but don't do that to yourself. These things happen. Sending hugs.

 

[JsalasOceanside]

I'm sorry you lost your hen. Crop issues are definitely scary and frustrating to manage and resolve. Please consider getting a buddy for your remaining hen. They definitely feel grief and she will need extra attention / comfort from you. It's normal to feel guilty but don't do that to yourself. These things happen. Sending hugs.

I thank you for this and I know you're right about my lone Hen. I'm just mindblown that my other could go from top level of health to yesterday's reality.

This will be hard to shake,,decision time on committing to more birds... these times really make you think about how deep you want to keep going. The one I have remaining is almost 10 yrs, healthy and still laying,,for me, it's not about her eggs,,just that she's healthy.

Again, I thank you, I had just joined this site this morning for the purpose of letting people know how crucial it can be to act early..and you were my first, one and only response. Thankful for your energy.

 

[Bawkbok]

I'm just mindblown that my other could go from top level of health to yesterday's reality.

We lost a lovely, sweet, adorable Black Australorp to egg binding and prolapsed vent that happened within a two hour window. She had been roaming the yard, ranging, pecking, scratching, sun and sand bathing and having a good time to 3 hours later, near death in the run. I tried to save her but could not. She died in my arms. It was a traumatic loss and the self doubting was over whelming. I understand what you're saying. It took me weeks to get over the sudden loss and shock of losing her. It just flippin happens is all I can say, despite our best efforts. Her best bud cried and moaned and sulked for weeks. It tore me up and broke my heart, which is what motivated me to get newbies.