Sour Crop

[TheFirstLadiesChickens]

My 10-month-old light brahmah, Martha, has a very large bump on her chest, even very early in the morning. She leans very far over on the roost and when she walks. We’ve massaged it, top to bottom but it is still large. We are going to isolate her, not give her food, and I am going to try to whip up one of those ‘Crop Bras’ I have seen many people get help and advice on here about this same kind of thing, I just want to make sure I’m doing the right thing. Should I give her food? Apple Cider Vinegar?

 

[azygous]

I wrote this article you might find helpful. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My 10-month-old light brahmah, Martha, has a very large bump on her chest, even very early in the morning. She leans very far over on the roost and when she walks. We’ve massaged it, top to bottom but it is still large. We are going to isolate her, not give her food, and I am going to try to whip up one of those ‘Crop Bras’ I have seen many people get help and advice on here about this same kind of thing, I just want to make sure I’m doing the right thing. Should I give her food? Apple Cider Vinegar?

Hi @TheFirstLadiesChickens Welcome to BYC
If you have photos of your pullet that would be good.
Is her breath sour smelling?

It would be good to cage her within the coop or run so she is near the other chickens.
Provide her with water. I usually start with giving 1tsp coconut oil and massage the crop, see if you can break up what's in there. Here's a couple of good articles to walk you through different crop issues.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/impacted-slow-and-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments

It would be a good idea to examine her to make sure the crop issue is not a symptom of an underlying condition. When did she last lay an egg? Any bloat/fluid in the abdomen? Have you ever had a fecal float to check for worms?
Sometimes infection, reproductive issues and worms can cause inflammation/bloat and cause the digestive process to slow or function improperly.
It could be a case that she is just an over eater as well.

Keep us posted.

 

[TheFirstLadiesChickens]

Hi @TheFirstLadiesChickens Welcome to BYC
If you have photos of your pullet that would be good.
Is her breath sour smelling?

It would be good to cage her within the coop or run so she is near the other chickens.
Provide her with water. I usually start with giving 1tsp coconut oil and massage the crop, see if you can break up what's in there. Here's a couple of good articles to walk you through different crop issues.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/impacted-slow-and-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments

It would be a good idea to examine her to make sure the crop issue is not a symptom of an underlying condition. When did she last lay an egg? Any bloat/fluid in the abdomen? Have you ever had a fecal float to check for worms?
Sometimes infection, reproductive issues and worms can cause inflammation/bloat and cause the digestive process to slow or function improperly.
It could be a case that she is just an over eater as well.

Keep us posted.

Thanks you! I can’t really tell when she last laid an egg because I have 12 other hens laying the same color egg. No fluid in the abdomen, no worms in feces. I put her in our smaller chicken coop and moved it right next to the run. She seems to be doing better. The lump on her chest seems harder? Is that a good sign? Your suggestion about the overeater very well could be possible. When I gave them poultry grains the day before, her head never left the bowl, she could of eaten way too many or something. I will try to smell her breath and see if it smells sour, I will give her more water and I don’t have any coconut oil, I could pick some up though, is ACV good to use? Thank you so much for the information! This was my first time using this thread and I will definitely continue to use this! It’s good to have experienced chicken owners advice when this is your first time raising chickens! Thanks again! Maybe I can post a picture next time I get on here.

 

[TheFirstLadiesChickens]

I wrote this article you might find helpful. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Thank you! I will look into it!

 

[TheFirstLadiesChickens]

Okay, Martha is walking better but her crop is still very large. Her breath didn’t smell bad, and we moved her back in with the other hens. As soon as she went in, she ate a lot of feed. Could she just be an overeater? Would exercise or any medicine help?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Okay, Martha is walking better but her crop is still very large. Her breath didn’t smell bad, and we moved her back in with the other hens. As soon as she went in, she ate a lot of feed. Could she just be an overeater? Would exercise or any medicine help?

Was her crop empty this morning before she had anything to eat or drink?
If it was not, then read the article provided to help you figure out which type of crop issue she may have - let us know and we will help you from there.

 

[TheFirstLadiesChickens]

It was not empty, I went back and read the article again, but Martha doesn’t smell and she still eats. All of those diseases mention the hen not wanting to eat except for the pendulous one.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Try a crop bra to see if that helps. If the crop is not emptying the contents will eventually turn sour.

 

[TheFirstLadiesChickens]

Ok thanks. I will make a better one, the last one didn't work very well.