Sour Crop

[Wyorp Rock]

Funny you should mention the thing about a change in feed. Recently, I found some sweet smelling bits of brown in the bottom of my feed bag. Looking closer, it appeared to be pieces of the deer lick that my local farm store sells. The girls love it, though, so I think this is being caused by something else—specifically, when I feed the hens, I scoop some into the feeder and then a little pile elsewhere in the coop, for the ones lower on the pecking order. I’m gonna try not to do this anymore in case that’s what the problem is.
Yup, I read the dosage in the articles. I gave Tiger two small mouthfuls today, and try that for a few days. But I noticed something else. When I picked her up, I could her this gurgling, bubble-popping sound from her crop! Is this the yeast growing or dying? I’m worried it’s going to make it difficult for her to breathe...

I agree with you, I would keep all the feed in the feeder and stop putting a pile on the floor. Feed can get moldy, contaminated, etc. if not eaten/cleaned up daily.

Sometimes you can hear noises from the crop. I would just be cautious when you pick her up for treatment, try not to put pressure on the crop if you can.
Hopefully you will begin to see improvement very soon.

 

[littlefarmgirl9]

Sometimes you can hear noises from the crop. I would just be cautious when you pick her up for treatment, try not to put pressure on the crop if you can.
Hopefully you will begin to see improvement very soon.

You said no pressure on the crop. Does his mean I shouldn’t give her a crop massage? I’ve been doing those to move the miconazole cream around, but I have sensed that she doesn’t like it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You said no pressure on the crop. Does his mean I shouldn’t give her a crop massage? I’ve been doing those to move the miconazole cream around, but I have sensed that she doesn’t like it.

No, I mean when picking her up, don't put upward pressure on the crop. Some people get a hold of them and accidentally mush the crop so the contents spill upward.

I like to stand them on a table when I massage the crop. They seem to feel more comfortable with their feet under them.

With just a sour crop, if it's not hard or impacted, massaging isn't really necessary. If she's not liking it, it may be painful, I'm not sure. Most birds don't mind the crop being manipulated.