Sour Crop Prevention

[Charlies Angels 2020]

I have a Cinnamon Queen, about a year old, that has sour crop about every couple of months. I give her yogurt and acv and massage her crop for a few days and she gets better. But she keeps getting sick. She is the only one. She looks so miserable and I feel horrible that I don't know how to prevent it. She lets me hold her and massage her. She sleeps and lays her head on my chest, so I know she is sick! She never smells sour or has fluid coming out her beak. But she does have watery stools during this time and last time I picked her up and massaged her and only water came out. I am scared she has a yeast infection that is not clearing, just improving. I have no chicken vets in my area. Is there anything can do to get her well and how do you prevent this? I have looked into nystatin and probiotics, but funds are limited. She is one of our best egg layers when she is well and we love her dearly! HELP?!?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Is her crop emptying overnight?

I would treat with an anti-fungal or yeast cream. Do you have a Dollar Tree or Dollar General?
Some places, stores are sort of limited in stock right now, but I have found Clotrimazole (Athlete's Feet Cream) at the Dollar Tree. $1.00 tube. I have also used it to treat crop issues on more than one occasion. DG or Walmart, you *should* be able to find it in store brand which should be cheaper. Monistat (Miconazole) would also be good to use, but I've found even store brand is a little pricier. Yes. I like $1 stuff when I can get it - I use Dollar Tree's triple antibiotic ointment on myself and animals (have for years!) and never had an issue. Sorry for the longish post.
Do the best you can in finding products that are within your budget! I do!

OK on to your hen - she's not having any issues laying eggs right? No swelling or bloat in the abdomen? I'm asking since often there is an underlying condition that goes along with crop issues. Reproductive disorders, worms, infection, etc. are a few.
I would see how she does with giving the cream first.

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

 

[Charlies Angels 2020]

Is her crop emptying overnight?

I would treat with an anti-fungal or yeast cream. Do you have a Dollar Tree or Dollar General?
Some places, stores are sort of limited in stock right now, but I have found Clotrimazole (Athlete's Feet Cream) at the Dollar Tree. $1.00 tube. I have also used it to treat crop issues on more than one occasion. DG or Walmart, you *should* be able to find it in store brand which should be cheaper. Monistat (Miconazole) would also be good to use, but I've found even store brand is a little pricier. Yes. I like $1 stuff when I can get it - I use Dollar Tree's triple antibiotic ointment on myself and animals (have for years!) and never had an issue. Sorry for the longish post.
Do the best you can in finding products that are within your budget! I do!

OK on to your hen - she's not having any issues laying eggs right? No swelling or bloat in the abdomen? I'm asking since often there is an underlying condition that goes along with crop issues. Reproductive disorders, worms, infection, etc. are a few.
I would see how she does with giving the cream first.

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

Thanks so much. I will try the cream. How much do you give and for how long? She doesn't seem to have any other issues. But I can tell since she started with the crop issues, she is not as fat as her sister. She has always been one of those chickens that trails off by herself alot.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks so much. I will try the cream. How much do you give and for how long? She doesn't seem to have any other issues. But I can tell since she started with the crop issues, she is not as fat as her sister. She has always been one of those chickens that trails off by herself alot.

1/2" of cream twice a day. I follow Carol's article and use Clotrimazole instead of Miconazole.
Initially I roughly measure the cream on some waxed paper, then draw it up into a small needless syringe making note of the "measurement" on the syringe. This way I can just draw right from the tube and get the cream into the bird more easily.
I do purchase small syringes in bulk and they have lasted for years, works great to give drops of water to chicks, measure meds, etc. but if you only need 1 or 2 ask your local pharmacist if they can give you an infant syringe (without the needle). Some are more than happy to give you a couple (depending on where you live).

If this resolves it, then all will be well, but if you find that the crop issue continues, then consider deworming her. Safeguard (Fenbendazole) would be good to use. You can use the liquid goat wormer or the Equine paste. The paste will be a little more economical, but likely would only treat 1-2 birds depending on weight since it's a fairly small tube.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/