Sour crop

[City Farmer Jim]

Its back...what is everyone's best advice. We have a hen who had "sour crop" thst successfully was cured(I think) ..she has it again. Last time I gently massaged her crop and after 2 ish treatments like that she was back to her old self. I am wondering if it can be a brand of food? I occasionally get 40 lbs from TSC but normally get it from a local fsrm store. Im really wondering if TSC feed is the culprit. I cant swear to it but I think it was TSC feed last time she had sour crop. Thanks you in advance for any helpful tips...

 

[All4Eggz]

@azygous,@EggSighted4Life, @Eggcessive, or @Wyorp Rock may be able to help.
Good luck!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Crop problems are often a symptom of an underlying condition. Reproductive disorders, worms, infection and/or coccidiosis are a few causes.

Treat symptoms for a full 7 days as described in the article below. Even if you see improvement in a day or two, treatment needs to continue.

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

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Crop problems are often a symptom of an underlying condition.

Including Marek's.

I've bought food from TSC all along and never yet experienced sour crop. Which I think is caused by stasis/blockage and does not occur on it's own. Noting also that if the feed is causing issues for ONE hen only and not the rest of the flock.. the issue still lies in the individual. Of course many of us keepers will make adjustment to the entire flock to help an individual that needs a little extra something.. OR they could be like a canary in the coal mine, early detection/warning system.. BUT I still doubt it was the feed.

Im really wondering if TSC feed is the culprit.

Treats are more suspect than standard feed stuff. But maybe consider keeping a log of this condition, the feeding routine, and other such details like weather pattern.. in order to be able to make some real comparison of clues. Sometimes it is caused by the bedding material like a piece of hay or even too long of a grass blade getting bunched up in the crop.

Last time I gently massaged her crop and after 2 ish treatments like that she was back to her old self.

So massaging will help impacted crop but it won't do anything for the yeast infection that causes the "sour" crop. Hopefully the link provided by the previous poster will be super helpful for you!

Hoping for a speedy recovery and NO recurrence!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Including Marek's.

As a whole, Marek's could cause a lot of different symptoms including the slowing of a crop.
Looking at the OP's other thread a while back about their sick hen (assuming it's the same one), the issue was likely not resolved. 2 1/2 year old hen free ranging laying hen, likely a reproductive issue. Could be worms or a combo of things.
Treating Symptoms, is just about all anyone can do and see if it helps.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/sick-hen.1513070/

 

[City Farmer Jim]

I'm sad to report this but Daffodil our orpington with the sour crop has passed on to the free range in the sky. We have a screened in patio and she and I sat out there where I was trying to comfort her...she went silently to sleep around 2 AM and she didn't wake. She survived a dog attack about a year and a half ago...thought maybe she was a super Chicken.

Thank you ALL SO MUCH for the advice...my coop won't be the same without her...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry to hear that

 

[City Farmer Jim]

Is there any way of early detection or prevention of sour crop ? It has taken us by complete surprise.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Check crops first thing in the morning before the birds have had anything to eat or drink.
If someone's hasn't emptied overnight. Start out by giving coconut oil twice that day, then re-check again next morning.

As mentioned in the article and in the previous posts, crop problems are usually a Symptom of an underlying condition or disease.
Observing your hens as they move about during the day and becoming familiar with each one's individual behaviors/mannerisms/habits will help you to see something a little earlier and you may be able to start treating symptoms early. This is not guarantee that a hen will recover fully, but you may be able to extend life for a while depending on the cause, by offering treatment and supportive care.

 

[City Farmer Jim]

We have found a way ease the sadness of losing several chicken this spring...NEW CHICS
Please meet the newest members of SNOWFLAKE FARM...